Mulan

I really enjoyed watching the movie Mulan. I think that the makers of this movie did a really good job of making it interesting for people of all ages, especially children. Children are much harder to entertain than adults, and I think that this movie does its job in that it keeps most children entertained. I nannied for two boys last summer who were both a complete handful, but they loved the movie Mulan. I knew that I could pop it in the DVD player for them to watch if they got too out of control. This is good because both young boys loved it and I liked watching it too; it satisfied a range of audiences.
The main difference I found in the movie and the legend of Mulan is the way that everyone finds out that Mulan is a girl. In the Disney movie, Mulan is injured while doing a heroic act that saves lives. In the legend, Mulan chooses to reveal her identity once she is done fighting. I like the legend’s version better because I think it is cool tha tMulan actually chooses to reveal that she is a woman, even though she has gained so much respect as a man and knows that women are not respected. I think that the movie makers probably changed this because they wanted another conflict in the movie.
Ailin is definitely a great role model for older adolescents, but younger adolescents may not understand the importance and significance of what she is doing. I think that Mulan entertains younger children because they are intrigued by the war and fighting. They may not understand the importance of Ailin’s actions because they will not appear as heroic to a young child (although when they are older, the children will understand that her actions are equally as heroic as Mulan’s actions). Since Mulan’s actions are more obvious (she literally is fighting, whereas Ailin is resisting), her heroic actions are more obvious to young children and adolescents.
Older adolescents should definitely read Ties that Bind, Ties that Break, because it shows them the importance of standing up to cultural values that are worng and/or harmful. Ailin refuses to let her culture choose her destiny. She realizes that by not having her feet bound, she will not lead a normal life. She would rather be an outcast, however, than fit in and be miserable. Going to school is also a big deal for her because Chinese women are not usually educated. By refusing to have her feet bound and by going to school, she pretty much ruins any chance she has of being respected or getting married. She goes against the norms because she knows she can be more than a wealthy Chinese wife with her feet bound. I truly admire Ailin, and believe that older adolescents will as well.