JEP, on "Mulan - Wild One"


This fan vid represents a video response to a several things, including 1) the conclusions of some feminist scholarship that Mulan, while more complex than some Disney representations of women, nonetheless ultimately reinforces "the patriarchal status quo" because she must first pretend to be a man in order to succeed, and then subsequently returns to wearing women's clothing by the end of the film, thereby indicating an acceptance of patriarchal gender norms (see Giroux for an example of this argument); and 2) comments made by a Christian movie reviewer posted here, which read in part:


"The ancestors decide to send the most powerful dragon of all--the Great Stone Dragon--to help Mulan, which Mushu impersonates. The dragon is a well known symbol of the Devil/Satan for Christians (Rev. 12:3,4; 13:2; 20:2). In order for this Dragon/Satan to be accepted by children, this dragon/devil is even cute, witty and downright funny... Our children are being told it's ok to pray to ancestors for protection; the cute, witty Dragon (Satan) is portrayed as a guardian; we are told to find our center, to look within for peace; and that Buddhists will go to heaven. A little bit of truth mixed in with untruth is Satan's favorite strategy to indoctrinate those not well grounded in Scripture. The spiritual theme found in Mulan is very similar to a lot of other Disney movies where just a little bit of theology is incorporated in each one to slowly indoctrinate our children away from the truth. It's a different religion in each movie, but nevertheless they all lead back to one basic theme--New Age Theology, that all religions lead to God. It is a well known fact that those in charge of the Media today are also into New Age and this is why we are seeing so much of it in movies for children. CONCLUSION: At first glance this movie is so appealing, and heart warming it is hard to condemn it, but its spiritual implications make this a movie I would never recommend for children because it will lead them into untruth about the One real God of the Universe."


I think Disney's Mulan is a strong female figure whose character reveals themes clearly present within other Disney films - the importance of family, individual choice, the power of love, self-sacrifice, and so on - but in no way represents the reinforcement of patriarchy - Mulan's triumph in the film comes from her determination, character, and skills as both warrior and woman, as soldier and daughter - and so this video attempts to show these complexities of Mulan's character. The criticism of Mulan for pretending to be a man to accomplish her goals is, I think, without merit - it fails to acknowledge that Mulan is "outed" as a woman before the climactic scenes - she saves China AS A WOMAN, wearing women's clothes - her return home is not then a symbol of her return to a patriarchally controlled women's life - its just a woman who set out to do what she felt needed to be done, and is now ready to give up the task.


The final scene, where Mulan "spits" out the lucky cricket, is my humerous answer to the idea that donning a dress should somehow make Mulan any less a feminist hero.


The fundamentalist/literalist Christian criticism of the film - particularly the ideas that Mulan will lead children into "untruth" and that the character of Mushu represents the devil - are challenged by the lyrics of this song - Faith Hill sings that her 'wild one' is "a woman-child in a state of grace" - beloved by God, despite her conservative parents' attempts to restrict her to their world. I liked this theme and think it applies to Mulan - regardless of what Mulan ultimately chose to do and ultimately accomplished, she relied on her parents' teachings to reach her full adult potential, even if she did not do so in the way her parents might have wished. I think a little bit of trust on the part of Christian parents, that their children will be inspired by their teachings and follow the right path, even if it is not the path set out for them by their parents, would go a long way in healing the suspicion of popular culture that many menbers of this community hold.


The scene where Faith Hill sings about the "devil's tongue" set to the clip of Mushu sticking out his tongue, is my humerous response to the Mushu as Satan argument.


Enjoy!