Perhaps Disney's best attempt to make a heroine as tough as possible, Mulan tells an age-old legend so old that it's origin is almost in myth. Hua-Mu-Lan is a Chinese war hero, Disney's attempt to declare its sincerest respect for the ledgend, and to attempt another Pocahontas-style history lesson again.
On the surface it would appear that in fact, Disney's Mulan was a good attempt at creating a comendable female leading role. But on examining more closely, we can see that all the usual codes and conventions have been used.
The real Hua-Mu-Lan had no interest in romance, but in the Disney version, the leading lady falls for her commanding officer to the delight of her family and friends. So although she returns home a hero, honouring the family name, her motivation for doing so is purely responding to the patriarchal figures that command her.
Mulan is ruled by her father, and then later by her officer Shang. Even the ending of the film shows that in the world of Disney, a good-looking boyfriend is the measure of a happy ending. |
