With Mulan, Disney proves again why it is the king of animation. Awesome cinematography, a great screenplay, and easily accessible characters bring this movie to life.

The setting is ancient China, a culture piously entrenched in its antiquated tradition of subjugating women, drafting the elderly to fight in wars, and ostracizing (or worse, murdering) anyone not willing to go along with its precepts. In what has become a signature of modern Disney animations, the hero of the story dislauds confining cultural norms, and in doing so manages to save the day. Yes, the story itself is more or less predictable, but the Disney crew manages it with such flair, wit, and artistic beauty that watching is a pure delight.