Should Mulan be judged as history or entertainment?

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Mulan Should Be Judged as Family Entertainment, Not Historical Accuracy

The film Mulan is best evaluated as a piece of family entertainment rather than for its historical or cultural accuracy. The primary criteria for judging the movie should be whether the audience enjoyed the story, action, and drama, and if they left the cinema feeling a sense of upliftment. While the film offers comedic and dramatic moments, its action sequences, particularly the hand-to-hand combat, are considered sub-par and fall short of the standards set by other martial arts films.
Enjoyment as a Measure of Success

The author proposes that Mulan should be assessed based on its ability to entertain, suggesting that viewers should consider their enjoyment of the narrative, the dramatic elements, and the action sequences. The ultimate measure of its success, in this view, is whether it leaves the audience feeling "happier" after viewing. While not deemed "amazing," the film is considered to have met the basic requirements for family entertainment without bringing "dishonour."
Comedic and Dramatic Elements

The film incorporates humour, with some scenes like the matchmaker sequence and the military camp antics eliciting laughter from younger audiences. The dramatic aspects are intended to be emotionally resonant, particularly towards the film's conclusion, where a father acknowledges his daughter's sacrifice. Central themes such as loyalty, bravery, truth, and devotion to family are highlighted, presented as potentially counter-cultural in a society that may emphasize individualism.
Action Sequences: A Mixed Assessment

The action in Mulan is a point of contention. While sequences involving acrobatics, horse-riding, and sword-play are praised for their visual flair and tribute to Chinese acrobatics, the hand-to-hand combat scenes are criticized as inadequate. The author suggests that Disney needs to improve the realism and impact of its kungfu action choreography, noting that the fighting styles lacked the intensity and engagement found in films by actors like Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The underutilization of actors like Donnie Yen and Jet Li is also noted.

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Should Mulan be judged as history or entertainment?

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