Opened: June 19, 1998

Directed by: Barry Cook & Tony Bancroft

Starring: Ming-Na Wen, Lea Salonga, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, Marni Nixon, Harvey Fierstein, Gedde Watanabe, Matthew Wilder, Jerry Tondo, James Hong, Soon-Tek Oh, Pat Morita, George Takei, Beth Fowler & Miriam Margolyes

Coming in at the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, Mulan is an animated action masterpiece with a fierce female lead.

When the Chinese emperor (Pat Morita) orders one man from each family to help fight against the Huns, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen & Lea Salonga) takes the place of her aging father (Soon-Tek Oh). With the help of Mushu (Eddie Murphy), Mulan must figure out how to get herself through the war.

Despite setting unrealistic expectations about makeup removal and what it takes to be a man, Mulan is a visual spectacle with incredible army scenes and Chinese culture. The music is incredible and has songs that you’ll have stuck in your head for days.

There’s a fair amount of comedy, especially from Mushu, but it’s balanced well with defeat and suffering.

Final say: A kid’s movie great for everyone. ★★★★★