Disney’s Mulan – Review

Disney’s Mulan – Budget of $200 million – 1 hour and 55 minutes

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Hua Zhou sees his daughter, Mulan, who has a strong connection to the qi inside her, practicing her martial arts skills.  She can defy gravity and become an unstoppable force with her connection.  However, he knows tradition says the qi is for men.  If Mulan uses it, she will be labeled a witch and shunned.  So, he tells Mulan to hide her gifts and bring honor to the family by marrying.  Years later, Mulan has an appointment to see the matchmaker.  The wise woman will find a suitable husband for Mulan.  During the ceremony, Mulan sees a spider.  She knows her sister, Xiu, has arachnophobia, so she tries to hide the spider under the teapot.  Moving the teapot to the wrong spot goes against tradition, so the matchmaker orders Mulan to move the teapot.  Xiu sees the spider, flips the table, and dishes fly everywhere.  Mulan, connecting to her qi, catches the tea set, but she slips and drops it.  The matchmaker tells Zhou the Hua family has failed to raise a good daughter, and Mulan brought shame to his family.  Shamed, Mulan leaves the matchmaker with Xiu and her mother, Li, and sees the Imperial Army entering their village.  Bori Khan, a Rouran warrior, is on a mission to destroy Imperial China to avenge his father’s death.  He has Xhin Lang protecting him.  Xhin Lang was labeled a witch and cast out of her village because she connected with her qi.  Khan offered her acceptance if she protects him in battle.  With Khan moving closer to the Imperial City, the Emperor must stop him.  The Army delivers the Emperor’s decree that every family should give one son to fight the war.  Now, Zhou, a decorated and injured soldier, steps up because he has no sons.  Mulan tries to run to Zhou, but Li stops her.  Li warns Mulan she will embarrass her father by speaking up for him.  Zhou’s volunteerism is accepted.  Mulan tries to convince her father not to go, but he boldly and abruptly stops her plea.  Li tells Mulan and Xiu to be strong, with Zhou’s failing health, he won’t make it back from the war.  As her family sleeps, Mulan makes a choice.  She takes her father’s armor, horse, sword, and decree scroll and heads for the woods.  She will pretend to be her father’s son, Hua Jun, and take her father’s place in the Army.  When her parents realize what she has done, Li worries her daughter will die in battle because she isn’t prepared for war.  Zhou knows the Imperial Army will kill her when they learn of her deception.  Keeping her secret is their only option.  Zhou prays for their ancestors to protect Mulan on her journey to become a legend.

Based on Disney’s Mulan and The Ballad of Mulan, the live-adaptation of Mulan has some glaring differences from the original movie (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  However, it is a bold addition to the franchise.  With glorious landscapes, fantastic wardrobes, and magnificent fight scenes, Mulan will captivate you from beginning to end.  While the magic of the Mushu is gone, the writers replaced him with Xhin Ling.  Commander Tung and Chen Honghui replaced Mulan’s love interest and commander, Li Shang, and lucky cricket is a soldier.  With these changes, viewers get a new story but the same message, never hide your gifts.  This movie classic isn’t updated; it’s renewed.  And it’s enjoyable for the whole family.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars

Ancestors, I could not – Hua Zhou

Tell me your sister is not the cause of this – Hua Li

The dynasty will not be threaten – The Emperor

Not witch, warrior – Xian Lang

If gold is not enough, I will give you blood – Bori Khan

Yes, it is best.  I will bring honor to us all – Hua Mulan

You can turn your back on me, but when the time comes, don’t turn your back on them – Chen Honghui

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Bill and Ted Face the Music – Review

Bill and Ted Face the Music – Budget of $25 million – 1 hour and 31 minutes

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After playing their famous concert, Wyld Stallyns hasn’t had a hit record in decades.  In turn, they haven’t written their foretold song to unite the world.  Ted is married to Princess Elizabeth, and they have a daughter named Wilhelmina, also known as Billie.  Bill is married to Princess Joanna, and they have a daughter named Theodora, also known as Thea.  Billie and Thea have a deep passion for music of all genres, and they believe in their dad’s ability to unite the world in song.  However, their wives, less so.  Joanna and Elizabeth ask Bill and Ted to go to couples counseling, Bill and Ted surprise them by booking the same appointment.  Bill and Ted learn their wives are unhappy and are contemplating a divorce.  The men leave the women to talk to the counselor and head home.  They realize they haven’t lived up to their promise, and Ted wants to sell his Les Paul guitar (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  That’s when Kelly, Rufus’s daughter, appears.  Kelly takes Bill and Ted to the future to see the Great Leader.  Time and reality are folding on itself.  If Bill and Ted don’t write their song, the world will end.  And they must write the music and play it at 7:17 pm at MP 46, which is in 77 minutes.  Bill and Ted decide to steal the telephone booth, go to the future, and steal the song from themselves to save the world.  The Great Leader has lost faith in Bill and Ted and created another plan.  She believes Bill and Ted’s death will save the world and sends a robot to kill them.  In fear, Kelly travels back to 2020 to warn Bill and Ted of the Great Leader’s alternate plan, but she finds Billie and Thea instead.  Billie and Thea decide to help Bill and Ted by gathering the best musicians in time to back up their dad’s band.  With three missions throughout time, who’s mission will save the world?

The third installment of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures is everything you would expect from the franchise while coming full circle (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  As Bill and Ted travel to meet future and worse off versions of themselves, Billie and Thea take the viewers on a musical journey.  They find Louis Armstrong, Jimi Hendrix, Mozart, Ling Lun, and the greatest drummer in history.  With their dad’s laid-back nature and love of music, they embody everything you love about Bill and Ted while righting their wrongs.  This movie is a love letter to the cult classic fans.  Enjoy and have an instrument handy.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

We love you guys – Ted

I’m not sure how much longer we can go on like this – Elizabeth

Yeah, but it’s also the solution – Bill

Dude, our dad’s are totally in trouble – Thea

You must not fail – Great leader

We’re trying to help them too – Billie

Well, I’m just trying to save the future too, mother.  It’s not like your generation did so great – Kelly

I’m sorry I laser’ed you all – Dennis

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