Tonight, as a penultimate hoorah before my return to Smith, I joined my parents for a viewing of Mulan, one of my favorite Disney movies ever. Why do I love Mulan so much? Well let’s see.
For one, she actually has dignity, honor, and power on her own. Is that harsh? I’ll backtrack. I love all of the Disney Princesses for many reasons, from Jasmine’s attitude and Aurora’s pretty pretty clothes (seriously, what other merits does she have?) Belle is very sweet and bookish (I particularly value the latter) and Ariel…can sing well (I really love The Little Mermaid, but I just can’t really look up to Ariel.)
And then there’s Mulan.
Oh, Mulan. You use turn your paternal fealty into a stand for your nation, taking charge and saving the Emperor even after you’ve been revealed as a girl! You stand up to Shang and continue and master your training, despite being at a disadvantage with a weaker body! Hell, you set the Match-Maker’s butt on fire! That woman is awful!
"I'm doomed! And all 'cause Miss Man decides to take her little drag show on the road." - Mushu
Okay, in all seriousness I think that Mulan is awesome and a great influence for little girls (as compared to say…Bella Swan?) She actually takes action and doesn’t take no for an answer for people she loves, rather than for personal gain (I am borderline quoting Mushu here, forgive me.) She is easily the bravest of the Disney Princesses (though they all have their fair share of courage) and, honestly? I really wish I could be like her.
Seriously. Mulan RULES.
P.S. She also has some of the best Disney music!
Note: This is the first of a series of Women Who Rock posts I’m going to be making around my return to Smith!
I LOVE the idea of this Women Who Rock series. And Mulan is totally kick ass. But pls, you played down how awesome Belle is your brief description. Belle has a lot of strength and a lot of guts, plus that whole self-respect thing going on… *loves Belle*.
Hmm.. also, since Ariel was my absolute favourite Disney princess when I was younger, I feel I have to defend her somehow. Maybe you’ll do an intellectual “Women Who Rock” series, and I’ll do “Why Disney Princesses are actually not anti-feminist” series.
Except Snow White, cos Snow White sucks.
I know I kind of played down Belle, but in my defense, I haven’t seen Beauty and the Beast since I was around 5…
And I *like* Ariel…and I get why she does the stuff she does…she just isn’t as awesome as Mulan
I’m looking forward to reading your series! I totally agree that they aren’t Anti-Feminist (except Snow White, yeah, and Sleeping Beauty isn’t much better.)
YOU HAVEN’T SEEN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SINCE YOU WERE 5?! We must fix this, Alex. As soon as possible.
But see, I can’t see Sleeping Beauty as bad after watching it again, because Sleeping Beauty is so different from the other Disney Princess movies. It’s more a work of art, about the animation and the music of this traditional fairy tale, than anything else. And if you go beyond that, Sleeping Beauty isn’t really the main character… she doesn’t even speak in most of it. It’s all about the fairies.
I would agree about Sleeping Beauty EXCEPT that she has the same amount of promotion from Disney (sorry beloved Disney, but I must complain) as Belle, Jasmine, and the others (and much more than Pocahontas and Mulan) and so I’m forced to compare her to the others. And she just isn’t as cool (but you know I like the movie, especially the super creepy parts!)
[...] 5, 2009 Dearest Alex recently made a blog post about how much Mulan kicks ass. And I completely agree with her [...]
Ariel’s idea of freedom is being married to who she likes, at age 16. Also, she wins Eric’s heart without needing to speak. Just awful.
Mulan I can watch over and over. “Reflection” makes me cry every time.
Cheers to that! (sorry for the belated and then lame reply)