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Farah Makram

Professor Clark

ENGW 1111

25 March 2021

Making a Warrior Out of You

A female role unlike any other, self-reliant and courageous. A Disney princess that has

allowed a female role to take on the responsibility of a warrior as well as a daughter. Released on

June 19, 1998, Mulan is an animated musical drama film directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry

Cook (“Mulan (1998)”). The film received positive criticism as Mulan became the first Asian

Princess. The film has received several nominations for Oscars and Golden Globes awards and

has received several Annie Awards (IMDb 1998 Awards). Journalist Todd McCarthy also points

out, “Mulan’ reps a full turn of the circle from age-old Disney classics as Snow White and the

Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, in which passive heroines were rescued by

blandly noble princes.” (McCarthy). Mulan is based on the Chinese folk tale Ballad of Mulan.

Originating in the Northern Wei period, a young girl takes her father’s place in the army. The

folk tale was created in response to women receiving greater independence (Mark). While the

1998 film brought forth one of the strongest female characters, Disney’s primary audience was

younger viewers. On the other hand, the Disney remake Mulan (2020) ‘s intended audience is

thirteen years and older as the movie ratings is PG-13. Mulan (2020) was released on March 9,

2020 and was directed by Niki Caro (“Mulan (2020)”). The live- action remake was released 22

years after the original Mulan (1998) was released. The remake has received several Oscar and

BAFTA award nomination and has revied The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Action

Movie (IMDb 2020 Awards). Although remakes are expected to provide of a sense of nostalgia,
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the director’s creative vision caused changes. A journalist from the New York Vulture, Alison

Willmore states, “Mulan doesn’t sing “Reflection” anymore. In fact, no one sings in the new

live-action remake… has more going on in terms of creative vision and getting beyond the lure

of nostalgia” (Willmore). The stylistic changes in the live- action remake have directly reflected

how gender and ethics are portrayed.

Although Mulan is the first warrior princess, Mulan’s character development in the

original, Mulan (1998), represents a stereotype of a weak female character. Mulan’s skills are

only exposed after she was told to leave. Mulan is falling behind her fellow soldiers as

Commander Li Shang tells Mulan, “Pack up, go home, you're through.” (Bancroft and Cook)

The idea that Mulan was not born to be a skillful warrior is implemented in the amount of

struggles she faced when compared to the other soldiers. Furthermore, the scene that the

Commander decides to throw her out of the army, Mulan is seen laying on the floor while the

commander tower in front. This scene portrays Mulan as an inferior character because of her lack

of strength. The weak female stereotype that has been given to Mulan, is also portrayed at the

end of the movie. As Mulan warns the army they are in danger, Commander Li Shang tells

Mulan to leave for a second time, “You don't belong here, Mulan. Go home.” This is after

Mulan’s identity was revealed. The commander chose not to believe Mulan because of her

gender. It was unacceptable for a commander to listen to a female solider as Mulan was deemed

untrustworthy. Overall, Mulan’s character was portrayed as weak and untrustworthy when

compared to the male soldiers.

Contrastingly, in Mulan (2020), the stylistic changes made by the directors toward

Mulan’s character development was drastically different. In the remake, Mulan is portrayed as an

equal with the male soldiers, until she exceeds their skill. At the start of the movie all the soldiers
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struggled equally. Mulan also struggled but quickly built skill and hid her skill to eliminate

exposure. A fellow solider, Yoson An, credits Mulan by saying, “I can't believe all this time

you've been keeping your skill a secret.” (Caro). He states this after Mulan beats him in a stick

battle. Mulan skillfully used her speed and strength to beat her opponent during practice. Not

only does Mulan keep up with rest of the male soldiers, but she is also being recognized for her

skill. Mulan holds strength and proficiency as a female character. She has broken the weak

female stereotype that resides in the original animated film. The audience is allowed to look up

to a female character that was not developed as weak, in contrast as strong and resilient.

Furthermore, as Mulan is apologizing to her father at the end of the movie for stealing his sword

an armor her father apologizes to her. He states, “And it is I should apologize. My foolish pride

drove you away. One warrior knows another. You were always there... yet I see you for the first

time.” For an elder to humble himself and apologize to his daughter, Mulan’s father shows an

immense amount of respect to Mulan. He also recognizes her as a warrior. This is unlike the

original where Mulan’s father only mentions his gratitude of having her as a daughter.

