Mulan - 8/10

So here we go, starting with Mulan. 

Now, I didn't watch Mulan when I was younger. I assumed it was a movie for girls, and while it certainly is a story of female empowerment, it's also mega good in it's own right. 

And, I really did enjoy it when I watched it again, and here are just a few reasons why ...

1. Mushu! The little dragon-lizard thing. Eddie Murphy voices Mushu, and I'm not exactly a big Eddie Murphy fan, but he nails it, he just makes me laugh in this movie. Odd side-effect is that the Donkey in Shrek will forever sound like a Chinese Dragon to me .... 

Plus, Mushu has some of the best lines! 
"Of course! I'm travel size for you convenience! If I was my REAL size your cow here would die of fright!"

2. As with some of the very best Disney movies, this is also based upon a true story. I think you could watch the movie and enjoy it not knowing that (I sure did the first few times) but finding it out adds something extra for me. 

One of the beautiful things Disney does is bring old stories and legends to new, young faces. Frozen is a perfect example of this, inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale from 1844, it can be experienced and enjoyed by children (and a whole lot of adults) even now. 

3. The art is stunning. You can make this argument for most Disney films (and I probably will), but nonetheless, the art work is absolutely perfect here. Capturing the Chinese feel perfectly, Mulan has a certain Eastern feeling to it that makes it stand out. 

4. Shan Yu is the main Villain in Mulan, and he is perfect. There is no comic relief with him, he is bad and isn't afraid to show it. 

They really don't play down his ruthlessness, it is strongly hinted that he kills an Imperial scout because 'it only takes one to deliver a message'. I'm sure I recall reading that Mulan shows the most deaths (or at least, corpses) of any Disney movie, highlighting how villainous the Huns are. 

5. That song ...

Let's get down to business

To defeat the Huns

Did they send me daughters

When I asked for sons?

You're the saddest bunch 

I ever met

But you can bet

Before we're through

Mister, I'll make a man out of you!

So there we go, a strong 8 out of 10 for Mulan. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any Mulan-based attractions at Disneyworld, and I'm not expecting to be looking out for Characters walking around - nonetheless, an awesome way to kick of the Disney Marathon.

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." 

It's time for Disney!

Nothing quite like the first post on a blog, is there? 

Later this year I'll be going on my honeymoon to Orlando, Florida. A DisneyMoon, if you will. 

To say that I'm a little bit excited about this would be an understatement, I'm mega hyped for Disney! And to ensure I remain that way, it's my intention to watch a whole lot of movies between now and then ... 

And so, why not blog the experience? 

I do like writing. 

So, for every Disney movie I watch, I'll give a quick run down, what I liked, and to be honest I probably wont touch majorly on what I didn't like. I'm a positive kinda guy, Disney doesn't need my negativity!! 

There will of course be a rating system, because I like rating stuff out of 10. 

10 out of 10? It's not perfect, but it's a beautifully wonderful Disney movie, one I would watch over and over again.

I'm not expecting many 1 out of 10's ... but a 5 out of 10 would be disappointing by Disney standards, as an example. 

So here goes ... It's time to go on a journey!