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| Scene from Mulan |
Welcome to the sporadic column Trailing Off in which I take a look at a trailer from the past week and analyze its potential. This will be done using an obnoxious amount of analyzing and personal thoughts on the cast and crew as well as expectations. I will attempt to highlight films ranging from new blockbusters to lesser known indies and give them their due. Partially to spread awareness, I do believe that there is an art to the sell and will do my best to highlight why these trailers matter or don't with approval (trove) or disapproval (trash). So please stop by, recommend some trailers, and I will see you next time.
Trailer in Discussion
Directed By: Niki Caro
Written By: Lauren Hynek & Rick Jaffa & Elizabeth Martin & Amanda Silver
Starring: Jet Li, Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen
- Preamble -
In 2019, there have been few studios that have as reliable of a track record as Disney. It becomes a little bit baffling when you consider that part of their strategy is to do live-action remakes of their beloved favorites from decades ago. In the past few months, it has included Dumbo and Aladdin. There's the promise of The Lion King later this month and a Maleficent sequel sometime after that. One must ask why these continue to get made if there are so many other ideas that they could roll with. After all, they are a studio that has billions to put into projects that could bomb and still not break the bank. Why continue to go back to something that many see as lazy, uninspired, and doesn't really provide much to the conversation in the slightest?
The answer is in large part money. After all, what studio wants to not make money? Considering that both Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast are remakes that made the studio over a billion each, one cannot fault them for making everything they ever touched in a new image solely for the sake of money. With that said, one must wonder what audience was clamoring for a Mulan adaptation. After all, there are arguably more beloved Disney movies beyond that and who are likely to turn over a profit with better results, especially given that they are planning on creating a less cartoonish version of the character. There are reportedly no songs and characters including talking dragons and comical sidekicks are largely missing in favor of martial arts. While that's fitting to the Chinese setting, it still seems like an odd choice.
Then again, Mulan has been one of the unexpected Disney princesses with one of the strongest reputations, especially in an era where strong, independent women are the main subject of films. One could transpose the story almost verbatim from the 1998 version and still have a prescient text. However, there's also the need to have studios recognize more diverse stories, including those that appeal to Chinese-American audiences. While it comes at the expense of the many flourishes, one can't help but wonder what exactly will be added to the film to make it stand out in a market crowded by films that are arguably inferior to their originals. Mulan stands the chance to either be one of the best if it sticks to the themes, or could just pander in ways that will make the studio look good. What could possibly happen?
The answer is in large part money. After all, what studio wants to not make money? Considering that both Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast are remakes that made the studio over a billion each, one cannot fault them for making everything they ever touched in a new image solely for the sake of money. With that said, one must wonder what audience was clamoring for a Mulan adaptation. After all, there are arguably more beloved Disney movies beyond that and who are likely to turn over a profit with better results, especially given that they are planning on creating a less cartoonish version of the character. There are reportedly no songs and characters including talking dragons and comical sidekicks are largely missing in favor of martial arts. While that's fitting to the Chinese setting, it still seems like an odd choice.
Then again, Mulan has been one of the unexpected Disney princesses with one of the strongest reputations, especially in an era where strong, independent women are the main subject of films. One could transpose the story almost verbatim from the 1998 version and still have a prescient text. However, there's also the need to have studios recognize more diverse stories, including those that appeal to Chinese-American audiences. While it comes at the expense of the many flourishes, one can't help but wonder what exactly will be added to the film to make it stand out in a market crowded by films that are arguably inferior to their originals. Mulan stands the chance to either be one of the best if it sticks to the themes, or could just pander in ways that will make the studio look good. What could possibly happen?
- Dissection -
There are certain relieves that come quickly. For starters, the songs aren't exactly removed from the text. Instead, they have been moved to the orchestral side of things. "My Reflection" plays over the opening scene that is gorgeously shot. It's of Mulan returning home to discover that her family has found a suitor for her. Anyone who knows the story will be aware of how this goes. A teaser trailer's job is to make sure that the audience has a familiarity with what's to come. Yes, there's going to be plenty of action, but what does it matter to Mulan as a character? As much as the voice-over helps to create a sense of family, it's the images that end up being one of the most impeccable tools of the entire trailer.
For starters, the cultural representation feels more authentic. Instead of accentuating the world with familiar iconography of the film, the Chinese culture is represented with lavish Geisha outfits and production design that recalls what the cities actually looked like at the time. There's plenty to be excited about in the back half of the trailer as well, especially with Mulan bestowing a bow and arrow as she takes on the Huns. If nothing else, this looks like it will be the most action-packed Disney adaptation yet. Though who knows how much will be added and how much is just seconds pulled from more docile scenes. Still, there's plenty to love about how they're shot, especially as she climbs her way to freedom. As much as the drama looks enticing, the action also is maybe going to recall kung-fu movies of yesteryear but transposed for modern American audiences.
As a whole, Mulan actually has something to offer. Most Disney teasers don't give you much of a look into what the world will look like. With this minute and a half, there's a lot to pull from the imagery and speculate about what is going to be changed. So far, there's not much on a story basis that can be mulled from. However, the choice to expand upon her character by exploring the dynamics of honor and family may lead to a great movie. There's so much here that doesn't feel like a novelty or simply cashing in on a Disney movie. What is there is an attempt to update everything to fit with the times, and frankly it looks far more compelling than any of the adaptations so far. It's the least familiar looking since Pete's Dragon, and that may play in its favor. While it does look like the humor will be tampered down, one can hope that there's still something there for audiences to latch onto.
- One Sentence Sell -
Disney is now adapting their film Mulan with plenty of action and gorgeous production and costume designs.
- Trove or Trash -
TROVE
While Disney has had rough record live-action adaptations, this is one of the few that looks like it will be offering something more. It pays homage to the original while doing its best to create an environment that is more fitting of the characters. The only question that remains is whether or not it will stray from the original in a good way.
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