Mulan (1998)

MULAN is too tidy to be entirely enjoyable.  Despite a generous 
Laugh Quotient (LQ), some ground-breaking gender twists, and a re-
markable degree of ethnic authenticity, Disney's umpteenth animated 
feature so strictly adheres to formula that it never once feels 
fresh.  The trash-talking sidekick (a tiny dragon voiced by Eddie 
Murphy) borders on being stale from the start, as do the anthropo-
morphized animals, as do the CGI-enhanced action sequences, as do 
the slapstick musical numbers.  (The ballads are boring; the show-
stoppers only OK.  Jerry Goldsmith's score, however, is excellent.)  
You'll laugh; you'll look at your watch.  (And, once again, Walt 
wraps it in 90 minutes or less.  Amazing.)  With voice credits 
including Ming-Na Wen, Lea Salonga, B.D. Wong, Donny Osmond, Harvey 
Fierstein, Pat Morita, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, and Marni Nixon.  
(Rated "G"/85 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 1998 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: Just a Quickie