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Good morning Consumers. This is Please Consume, the Film newsletter that loves you more than Ben Affleck loves being from Boston.

Mulan (1998)

As we continue down the rabbit hole of summer films from 1998, we’re discussing one of our favorite Disney princess films. And basically the first one that gets any real agency whatsoever.

So, sing along as we let our reflection show and bring honor to us all. Let’s talk Mulan!

The Disney Renaissance

A bit of context is needed for where Disney was when they made this movie. The film came out during what is now known as the Disney Renaissance, an era in the film industry that is generally agreed to have started in 1989 with The Little Mermaid and ended with Tarzan in 1999 (but if we’re being honest, it actually died with the release of the supremely underrated Treasure Planet in 2002).

This was post Walt and Roy Disney’s death when the studio was trying to regain their footing, and when they landed on Roger & Clement’s Little Mermaid it felt like they could do no wrong for about a decade.

That bravura shows up on screen too. Without ever feeling easy or cliche, the film works at a confidence level that few filmmakers (especially one as green as directors Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft) ever reach. The whole film has a swagger to it that leaves the audience feeling in good hands.

Hottest Take

I’ve had this hot take in my back pocket for a long time, just waiting to pull it out the day Bill Simmons invites me onto The Hottest Take. But since it doesn't look like that’s going to happen any time soon, I’m just gonna drop it here.

I am pro animal sidekicks.

I know that’s not cool of me. I should be jaded and cynical over these characters who are clearly created to sell cute merch to kids, yet I enjoy them.

From Frozen’s Sven to YaYa the chicken from Moana, voiced by Alan Tudyk of all people, I love those little bastards.

They bring me so much joy and I will protect them at all costs. My only issue with animal sidekicks comes when an actor is hired for their star power over their ability. Take Phil Collins (once again) playing a russian bird in Balto and Will Smith as a fish in Shark Tale.

Back in 1998, this phenomenon was just on the precipice of happening. Although it wasn’t quite obnoxious yet to feel ironic, it was just post-modern enough to please the Gen X’ers.

And it helps that this animal sidekick in training is portrayed by the great Eddie Murphy as the top of his game.

The character feels similar to Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin and yet is it’s own character in the most Murphy ways possible.

The Music of Mulan

The music in Mulan is done by David Zippel, a working composer and lyricist in Hollywood who Disney brought up to the ranks of A-lister after the death of one of their best collaborators, Howard Ashman. Ashman, for context, was part of a duo with Alan Menkin, the team behind The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and of course, Little Shop of Horrors.

While Zippel is no replacement for Ashamn, he really does hold his own: the music in Mulan is incredibly catchy and always futhers the story.

Unlike Tarzan, where it feels like it’s pausing itself to do a musical montage set to those sexy sexy Phil Collins pipes. Mulan’s soundtrack is in conversation with the story and characters. It never seems to hold the film back.

You can see this in today’s clip, which exhibits growth from the characters that feels completely earned in every way shape and form.

Today’s Scene