The Disney classic Mulan was released in 1998. Yet even 25 years later, the warrior remains one of Disney’s best protagonists. A reddit user explains why.
On June 19, 1998, the animated film Mulan premiered in American theaters. The story is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan.
It is about a young woman who disguises herself as a man and joins the army in place of her father to defeat the Huns.
Here is a trailer for Mulan:
“Mulan proves herself through hard work, sheer determination, and her intelligence”
On reddit, user u/Boss452 posted yesterday, on June 19, 2023, a thread titled “Mulan (1998) turns 25 today! Mulan is one of the best Disney protagonists of all time”.
The user explains that he admired the film from the first viewing and still finds it great every time he watches it again.
Thus, Mulan has one of the best plots of all the animated Disney films, as it mixes classic Disney stories with elements of an action war film.
The strong protagonist also impresses and is a true role model due to her qualities:
At its core, Mulan is a beautifully crafted feminist story about a woman who joins the Chinese army to defeat the Huns against all rules and expectations.
Mulan proves herself through hard work, sheer determination, and her intelligence. She is not the “chosen one” or blessed with something special. It is simply about striving and being smart. This is a great message to convey to young viewers.
via reddit
Particularly, the user also highlights an aspect at the end of the film that he liked: Despite Mulan gaining fame through her deeds, she declines a place in the royal council. Instead, she returns to her family with gifts to show her father that she has brought honor to their name.
However, the gifts do not interest her father; he “is just happy to have his daughter back, which is the greatest gift for him.”
What do other users think about it? Many agree with the praise the reddit user gives to the film and comment on what they like about Mulan:
- alanpardewchristmas: “I like that the antagonist is one of the few who does not underestimate her just because she is a woman. When he identifies her, he is not surprised but just says: ‘The soldier from the mountains…’
- LeeroyTC: “Also a very good message for children about overcoming adversity, overcoming external prejudices and one’s own perceived limits through character strength, courage, and perseverance. It shows that a normal peasant girl who was only expected to be someone’s wife can become a hero for all.”
If you love Disney movies, you might also enjoy this magical animated film:
