Mulan: Critic Reviews

This is the most inert and formulaic of recent Disney animated films, right down to the clowning sidekicks and would-be ''Under the Sea'' production number.

A film that adults can enjoy on their own, without feeling an obligation to take along kids as a cover.

The most self-assured and by all indications the most successful Disney 'toon in years...

Goes about halfway toward setting new boundaries for Disney's, and the industry's, animated features, but doesn't go far enough.

A disappointment for anyone hoping the studio would raise the standard of the animated feature to a new level.

The incredible special effects, which make lush cherry blossoms as vivid as the intense battle scenes, are balanced by Disney's tradition of care and painstaking detail in developing and animating its characters.

Everyone will be entertained the fast-moving plot and rich animation.

What's terrific about Mulan is its reaching for emotions that other movies run from: family love and duty, personal honor and group commitment, obedience and ingenuity.

The film shines at capturing the watercolor delicacy of China's past.

Memo to the gang at Walt Disney animation: Your formula is showing.

What is chiefly impressive is that the appropriation of Chinese iconography in a film that was plainly made by Western animators feels ultimately so natural and successful.

Overall, this is a lovely film, ranking with the best of Disney's animated features while taking on rather serious issues of war, honor, gender roles and family pride.

From the first scene onwards, you know you're in good hands.

Using richly hued, angular animation, this vibrant, action-filled Disney offering is immensely entertaining.

Female heroes permeate most of Disney's animated movies, but this is the first time they've given her real strength.

This is the best Disney animated feature, ever (involving extensive use of cross-dressing).

Continues Disney's dominance of the animation field with its solid, assured story-telling, good main and supporting characters and superior craftsmanship.

In the end, Mulan isn't bad - it's just mediocre, which is particularly disappointing given its Disney pedigree.

remains squarely in the realm of family entertainment, but it's lush and effective as such (if a little more violent than usual)

Neither fish nor fowl, though it certainly leans towards foul

A fascinating and artistically animated movie that's worth seeing more than once.

To its credit, Mulan does strive to present its characters as something more than potential Happy Meal toys.

The animators have clearly done their research, but while the film's cultural specificity isn't distasteful per se, it's still pretty soulless.

A great family film, suitable for almost any age.

The folks at Disney prove that clothes -- and little else -- make a man, and do so with extraordinary style.