Mulan is the first live-action remake for Disney to receive a PG-13 rating. It's expected that the rating is due to the film's sequences of violence, which have been teased with battle scenes, hand-to-hand combat, and sword fights in all of the trailers for the film thus far.
Unlike its animated predecessor, this movie feels more like a war film than it does a Disney film. While most of the live-action remakes have either stayed tonally true to the originals or been near shot-for-shot remakes, Mulan appears to be an original interpretation of the legend as opposed to a recreation of the Disney classic. With the new, magical character, Xian Lang, the exclusion of musical numbers, Mushu nowhere to be found, and sequences of violence that take the film from G to PG-13, this Mulan is an entirely different take on the story.
The changes and rating could negatively affect the audience's turnout. With all of the other live-action remakes being rated G or PG, this is a huge departure for the Disney brand in terms of remaking its classic cartoons, especially when the rating change is due to violence.
The original animated movie, while featuring sword fights and large scale battles, had toned down the sequences of violence for family audiences. Even new remakes, like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, have toned down violent scenes - like the fight between Mufasa and Scar - to maintain a family-friendly rating.
Along with the rating change, the content changes also pose a risk. While critics and fans have been vocal about wanting original content, the box office numbers show that the Disney remakes that stay painfully true to the originals, like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, are sure-fire successes. Meanwhile, ones that divert, like Dumbo, fail to do as well in comparison.
Then again, it's possible the film's rating may not affect the film's performance as PG-13 films have been by families in recent years. The Disney era of Star Wars and Marvel has featured some of the most financially successful films in cinematic history, despite many of them being rated PG-13 for violence, suggestive material, and language. The PG-13 rating may isolate families who are more cautious about violence in movies. However, it's proven that PG-13 movies are successful at large, especially ones under the Disney parent company.
Even before the remake boom, one of Disney's most successful live-action films was PG-13. Pirates of the Caribbean was far from the Disney brand with its violent sword fights, undead army, copious amounts of drinking, vulgar language, and plenty of sexual innuendos. Despite all this, the movie was well received by critics, adults, and children.
Mulan could be a repeat of Pirates of the Caribbean. With so many direct remakes being made that do not truly take risks, critics and fans are feeling slogged down by the classic Disney brand. Something that is slightly familiar but pushes the story in a new and daring way could be exactly what audiences are craving from the Disney company.
Some of the most creative remakes, Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent, were successful enough for the studio to make sequels for them. While the reactions to these movies have been mixed, to say the least, they went outside the box and garnered enough financial success to be the only remakes to currently have finished sequels.
The original animated movie, while featuring sword fights and large scale battles, had toned down the sequences of violence for family audiences. Even new remakes, like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, have toned down violent scenes - like the fight between Mufasa and Scar - to maintain a family-friendly rating.
It's a more serious war film, and in turn more violent. And while a PG-13 could turn families away, the track record for PG-13 movies under Disney has overall been successful. That along with the brand recognition of Mulan and the desire to see these remakes go beyond the basics of the originals may be enough to make this risk worth it in the end.
Directed by Niki Caro, Disney's Mulan stars Yifei Liu as Mulan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan, and Yoson An as Cheng Honghui, with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film opens March 27.