32 details you may have missed in Disney's live-action 'Mulan'

Kirsten AcunaSep 4, 2020, 21:38 IST

You may not notice it the first time around, but most shots of Mulan in the live-action remake are framed in the center of the shot. That's on purpose.Disney

Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for Disney's live-action "Mulan."
After multiple watches of the film and conversations with original codirector Tony Bancroft, "Mulan" cinematographer Mandy Walker, and producer Jason Reed, Insider rounds up the best details you may have overlooked in the two-hour movie.
The new film has subtle nods to "The Ballad of Mulan" and contains a cameo that fans of the original movie may have missed the first time around.

Disney's live-action "Mulan" honors the original animated picture while adding another layer of depth to make it stand on its own.

If you're a big fan of the original, you'll appreciate the new adaptation even more as you're rewarded with callbacks and two very special cameos near the film's end.

After multiple viewings of the live-action film and revisiting the animated movie's special edition DVD, Insider rounded up the subtle nods and references to the 1998 film and the poem "The Ballad of Mulan." Parts of the new film, whether intentional or not, reference deleted and cut scenes from the animated movie.

If you want to get the most out of your watch, here's what you should keep an eye out for.

Mulan's father, Hua Zhou, narrates the movie, channeling an alternate opening for the animated movie.

Zhou tells the story from an omniscient point of view. It's reminiscent of the animated film's alternate opening that's narrated by Mulan. Disney

The new film shows more of the bond between Mulan and her father, which was also planned for the animated movie.

Scenes between Mulan and her family were cut from the original animated movie. Disney

Mulan chases after a chicken at the film's start, reminiscent of her introduction in the animated movie.

Mulan's not trying to cage up a fowl in the live-action movie. She's trying to feed them. Walt Disney Animation

Mulan accidentally breaks a family statue of a phoenix.

The phoenix is the Hua family protector. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Mulan speaks of two rabbits she sees running side by side while out riding, a likely nod to "The Ballad of Mulan."

The rabbits are mentioned in the poem to note that you can't tell the difference between a male and female rabbit. Disney

Mulan's younger sister may be another reference to "The Ballad of Mulan."

Xana Tang plays Hua Xiu. Disney

Mulan is told she has a potential match in the live-action film, something that could have happened in the animated movie.

The news takes Mulan by surprise. Almost reluctantly, she tells her family she will bring honor to them all. Disney

Jason Scott Lee plays the movie's villain, Bori Khan. You may recognize him from a different Disney live-action adaptation.

Jason Scott Lee has gone from Disney hero to Disney villain. FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

In the live-action film, we're introduced to Xianniang, Bori Khan's right-hand woman, who can turn into a hawk.

Xianniang serves as Bori Khan's eyes and ears, a role Shan Yu's spy falcon Hayabusa played in the 1998 movie. Walt Disney Studios

You can hear "Honor to Us All" play in the background as Mulan prepares to visit the matchmaker.

Mulan even says she'll bring honor to her family before the music starts. Disney

During the matchmaking session, a spider jumps toward the matchmaker, changing up a key scene from the original.

A spider, instead of a cricket, spoils Mulan's big moment. Disney

When Mulan practices with her father's sword for the first time, you can see the actress' reflection mirrored in the weapon when it faces the camera.

This wasn't planned. Liu Yifei improvised this moment which can be seen in teasers for the film. Disney

Mulan replaces her father's army scroll with her hair clip when she leaves in the middle of the night.

Mulan's hair clip is slightly different in the live-action movie. It's first seen in Mulan's hair during her visit to the matchmaker. Disney

One of Mulan's comrades in war is named Cricket.

Cricket turns out to be one of the soldiers you care the most about. Disney

Mulan pauses when she's asked her name by Commander Tung.

In the live-action film, Mulan comes up with a fake name quickly. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Po drops his towel in front of Mulan when he goes to catch something thrown his way.

Mulan sees Po, not Yao, drop his towel in the live-action movie. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

As training begins, Sergeant Qiang says, "We're going to make men out of every single one of you."

In the animated film, Donny Osmond was Li Shang's singing voice for "I'll Make a Man Out of You." Disney

Ling shares a drawing of a woman, Li Li, he's set to marry with Mulan, Cricket, and their battalion.

Ling is actually matched in the new film. As far as we know, it's not to a princess. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Mulan and Po reference lines from the song "A Girl Worth Fighting For."

Po's delivery of the line is a bit different. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

The character of Li Shang was split into two characters in the live-action movie.

Yoson An plays Honghui and Donnie Yen plays Commander Tung. Disney

More of the "Reflection" theme can be heard as Mulan successfully carries the buckets of water up a series of stone steps.

Instead of retrieving an arrow, Mulan faces a different task to overcome in the live-action movie. Disney

When Mulan finally showers in the live-action film, there's a close-up on cherry blossoms with a focus on one that has yet to bloom.

Mulan is the flower yet to blossom. Walt Disney Animation, Disney

Just like in the animated movie, Mulan's troop comes across a slain battalion.

In the live-action movie, they're referred to as the fourth battalion. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Mulan tells Commander Tung, "When employed correctly, four ounces can move 1,000 pounds." The line is similar to one the Emperor says in the animated film.

Mulan delivers the line to Tung late in the film during a time of necessity. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Honghui recites a line similar to one said by Mulan in the animated film.

Honghui and Mulan swap dialogue. Disney, Walt Disney Animation

The phoenix flies up behind Mulan after the Emperor tells her to rise up and fight for the kingdom.

The phoenix appears for Mulan when she's at a low point. The image mirrors other scenes we've seen in recent years. Disney

Ming-Na Wen, who voiced the original Mulan, introduces Liu Yifei's Mulan to the Emperor.

You may have recognized Ming-Na Wen's voice in this quick cameo. Disney

Ming-Na Wen's daughter can also be seen in the same scene.

Michaela Wen can be seen moments after her mother in the live-action movie. Disney

Mulan is almost always placed in the center of the frame.

If you keep your eye on Mulan while watching the film, she's almost always dead center. Disney

The film hints at the direction for a potential sequel that is reportedly in the works.

Mulan is invited to work for the Emperor. In "The Ballad of Mulan," she serves for a dozen years. Walt Disney Studios

The film remixes a line between Mulan and her father near the film's end.

Disney, Walt Disney Animation

Near the film's end, Mulan's father says her ancestors celebrate her success in "the vault of the heavens."

Cri-Kee and Mushu lead a celebration back at the Fa home. Walt Disney Animation

The original 'Mulan' co-director breaks down how he feels about the changes made in the live-action movie

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