Barnes & Noble

With its re-creations of deleted scenes, insightful commentaries, music videos, interactive games, and enlightening production history, this two-disc Special Edition brings honor to Mulan, Disney's historical adventure from 1998. Mulan, the subject of an enduring Chinese folktale, fits perfectly among the current generation of Disney heroines -- like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and Pocahontas, she’s not content to wait for her prince to come. Mulan is a headstrong, independent woman who rebels against the role society has dictated for her. Despite her best efforts, Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wien) is hardly "perfect bride" material. Not at all demure, graceful, or poised, she fulfills her destiny when, to save her frail father, she risks disgracing her family's honor by impersonating a man and fighting the marauding Huns. A pre-Donkey Eddie Murphy breathes fire into his scenes as Mushu, her diminutive dragon guardian. The first animated feature produced at Disney's Orlando animation facility, Mulan is a ravishing blend of traditional and computer animation, with several thrilling battle sequences. The music videos included in this set represent the most familiar songs from the Oscar-nominated score: "Reflection" is performed by Christina Aguilera; the rousing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" is sung (in Cantonese) by Jackie Chan; and the irresistible "True to Your Heart" is represented both in its original music-video form -- featuring 98 Degrees and Stevie Wonder - and as a remake by Raven. Just as Mulan finds her place in the world, so does Mulan take its rightful place in the Disney pantheon. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale, this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17-year Disney veteran Barry Cook (Captain EO, Tron, Trail Mix-Up) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher (Balto), and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall, young Mulan (Ming-Na Wen, with singing by Lea Salonga) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad, "Reflection," as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns, a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh) volunteers, she objects. He warns, "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan, however, cuts her hair, dresses as a man, and is ready for military camp, prompting the concern of her First Ancestor (George Takei), who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18-inch high comedic dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). With Mushu hidden in her clothing, she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang (B.D. Wong, singing by Donny Osmond). During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass, Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200,000-square-foot Orlando facility (now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida). Bhob Stewart

Product Details

• UPC: 786936157154
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Language: English
• Editions: Special Edition
• Time: 1:28:00
• Sales Rank: 668

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