By [2020 is finally over but before we send it off to the trash heap it deserves to be in, it’s time for the third annual Golden Cages, Flixist’s extremely coveted prize! Each year the Flixist staff gets together to vote on the best and worst films of the year and gives you lovely readers our true and honest thoughts. Plus since there are no other awards shows this winter (suck it Academy!) we’re now the de facto voice of truth in the film industry. So read on dear viewer and see which films win our lovely little award!]
Oh boy, where does one begin with this film? Mulan was one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of 2020 but it sadly was due to come out right around the time COVID-19 hit. Some got to see it in theaters before they were shuttered into lockdowns and others had to wait till it hit Disney+. Sure people thought I have my subscription, why not? Well, enter the corporate side of Disney with theaters being shuttered and needing to still make money. It was announced that instead of heading to theaters at a later date it would go straight to Disney+ but at a price tag of $29.99 for “premier access“.
That’s right, you can either pay the $30 at the time of release or wait with the rest of the world for it to be released to all subscribers at the end of 2020. For a remake of a classic 1999 animated hit, it was a huge let-down for so many. Unlike other live-action remakes from Disney Mulan which had famous musical numbers such as “Reflection”, and “Be A Man”, it would be an action film instead. While we do hear some of the classics it’s strictly instrumental with no vocals. Christina Aguilera who did the original rendition of “Reflection” did reprise it for the remake but it was buried in the END CREDITS!
The other major gripe with this film was (and there are several) involves two major plot changes. Firstly it was eliminating the relationship between Mulan and Shang. Yes, in the original Mulan is disguised as a man, and the two form a close relationship, but this was 2020 the world can and should be able to handle that. Second, we have a shapeshifting witch with the main villain and Mulan can use the force. Just what was Disney thinking? I get people are perhaps tired of the direct animation to live-action remakes but they straight up ruined (in my opinion) a true classic.
The live-action remakes are not going to stop anytime soon but perhaps Disney should really just leave a good thing alone. I understand this movie was perhaps not intended for those of us who grew up with the 1999 hit but at least respect the source material. One could go on and on but overall that’s why Mulan, in our opinion, was the most overrated film of 2020 and easily earning it our Golden Cage for Most Overrated film of 2020. COVID-19 perhaps saved us from having to endure it in theaters.
