But Mulan struggles with the pillar of truth-she knows she’s living a “lie” hiding her true identity from her fellow soldiers, her commanding officers and herself.īut like the flaming red phoenix-the mythological bird-Mulan keeps seeing, we know Mulan, too, will soon rise up and reveal herself, in all her splendor. Related: The Animated Mulan’s Lea Salonga Talks Travel, Theater and Disneyĭisguising herself as a young man, Mulan goes off to training in preparation to meet the vicious warlord Böri Khan ( Jason Scott Lee) and the shape-shifting witch Xianniang ( Li Gong), his partner in crime.Īlong with all sorts of rigorous exorcises and combat skills, Mulan and her fellow soldiers are taught to be loyal, brave and true, the three “Pillars of Virtue.” Those pillars are so important, they’re etched into the shiny steel blade of Mulan’s sword.
Mulan (Chinese-born actress Yifei Liu), the eldest of two daughters of an honored veteran warrior who has no sons, takes her ailing father’s place so he doesn’t have to hobble onto the battlefield. The setting is ancient China, where the Emperor issues a decree that every family must send “one man” to serve in the Imperial Army to fight against a ruthless horde of advancing invaders. Starring Yifei Liu, Tzi Ma, Li Gong and Jason Scott Lee
(You do get to hear Aguilera sing “Reflections” again, though.) Related: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the New Live-Action Mulan