Mulan

I was really disappointed when I found out that Mulan was going to stream on Disney+ for a premium fee rather than have a theatrical release.  My problem was not with the $29.99 fee because, in my opinion, Disney can charge whatever they want for something they created and it’s up to people to decide whether or not they want to pay to see it.  Rather, my objection was based on the fact that a movie that looked so visually stunning in previews wouldn't be seen the way it was meant to be seen which is definitely on the big screen.  I really hope this doesn't become the model for future releases.  Now that I have seen it I am even more disappointed that I didn't get to experience it on an IMAX screen because it is absolutely amazing!  I loved it and I think it might be my favorite Disney live-action remake because it takes broad strokes from the original animated classic but turns the story into something that feels new and different with a more dramatic tone and weightier themes.  When one man from every family is conscripted to the Imperial Army to fight against the invader Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee), Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei) feels it is her duty to take the place of her ailing father (Tzi Ma) and disguises herself as a man to train under Commander Tung (Donnie Yen).  She has been told her whole life to hide her powerful life force, or "chi," to avoid bringing dishonor to her family but she eventually learns that the only way to save her country and her Emperor (Jet Li) is to be true to herself.  What a great message!  I loved the introduction of the character Xianniang (Gong Li), an ally of Bori Khan who is considered to be a witch because of her powerful chi, as a foil to Mulan because they both struggle to find their place in a world where they do not fit in but they follow different paths.  The resolution between the two of them is one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.  I also really like the fact that the romance between Mulan and Chen Honghui (Yosun An), another recruit, is downplayed so that he is more of an ally who stands up for her when her identity is discovered.  This is another very powerful scene (although my sister wanted more romance).  As I mentioned previously, the tone of this movie is much more dramatic so some of the lighthearted humor, especially the fish-out-of-water jokes when Mulan is forced to room with the other male recruits, falls a little flat but this is a minor criticism.  The scale of this movie is epic and the action sequences are absolutely spectacular with elaborately choreographed sword fights and gravity-defying aerials.  The costumes and sets are gorgeous to look at and, while the songs from the original are missing, the score pays homage to them and provides the necessary emotional reference, especially bits and pieces of "Reflection."  I really enjoyed this movie, and I highly recommend it, but I think I would have enjoyed it more in the theater!