Omar Akbar Khan

2020 was a year full of difficult moments, none of these painful moments, however were as agonizing as the 90-minutes that one has to endure to get to the roll of credits of this sad-sad reboot of what otherwise would have been remembered as a Disney all-time favourite. For the uninitiated - spoilers ahead! Uninspiring character development - one of the things that I liked best watching Disney's 1998 animated film-Mulan was the fact that it highlighted the internal conflict common faced by many asians that are forced to conform within high-context cultures that would otherwise be dismissive of your own identity or brand. The Mulan that was put forth in 1998, wasn't the strongest but she worked with what she had and got help from her friends (an average jane that got by). Fast forward to 22 years later and we have wonder-woman Hua Mulan who's drank all the kool-aid giving her "unmatched chi" (see high midichlorian count - Star War) and the innate ability to bicycle kick an arrow shot-caught-and then thrown into the air by a bound emperor to kill a man who should have died when he fell from what seemed like 50 feet to the ground (let's not forget that this guy then gets up and shoots an arrow to a bound emperor only to have that arrow caught, thrown in the air and then bicycle kicked back into his chest - have I mentioned the bicycle kick?) ; TLDR : Who needs character development when you've got the "Chi" Characters are inconsistent, and often times stupid- as the soldiers of the sixth regiment huddle together on the night before their first encounter with the northern tribes, a courageous Mulan reassures her "comrades" that she will have their back. Cut to the battle scene, this lady without thinking twice literally leaves her "comrades" to face the hordes of tribesmen charging toward them in pursuit of 10 randos "on-the-run". Not to mention also going on a suicide mission after all of the other imperial soldiers in pursuit died. She will later go so far as to demonstrate that when you believe in your-self you don't need armour or a scrunchie instead you'll just shimmy on over and use that incredible chi you've been given. In relentless pursuit of destroying childhood memories, 2020's Mulan will throw in a bonus character "birdwoman" the lady who has all the power of a formidable Disney villain (think Maleficent) but the brain of … a bird who at a critical moment in the film decides to not stop the villain (Bori Khan) by smacking him with her wind powers or turning into a flock of birds to distract his shot aimed at Mulan but instead will transform into a bird, fly faster than a loosed arrow and save Mulan by intercepting the arrow with her bird body (think flappy bird) just after having two conversations with her on what it means to be a scorned woman. ("Ok, Disney"). Only redemption - To any of you were that were expecting to see some real down-to-earth Asian filial piety you do get some of that (NGL - this might be the only redeeming quality) but you will also need to come to the terms with the fact that while your asian mom will probably end your life for leaving a good tupperware at a friend's house/school ; Mulan's mom (and dad) are so cool they don't mind that you've stole things, ran away from home , and didn't bring back what I guess would be considered a family treasure (her father's sword).