Top 10 Differences Between Mulan (1998) & Mulan (2020)

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Differences Between “Mulan” (1998) and “Mulan” (2020).

For this list, we’ll be looking at how the live-action remake of “Mulan” differs from its animated predecessor. In case you haven’t seen either film, spoilers!

Which version of “Mulan” do you prefer? Let us know in the comments! Now, let’s get down to business!

For a family film, the original “Mulan” had its fair share of heavy scenes. One such example is when the Imperial Army discovers a burned down village, along with a little girl’s doll and Shang’s father’s helmet. Where the more mature content took place off-screen in the animated version, though, the remake isn’t afraid to show soldiers getting riddled with arrows. The original also balanced out its intense moments with lighthearted comedic relief. While there is some humor sprinkled in, the remake is primarily played as a straight-up action drama. For its sequences of violence, “Mulan” received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. To think, back in 1998, the Walt Disney Pictures label wouldn’t dare venture beyond a PG rating.

The remake’s climax does maintain several familiar elements. Once again, the Emperor is abducted during an invasion and Mulan faces off against the big bad. At the same time, the filmmakers leave their own mark on the final act. The Imperial Army not only heeds Mulan’s warning of the forthcoming attack this time, but the Commander asks her to lead the charge. Instead of disguising themselves as concubines to fool the enemy, Mulan’s fellow soldiers put their armor to effective use for the final battle. The showdown between Mulan and the main villain no longer takes place atop the palace, although it’ll still bring out your fear of heights. And since he’s played by Jet Li, even the Emperor is given a pretty cool moment.

Grandmother Fa is one of the most underrated characters from Disney’s animation library. But, Mulan’s quirky grandmother is nowhere to be found in the remake. In her place, Mulan is given a younger sister named Hua Xiu. Mulan was an only child in the original, but the filmmakers felt that having a sister would give her a stronger motivation and emotional investment. This also sticks closer to the “Ballad of Mulan” where she has an older sister, as well as a younger brother. Though this was a nice addition, we would’ve liked to have seen more scenes between Mulan and Hua Xiu in the film. Since a “Mulan” sequel is reportedly in development, however, maybe Hua Xiu will sign up for the next war, assuming she can overcome her arachnophobia.

In one of the original film’s most memorable moments, Mulan takes her father’s place in the army, riding off with his armor and sword in the dead of night. To blend in as a man, Mulan uses the sword to cut her hair short. Although this gesture symbolizes the sacrifices that Mulan is willing to make and her true reflection, it’s not consistent with the film’s setting and time period. Producer Jason T. Reed explained in an interview, “Chinese warriors, male warriors, wore their hair long [so] for her to cut her hair off, it would make her look more like a woman.” Mulan thus keeps her hair long in the remake, but she still leaves her comb behind as a farewell to her family.

One of the most notable characters missing from the remake is Captain Li Shang. His removal was in response to the #MeToo movement, according to Reed, who stated, “having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn’t think it was appropriate.” The filmmakers didn’t remove all traces of him, however. Instead, he’s broken up into two new characters: Commander Tung, who encourages Mulan not to conceal the strength within, and Chen Honghui, a fellow soldier who befriends her. Honghui develops deeper feelings for Mulan throughout the film, but much like her relationship with Shang, their romance is understated compared to other Disney couples.

The animated version depicts Mulan as a strong-willed woman who’s ready to fight for her family, despite having no combat training. Although she gets off to a rocky start, Mulan becomes a skilled warrior through perseverance and training. In the remake, Mulan is gifted in the martial arts from a young age. Where the original explored Mulan’s internal and external struggles, the remake doubles down on the war within. Upon joining the army, Mulan decides to repress her ch'i. Following a motivational pep talk with Commander Tung, Mulan begins to embrace her gifts. Instead of retrieving an arrow like in the animated version, Mulan proves herself when she ascends to the top of a hill while carrying heavy buckets of water.

Music played a significant role in the animated classic. “Reflection” poignantly explored Mulan’s identity crisis, and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” still gets us pumped. Director Niki Caro wanted to take a more grounded approach for the remake, however, scrapping the musical numbers. Having characters burst into song probably wouldn’t have matched the film’s grittier tone, but Caro managed to pay homage to the first film’s rousing soundtrack nonetheless. Instrumental versions can be briefly heard at a few pivotal moments. Some of the dialogue also calls back to a few familiar lyrics. For the closing credits, Christina Aguilera returned to cover a new version of “Reflection,” as well as a new song entitled “Loyal Brave True.”

Remaining truer to the “Ballad of Mulan,” the Huns are swapped out with an invading Rouran army in the remake. The villainous Shan Yu has been replaced with a Rouran warrior named Bori Khan, played by Jason Scott Lee. This isn’t Lee’s first live-action Disney remake, as he previously portrayed Mowgli in 1994’s “The Jungle Book.” Where Shan Yu was primarily driven by a lust for power, Bori Khan seeks to avenge his father, making his desire to conquer China all the more personal. Instead of a pet falcon, Bori Khan is aided by Xian Lang, a shapeshifting witch played by Gong Li. Xian Lang serves as a reflection of who Mulan could become if she went down a darker path, creating an intriguing parallel.

When it was announced that Mushu wouldn’t be featured in the remake, the news was met with a polarizing response. On one hand, the character and Eddie Murphy’s voiceover performance helped shape the original film’s unique identity. Given the remake’s more serious tone, however, we can see how a wisecracking dragon may seem out of place. Plus, Mushu wasn’t especially well-received in China… or in “Mulan II.” In the 2020 version, the little dragon is substituted with a giant phoenix that guides Mulan, while also serving as a beacon of inspiration. Also absent is Mulan’s other sidekick Cri-Kee, who’s switched out with a soldier named Cricket. Thankfully, he lives up to his lucky namesake. Seriously, we must protect Cricket at all costs.

One of the biggest changes in Mulan’s character arc comes during her first battle against the Rouran army. Following a confrontation with Xian Lang, Mulan realizes that she can no longer hide her true self. Letting her hair down and shedding her heavy armor, Mulan’s reflection finally shows who she is inside. This differs from the animated version, where Mulan is wounded in combat, leading to the discovery that she’s a woman. Nevertheless, Mulan stills fights valiantly and buries the enemy soldiers in an avalanche, securing the Imperial Army’s victory. Rather than go back into hiding, Mulan emerges from the snowy mist in an epic reveal, ready to accept whatever comes next. It may be the remake’s most visually interesting addition.