Way Back Wednesday - Mulan

Mulan is a 1998 Walt Disney animated film released in June 1998. It is the 36th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics - and a part of the Disney Renaissance - and is one of Christine's top 10 favorite Disney movies.

This movie is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, who was a heroine who joined an all-male army in the famous Chinese poem "The Ballad of Mulan." The movie is directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, with the story by Robert D. San Souci and Rita Hsiao.

The Fa family has only one child - Mulan. When this "tomboy" fails to fulfill a Chinese girl's traditional duty as desirable bride, Mulan feels she has disgraced her family. When the empire mobilizes a man from every family to fight the invading Huns, Mulan fears her father, an honorable veteran, is no longer up to fighting and joins in his place, disguising herself as the fictitious son, Fa Ping.

She prays to her family's ancestors for protection and luck before leaving as a man in her father's armor with her family's horse. The ancestors awake and decide to send Mushu, a little dishonored dragon to aid Mulan in her quest. Mulan is assigned to general Li, son captain Fa Li's training unit, and weeks later, she and the other troopers have survived the training camp and are on the way north to stop the huns. After being spotted and pursued by the enemies, an impass situation in the mountains forces Mulan to come up with an idea. But then, her real gender will no longer be a secret. She decides to risk everything in order to save China.

This is such a great movie, and Mulan is a wonderful female role model. Strong, independent, with a streak of defiance, she risks everything to make her family proud and to protect her treasured homeland.

Favorite quotes:

Mulan: My ancestors sent a little lizard to help me?
Mushu: Hey! Dragon. *Dragon*, not lizard. I don't do that tongue thing.

Fa Li: I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck.
Grandmother Fa: How lucky can they be? They're dead.

Mushu: Make a note of this. Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow, dis...
[Mulan covers his mouth with her hand]
Mulan: Stop. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just nervous. I've never done this before.

Mushu: My little baby, off to destroy people.

Mushu: I'm doomed! And all 'cause Miss Man decides to take her little drag show on the road.

Mulan: Just because I look like a man doesn't mean I have to smell like one.

The Emperor of China: The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.
Shang: Sir?
The Emperor of China: You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty.

Yao: I'm gonna hit you so hard, it'll make your ancestors dizzy.

Mushu: My little baby's all grown up and...
Mushu: [sniffle] ... and savin' China. You have a tissue?

Way Back Wednesday - Lilo & Stitch

At Christine's encouragement, I will begin featuring some of her favorite Disney movies for the next few Way Back Wednesdays. This week, I'm starting with her favorite, LILO & STITCH.

Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 by Disney and is the 42nd animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. Lilo & Stitch was nominated for the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

At the beginning of the film, we learn about Experiment 626, an aggressive and cunning creature from a far away galaxy constructed by Dr. Jumba. When Jumba is imprisoned, 626 is exiled into space. Although nearly indestructible, he is knocked unconscious when landing on Earth. He is mistaken for a dog and sent to a local animal shelter.

After the death of her parents, a Hawaiian girl - Lilo - adopts an unusual pet - Stitch - who turns out to be Experiment 626. Left in the care of her 19 year old sister, Nani, the sisters risk separation because of a social workers concerns about Lilo's care.

Nani is forced to take Lilo and Stitch with her on job interviews. During these trips, Lilo tries to "tame" Stitch by teaching him to be like Elvis Presley. During all their antics, Jumba has been sent to search for 626 and return him to his home planet.

Favorite quotes:

Stitch: [while using a VW Beetle to defend himself against attackers] Blue punch buggy... no punch-back!

Lilo: 'Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten.

Stitch: This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good.

Lilo: Our family's little now, and we don't have many toys... But if you want, you could be a part of it. You could be our baby, and we'd raise you to be good.

Captain Gantu: Abomination!
Stitch: Stupid-head!

Lilo: Elvis Presley was a model citizen. I've compiled a list of his traits for you to practice. Number one... is dancing!

Lilo: You came back.
Stitch: Nobody gets left behind.