Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

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Free Music Notes for Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

Free Music Review: One of the Best in Recent Years
Hit: 5 Stars

For the story, one must watch the fantastic film, which surprised even Disney with its success (considering it was made in far-off Florida, out of the watchful eyes of corporate execs, which probably could explain some of it). For the music, the soundtrack is a highlight and a must for any fan of Disney music, or those who are fans of epic film scores.

For the Disneyphiles, the songs from the film, written by Matthew Wilder (the 80's pop singer who had a hit with "Break My Stride") and David Zippell (Tony Award winner for the lyrics to "City of Angels"), are catchy and mostly memorable. Sung by a great cast (including Lea Salonga, Donny Osmond, and Harvey Firestein), they help tell the story, set up conflict, etc.--just as any good musical numbers should.

The strongest of the songs is the contemplative song for the heroine, which sets up the struggle she faces and the reason behind her decisions in the film. Called "Reflection," it is beautifully sung by Lea Salonga. Following closely on its heels is "Honor to Us All," which shows the prospect facing a young woman in ancient China and how the best honor she could bring to her family was to marry well. (The song also features a performance by legendary voice Marni Nixon, the singing voice of Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady.") A personal favorite, mostly for the sheer chutzpah of the number is "I'll Make a Man Out of You," which shows Mulan's struggle and ultimate success to make it in a man's world. The song that most annoys me is "A Girl Worth Fighting For." I like the song, but because of the way it stops dead in its tracks in the film, it abruptly ends without ever actually going anywhere.

The two pop numbers included, "Reflection" by a pre-skanky Christina Aguilera and "True to Your Heart" by boy band 98 Degrees and legend Stevie Wonder, are their own category. They fit the long-standing tradition, since Disney's earliest films, of having pop versions of the songs recorded for radio. Unfortunately, "True to Your Heart" has different lyrics than what are heard over the end credits (instead of being about being true to yourself, it becomes about being true to the guy who has fallen in love with you). This would be fine if the film hadn't gone out of its way to keep romance (unlike most other Disney films) from being the main relationship between the hero and the heroine. "Reflection" is fine and an example of what Christina can actually can sound like--this was recorded long before she became a star--and long before she became skanky.

The true wonder of this album is the epic war film score. It's almost as if Jerry Goldsmith was given the assignment without anyone telling him it was an animated musical. His score is dark, powerful, and full of wailing, soaring instruments. The "Suite from Mulan" is a nice orchestral version of the songs in the show, but better are the straight "action" cues: "Attack at the Wall," "The Huns Attack" and "The Burned-Out Village." Epic in every sense of the word, the score is truly the highlight of the whole album.

Although the score managed an Oscar nomination (losing to "Shakespeare in Love" for some inexplicable reason), the song "Reflection" failed to secure a nomination.

In light of recent Disney films, and the impending demise of hand-drawn animation from the studio altogether, it is a shame that the company can't look at films like MULAN and realize that strong stories, combined with great animation and incredible music, will keep people coming back. Sadly, current management can only see its animated legacy as an excuse to make direct to video sequels. Prepare for Mulan II, coming sometime in 2004.

I doubt if Jerry Goldsmith will want to attach his name to the next one.

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