From: Trakal
Sent: Sunday, June 21, 1998 7:37 AM

I haven't seen it yet. But I have a question about Mulan. Mulan
was meant to be a serious story, if I'm not mistaken. I wonder
if anime purists might believe that Disney ruined it
by adding their little song and dance numbers?

Well, here's an example of how Disney walked the line between telling a
serious story and making it accessible for kids:

In one scene, the Huns capture two scouts for the Imperial Army.  The leader
of the Huns taunts them for a while, then tells them that he wants them to
bring a message to the Emperor:  the Huns are coming.  The two men back
slowly away, then turn and run.  The leader of the Huns watches them run,
then idly comments to an archer standing next to him, "How many men does it
take to carry a message?"  The archer smiles and lifts his bow.  "One."

Fade to black, next scene.

So:  Serious.  Shoot-'em-in-the-back murder type stuff.  Kids.  No actual
violence was shown.  All throughout the movie Disney tried to keep this
balance and, for the most part, succeeded.

Just my opinion, of course.

-Richard