Costuming also adds to Mulan’s warrior projection at the end of the movie. In the remake she

comes back to her village in her solider uniform. This is unlike the original movie as she is seen

coming back in a traditional gown. In the remake, Mulan has embodied the role of warrior in

every way. She is not being recognized as a warrior as well as daughter.

Ethics is a major component in both the original and the remake. In Mulan (1998) there is

a distinct focus on becoming “a man” through strength and discipline. Commander Li Shang is

seen telling his solider, “Mister, I'll make a man out of you.” (Bancroft and Cook). This focus

remains evident throughout the movie as the soldiers struggled to live up to the idea of being a

man. The clear message of this virtue in the original allows the audience to assume that to
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become a skillful solider you must become a man. Strength and discipline are what is asked of

the soldiers during training. As Commander Shang holds two weights, he explains to the

soldiers, “This represents discipline. And this represents strength.” Although Mulan has strength

and discipline the ethics of the film does not allow her to be seen as skillful solider. She simple

cannot be a man because of her gender no matter how skillful she is.

In Mulan (2020), on the other hand, the ethics or virtues include being loyal, brave, true,

and having devotion to family. These are qualities that both genders can possess throughout the

film. During training the commander is seen teaching the solider the virtues, he states “Draw

sword! - Loyal. - Loyal! - Brave. - Brave! - True. - True! Return swords!” (Caro). Mulan works

through each of these virtues throughout the movie until she possesses them all. Unlike the

original, her gender does not get into the way of being seen as skillful solider. There is an

emphasis on Mulan development in possessing truth as a virtue. As a female in an only male

army, she works on becoming true to her identity. A fellow solider gives her credit to this by

reminding the commander “She risked everything by revealing her true identity. She's braver

than any man here.” The shift in virtues, introduces qualities that are deeper than the ones in

Mulan (1998), as they require deep character development to achieve. Overall, the ethics in the

remake creates a whole rounded Mulan character while the ethics in the original asks of aspects

that Mulan cannot achieve because of her gender.

The themes gender and ethics are evident in both films Mulan (1998) and the remake

Mulan (2020). The remake however possesses changes that correct stereotypes in the original

and add a deeper meaning to the storyline. Mulan’s character has been developed as strong and

resilient as she is seen as a skillful warrior. The increase of importance on a number of virtues

allows the remake to have a deeper message for its viewers. As the first warrior Disney Princess,
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Mulan holds a great deal of importance in how a female role should be portrayed. A future

prediction includes the production of Mulan 2, it is plausible that Disney will produce a sequel to

the live action remake. In Addition, as other Disney princess are being produced, female

characters like Mulan, can continue to be portrayed as self-reliant and courageous.

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Works Cited

Bancroft, Tony and Cook, Barry, directors. Mulan (1998). Walt Disney Pictures, 1998.

Caro, Niki, director. Mulan (2020). Walt Disney Pictures, 2020.

Mark, Joshua J. “Mulan: The Legend Through History.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient

History Encyclopedia, 10 Mar. 2021, www.ancient.eu/article/1596/mulan-the-legend-

through-history/.

McCarthy, Todd. "Film Reviews: 'Mulan' Blazes New Femme Territory." Variety (Archive:

1905-2000) Jun 08 1998: 66,66, 73. ProQuest. Web. 5 Mar. 2021 .

“Mulan (1998).” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/fullcredits/?

ref_=tt_ov_st_sm.

“Mulan (1998).” IMDb 1998 Awards, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/awards.

“Mulan (2020).” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt4566758/fullcredits/?

ref_=tt_ov_st_sm.

“Mulan.” IMDb 2020 Awards, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt4566758/awards.

Willmore, Alison. “Mulan Is a Dour Drag of a Movie (But a Fascinating Cultural Object).”

Vulture, Vulture, 4 Sept. 2020, www.vulture.com/article/review-disneys-mulan-with-liu-

yifei-donnie-yen-gong-li.html.