How Ethnically Accurate is the Live Action Mulan?

One of our all time favorite Disney movie is Mulan and it was natural that we were excited for the live action. Though that excitement soon died down after it was revealed that some key characters won’t be part of the remake. Seriously, how is it even the same without Mushu’s dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!!! We’ll tell you what, it’ll be ethnically and historically accurate.

The first Mulan movie, that we all love and adore is a failure at depicting the real story about the Huns. Mulan is based off on a poem named The Ballad of Mulan. The Disney depiction of the tale was well more Disney and less ethnically and historically accurate. With the new remake, Disney intends to rectify that mistake and make it more similar to what the tale actually was. However, the question arises, was it successful in doing so?

Mulan’s Trailer Promises a More Accurate Depiction

Though the answer to the question asked above is not possible to give at the moment, but the trailer of the movie gives us the hope that this time around, Disney will honor the original tale. It has been revealed that the live action will not have a soundtrack as opposed to other Disney live actions, as soundtracks don’t really fit into the narrative. Though some of the songs from the original animated Mulan are iconic, and we’re sad that they won’t be part of the live action, this decision makes sense.

Also, in the trailer’s description, there’s written,

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

It seems like Disney is finally on the road of honoring cultures and presenting them accurately.

Or Does it?

The reaction after the release of the trailer was mostly fans being excited for the release of the movie. People who had been bashing the remake because of all the changes being made, now know why they’re being made. Everyone is on board with a more ethnically accurate and representative version of Mulan.

However, there are fans who’re nitpicking every aspect of the trailer. And we don’t fault them, as Mulan is a culturally sensitive movie. The Chinese culture is at the center of the movie and whats the use of making a remake if they’re not honoring it correctly. Disney, though produces great movies, is not known for ethnically accurate ones. Let’s take Aladdin for example. We loved the movie, there is no doubt in that. But it was not really representative of the Middle East culture. Let’s be honest with ourselves, it was more Bollywood than Middle East!

Here’s a thread by a fan who explains how much Disney was accurate when making this Live Action of Mulan.