Watching this, at first I thought it was a bad movie. Then I had a realization. This isn't a remake of the cartoon, it's not a princess movie, it's not a fairytale, it's not the normal way Disney does folklore. Live action Mulan is a Samurai movie. It's got the sword fighting, the improbably/impossible acrobatic fighting, historical setting, honor, and even magic/mysticism.
Of course the problem with that is that Samurai are Japanese, not Chinese. So, it's more accurate to call it a Martial Arts Action Movie set in a fantasy version of ancient China.
The quasi-historical setting has some problems too. Disney has a tendency to pick and choose things based on aesthetics rather than historic accuracy in their stories. They need to make better use of cultural experts so as to avoid problems like this. In this case, that round village house that she lived in wouldn't have been built until several centuries after the story of Mulan was supposed to take place. Also, it was in an entirely different region of China. So, that part isn't great.
Personally, I think if you go into it expecting a martial arts, action movie you'll probably like it okay. But you need to have that expectation going into it. If you are expecting something like the cartoon, you'll be in the wrong mindset to enjoy it because you'll be expecting entirely the wrong genre.
As for the plot, I like that it doesn't end in her getting married. It actually ends in her getting a job offer that uses her skills and brings honor to her family. And I like that they didn't repeat the cartoon version's cross-dressing for comic effect which is super cringy now.
I don't think it's a great Disney movie, but so long as you are in the right mindset going into it, it is enjoyable.
Of course the problem with that is that Samurai are Japanese, not Chinese. So, it's more accurate to call it a Martial Arts Action Movie set in a fantasy version of ancient China.
The quasi-historical setting has some problems too. Disney has a tendency to pick and choose things based on aesthetics rather than historic accuracy in their stories. They need to make better use of cultural experts so as to avoid problems like this. In this case, that round village house that she lived in wouldn't have been built until several centuries after the story of Mulan was supposed to take place. Also, it was in an entirely different region of China. So, that part isn't great.
Personally, I think if you go into it expecting a martial arts, action movie you'll probably like it okay. But you need to have that expectation going into it. If you are expecting something like the cartoon, you'll be in the wrong mindset to enjoy it because you'll be expecting entirely the wrong genre.
As for the plot, I like that it doesn't end in her getting married. It actually ends in her getting a job offer that uses her skills and brings honor to her family. And I like that they didn't repeat the cartoon version's cross-dressing for comic effect which is super cringy now.
I don't think it's a great Disney movie, but so long as you are in the right mindset going into it, it is enjoyable.