Down with Siskel!

First of all, lemme explain the caption. I really don't like this guy. Why? Basically because he liked the movie Les Miz and he didn't like Mulan. This idiot wouldn't know a good movie even if it bit him on the a**. You know what he said? He said that it wasn't serious enough for one (Mulan's masquerade) - for godsakes, it's supposed to be funny, it's a children's movie! We're not going for reality here! - and that Mulan wasn't as strong willed as other Disney heroines like Belle and Ariel - *cough cough* WHAT??!?! Yeah, exactly. I swear, the man has his thumbs constantly up his butt or something. [Editor's note: Okay, in regards of what happened recently I must state clearly that I am not particularly celebrating his death. In all seriousness, it's a shame that he did die. And no matter what anyone says, I had nothing to do with his death. It's a joke ppl, laugh!]

Okay, I'm done with my ranting. So why do I like this movie? First of all, Woman Power! (This was also why I liked Anastasia - it was she who destroyed Rasputin while Dimitri laid there like a lump, unconcious.) Yes, Mulan basically does everything. She figures out how to reach the arrow, she shoots the cannon which causes an avalanche and destroys most of Shan Yu's army, she saves Li Shang from the avalanche, she comes up with the plan to reach the Emperor, she saves Li Shang AGAIN, and she kills Shan Yu. Is that not cool? The one thing that makes me so sick in modern movies is the screaming, weak damsel in distress. When I watch those movies I wish I were a character so I could slap those girls across the face. You could never say Mulan was weak. I know that going to boot camp would kill me - she preserveres. Even when Li Shang dismisses her, she continues. If you think about it, you realize at that point, she could have left if she wanted to. Instead she chooses to stay and finally reaches the arrow.

Not only did this movie make me proud to be female, it gave me a sense of pride in being Chinese. It's a window that opens to all of the world how great our culture has been, how rich the history and art. Especially the artwork....I really appreciated the fact how it was all more stylized like Chinese - smoke patterns, the way the horses are drawn, the watercolor-like texture of the backgrounds. And despite the fact that many things are rather mangled, like the way the names were given (explained on my stuff page), overall I thought it portrayed the Chinese very well....with all the fuss with honor and ancestors and all. *g*

C'mon think about it. Who do you like better? Little Brother, or Eric's dog (TLM)? Fa Zhou or the Sultan? Shan Yu or Scar? Li Shang or Hercules? Cri-Kee or Cogsworth?

Also, the realism of this movie. Yes, there's the stuff with the Ancestors and Mushu but on the whole, the movie Mulan is so much more real. It's about people. As R said, "When I think of Disney movies, I think of songs." True, but here, it's not just about the songs any more. It's about the story. I mean, Lion King was a great movie but look, it was about lions!! And the lions fell in love....uh huh....that "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" scene always bothered me. And in this movie, it's not just one character who grows and changes. Mulan, of course does some serious soul searching and learns to be herself. Mushu changes - he learns that prestige is not all there is to it...you can see that in his friendship with Mulan. Li Shang grows also - it is true that he was placed in the position of leader but it's not until the fighting comes when he learns to be a true leader - at the camp he deferred to Chi Fu, but by the time of the discovery of Mulan, he has full command. Not only that, while still at the training camp, Shang is rather naive about the buisness of war. Yes, he knows how to fight and strategic planning but he doesn't know war. Not until the village does it come into place...people - civilians - women and children - do get killed.

The scene of the burned-out village pulls at your heart strings..it's perfect. The tone and mood of the scene is set with the dark red/black atmosphere - the drums in the score conflict with the eerily broken, but still striking bell. The scorched ruins...smoking still. And the fact that there are no bodies only adds to the emptiness of the devestated village.

The style of this movie, I love. As opposed to other Disney movies, it isn't showy, flashy, screaming to be heard. It just is, simple, and beautiful in its complex simplicity. There is no "Under the Sea," "Be Our Guest," or "Prince Ali" - it's not needed. We don't need to be impressed by such elaborate scenes. That's why I like Les Miz, also. No big dance numbers.....no big backdrops w/ the exception of the barricade...just a bed, a chair in a scene.... a bench and gate for another..just like here....a tree with targets, arrows - but only light forest in the back.

Next, I love this movie for its music. It's subtle for the most part, moving, flowing with emotion - simply beautiful. Set aside some time to listen to the scores by itself. You'll see.

Lastly, but not least...*g*... Li Shang. Yeah, I can't help myself. Yes, I know he's drawn, and yes, I know he's not real but isn't he fabulous? I mean, look the guy's a major hunk (unlike skinny little Dimitri :P), smart, he has a great sense of humor, and he's sensitive. Aww. *g* My sister and R both say that he does act the ditz at times - "Leader of China's finest troops-No! The greatest troops of all time!" - but I like that. I would hate a guy who was absolutely infalliable or one who had no faults. But really, tell me it's not just me and my crazy friends who like this guy...a lot. If you like Li Shang, email me! Patria2HML@aol.com ;I'd love to talk to you. ;) When I have time....I'll elaborate more on this guy on a page by itself.