I love Disney movies and I am not ashamed to say that to this day, I will turn on "Beauty and the Beast," "Fox and the Hound," "The Lion King" or any other Disney movie. However, there is one that is my favorite above every other one that I have ever watched. I have watched it countless times and probably know every line in the movie (you can ask any of my friends that when you walk into my room at school if I am watching Netflix, then I am probably watching "Mulan.") In my opinion, "Mulan" is the most underrated Disney movie ever made. The music, the messages, the silliness and the sincerity of the movie is just perfect. Here are some of the reasons why Mulan is the best movie.
The Messages.
There are numerous messages in this amazing movie. Mulan left behind her family knowing that if she was found out she could be murdered and if she wasn't found out there still a possibility of never going back home. She followed her heart and became one of the first feminine heroes of the world.
Mushu was one of the insignificant dragons and the ancestors had no faith in him. After breaking the Great Stone Dragon, Mushu took it upon himself to do the work of a dragon who was supposed to be much better than him and he got Mulan through the war and she was the war hero.
You are more than what people think. Chinese tradition told Mulan that the only way she could honor her family was by impressing the Matchmaker and marrying well. That was never what she was destined for and she knew it. The only person who knows exactly what you are worth is yourself and you may just be what the world needs.
The Music.
Not only is the music catchy but it also carries weight within the movie. "Reflection" is the song right after the Matchmaker tells her she will never bring honor to her family. She recognizes that she will never be what tradition tells her to be and struggles with that. She wants to make her father happy but she also does not want to live her life miserably.
"I'll Make A Man Out of You" starts with the soldiers and Mulan not knowing how to do any of the work that they needed to know how to do. During the song, Mulan learns that she cannot get anywhere by attempting to cheat her way out of it. By the end of the song, she uses her brains and finds out that being a soldier takes work.
The Silliness and the Sincerity.
Somehow the writers managed to create the perfect balance of silliness and sincerity. They bring up real issues that women in China faced during that period, while also making it enjoyable to watch. My personal favorite is when Mulan's grandmother crosses a busy intersection with only the luck of her cricket guiding her.
If you have never seen "Mulan," I highly recommend you watch it. Just know that when you watch it once, it is impossible not to want to watch it 100 more times!
