Disney’s Raya And The Last Dragon: 5 Ways It’ll Be The New Mulan (& Why It Won’t Come Close)

A new Disney princess movie called Raya and the Last Dragon is set to be released in March 2021, and many are calling it the new Mulan. It features a lot of the same elements as this Disney classic from 1998, but there are also quite a few differences that make it impossible to even consider a comparison. However, fans will have to wait until 2021 to find out for themselves which film is the best of the two.

The visuals will obviously be better in Raya and the Last Dragon, as technology has improved over time, but there is a certain charm to this older movie that can’t be beaten. Upon closer inspection, it is easy to see where this new movie could rise to the top, as well as ways in which Mulan is no match!

10 New Mulan: Based On Southeast Asia

Mulan is based in China, and, even though Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantasy, it does focus on Southeast Asian elements. It takes the landscape to a whole new level as it combines several countries within this realm into a single film in terms of culture and landscape. Mulan did contain aspects of Chinese culture, but it is one of the many complaints about the movie as it lacks historical accuracy.

9 Won’t Come Close: No Romance In Sight

When watching the trailer for the new movie, there is not a single instance of romance in sight. Mulan had Li Shang, with whom she had obvious chemistry, and even the Emperor could tell when they both came to his aid. It has become a new trend in Disney movies for women not to rely on a prince to save them, but many would argue that a good love story is necessary especially in a film of this magnitude.

8 New Mulan: Sisu Is The New Mushu

The dragon in Raya and the Last Dragon is named Sisu, and she is voiced by Awkwafina. Mushu from Mulan was voiced by Eddie Murphy, another well-known actor with a highly-expressive voice that made this sidekick even more memorable in Mulan.

When watching Awkwafina’s previous films, it can be guessed that her attitude and comedic lines will be similar to that of Mushu’s, which is just another way this film will be the new Mulan.

7 Won’t Come Close: Mulan Was Bringing Honor To Her Family

Mulan went to war for her father and to bring honor to her family, even though her job as a woman was to take on a domestic role. It makes her journey so much more emotional and meaningful, as everything she did was in the name of her father to keep him from facing death in his condition.

Raya doesn’t have the same resolve as she is just out to save her people, and, while noble, it’s not as detrimental as the task that Mulan had set before her. Mulan had to keep her gender hidden from her peers while still matching their skill and strength in order for her identity not to be questioned.

6 New Mulan: Updated Outfit

Raya’s outfit is an updated version of Mulan’s, as it still sticks to the traditional Asian theme, but with a few upgrades. Mulan’s outfits were fairly drab, especially when it came to her armor, but Raya’s are full of color and texture. A part of this has to do with the advancement of technology, but it also includes the essence of fantasy that this film is based on.

5 Won’t Come Close: Mulan Is Based On A Ballad

The story of Mulan wasn’t created by Disney; rather, it started as a ballad that they gave their own spin. Disney came up with Raya and the Last Dragon from scratch, so it doesn’t have the same historical feel as the latter. It is something that can never be taken away from Mulan, as watching it sends viewers back in time to the days of Imperial China.

4 New Mulan: Based In A Fantasy Land

While Mulan might be based on fact, it is the leeway of the fantasy that will make Raya and the Last Dragon so comparable to Mulan, and possibly mark it as one of the best Disney princess movies ever made. The opportunities are endless, as there are no limits to what she can do or arguments against the historical accuracy of the final production.

The new film has already made up a few new creatures and expanded the landscape to that of a desert wasteland. The Druun that Raya is fighting against isn’t even real, and fans are waiting to see what this new villainous monster will look like.

3 Won’t Come Close: Classic Songs

Mulan is full of songs like “Honor to Us All,” “Reflection,” and “I’ll Make A Man Out of You,” which will be stuck in Disney fans’ heads until the end of time. There haven’t been any hints at the potential songs in Raya and the Last Dragon, but they surely won’t beat those included in the 1998 classic. The background music they chose for the trailer is stellar, although this could be as good as it gets.

2 New Mulan: Better Fighting

Raya is a better fighter than Mulan and would definitely best her in a fight, as Mulan focused on intelligence rather than skill. This new princess has years of training with numerous weapons, as well as the know-how to be nimble and light on her feet. It is a new era of Mulan, as it takes these action scenes to the next level, and she even fights with a sword of a similar style to Mulan’s

1 Won’t Come Close: Mulan’s Friendship With Her Comrades

Mulan had a close relationship with her comrades on the war front that lasted even after they discovered she was a woman. Raya goes off on her own with Tuk Tuk and doesn’t leave room for this same kind of relationship, especially when it comes to breaking social norms. It is one thing this new film will never have on the old and the biggest reason as to why this classic will never be forgotten.

About The Author