( Yes, I know that this is my Kdrama blog and maybe if I create a Cdrama blog I will transfer this post over there but, for now this is the best place to do this analysis.)
Hua Mulan is a legend which is possibly to be based on a real story although no one can tell for sure. The legend was about honor for the family and the country. I enjoyed reading English translations of the two most common written versions of Mulan: The Ballad of Mulan,and The Fallen Sakura. The animated Disney classic, strays away from either version of the legend and makes the story of Mulan about more protecting the family and not fitting in with everyone else but, using your smarts to outsmart the enemy. Which I guess is okay, but I never wanted a live action remake that followed this version. So, I was glad when they announced they wanted to make it more real and like the legend of Mulan.
My dream live action version of Mulan is similar to The Great Wall movie: cool clothes, bright colors, and lots of action and strategy. This is what I wanted going into watching the movie. But, as people kept giving Mulan bad reviews I felt it was best to watch the other live action versions of Mulan before I saw the Disney version.
In this way, I could give an analysis on what each of them gave us and figure out what the Disney Mulan gave to the audience that was special.
Since some of the movies made of Mulan cannot be watched anymore I decided to stick to those I could easily watch online with subs:
Mulan Joins the Army (1939)- This was a remake of a film that had been made a couple of times before, but, this version I could find easily on youtube. This is the only black and white film on the mix.
What it brought to the table: This black and white movie is very comedic and has a romance, lighthearted and gritty and realistic like later adaptations.
Please read reviews on Letterboxd to get more in depth.
Lady General Hua Mu-lan (1964 film)- This is an opera musical and the only one based on Mulan that I could actually watch on youtube easily. This movie was such a delight to watch.
What it brought to the table: Comedy. Cute romance. Emotions show by clothes. Singing. Follows the Ballad of Mulan as closely as it can. Only Hong Kong version.
Mulan (2009 film)- Also known as Rise of the Warrior. This is as realistic as they are going to get. This was mostly based on the second version of the Tale of Mulan:
Sad ending, but, super impactful and it makes a lot of sense. Frankly, I kind of wish Disney had taken this story for their live action movie and made their twist based on this plot. It is a war story. Often we forget that Mulan was a war veteran and that wars are brutal.
What it brought to the table: Realism. The Horror of War. The pain of Death. Brutal Honesty.
Matchless Mulan (无双花木兰) (2020) - People actually know she is a girl in this version because they are from her village. When new recruits and herself are ordered to rescue the prince, Yuan Hong, she realizes that she must fight to protect her loved ones.
What it brought to the table: The plot was made up of different smaller missions. More realistic approach, but, only spends a few minutes with her being a woman at the begining.
Read the reviews on this page for more in depth:
https://mydramalist.com/61011-matchless-mulan
Mulan Legend (2020) - This was just trying to capitalize on Mulan and truly was a different sort of story.
What it brought to the table:
Wuxia-style action adventure that re-imagines the life of Mulan of folklore as a military general instead of a soldier. She goes on a mission to rescue a princess.
Best review of this version is the only review on it's mydramalist profile page: https://mydramalist.com/68119-mulan-desert-rescue
Mulan Disney (2020)- Suppose to be based on the animation they made years before, but instead is not, they took out music, and added a random evil witch for a Mulan to fight.
What it brought to the table: Nothing, except for the fact we know they filmed on reeducation camps in China. Went along with the message of the CCP eventhough, they did not have to because they are in America and not China. Worst ever. Had the main Chinese American actress talk about about Hong Kong.
Here are the list of actresses that played Mulan in the different versions:
Mulan joins the army 1939:Chen Yunshang
Matchless Mulan 2020: Hu Xue Er
Disney Mulan 2020: Liu Yifei
Which actress I liked best:
Zhao Wei from the Mulan (2009).
What storyline was my favorite:
Lady General Hua Mulan
Mulan (2009)
Which ones I would recommend:
For those that like Musicals: Lady General Hua Mulan
For those that like Realistic war movies: Mulan (2009)
