Introduction
Animated movies have gained widespread popularity as a form of entertainment. Brave and Mulan are two animated movies that have attracted much attention. Brave and Mulan are animated films produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Feature Animation, respectively.
Brave is a story about a young girl, Merida, the protagonist, and her strained relationship with her mother. The film’s setting is Medieval Scotland, characterized by spectacular animation and amazing landscapes. Moreover, the story explores the themes of family, tradition, and self-discovery.
Likewise, Mulan is a film about a young girl in ancient China, Mulan, who is highly spirited. Her courageous nature drives her to rescue her elderly father by assuming a male persona and enlisting in the Chinese army. In the war, she fights against all odds and defeats the terrible Hun invaders, thus saving the Emperor and bringing great honor to her beloved parents and community. Although Brave and Mulan have vastly different cinematography and plot structures, they share a common theme of a heroine’s struggle for autonomy, which inspires women to break societal norms and expectations.
Similarity
Heroine’s Struggle for Autonomy
Brave and Mulan movies feature strong-willed, determined heroines who pursue their dreams and desires against traditional societal norms and expectations. In Brave, Merida is a headstrong and independent princess who resents her mother’s attempts to control her life and force her into an arranged marriage (Brave 00:33:45–00:42:00). She challenges the traditional expectation that women are only meant to be good wives and mothers and instead seeks her independence and identity by competing in archery.
Similarly, in Mulan, the heroine fights against gender stereotypes and societal expectations that dictate women’s roles in the patriarchal society of ancient China. She must conform to traditional gender roles and meet her family’s expectations. However, she disguises herself as a man and enlists in the army to protect her father’s honor and save her country from invading forces (Mulan 00:27:00–00:35:00). She proves her worth as a skilled warrior and eventually saves the Emperor and defeats the Huns (Mulan 01:03:00–01:20:00). Mulan‘s actions not only challenge the status quo but also serve as an inspiration to other women in the film.
Differences
Cinematography
Brave and Mulan differ in cinematography, particularly in camera movement and angles, lighting, color, and composition. In Brave, the film employs a more dynamic camera movement. For instance, in the scene where Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor, ride their horses through the forest, the camera moves with them, creating a sense of motion and excitement (Brave 00:35:00–00:36:40). In Mulan, the camera moves erratically and shakily. This is evident when Mulan climbs the pole to retrieve the arrow, where the camera moves erratically to capture her movements (Mulan 00:30:10).
Brave uses various angles to convey different emotions and perspectives. Low-angle shots are used to show the power and dominance of the characters. In the scene where Merida confronts the lords, for instance, the camera is positioned low, looking up at the lords, who tower over Merida (Brave 00:50:00–00:55:00). In contrast, Mulan uses high-angle shots to show vulnerability and weakness, such as when Mulan is sitting on the roof after running away from home. The camera is high above her, making her appear small and insignificant.
In addition to camera movement and angles, the lighting in Mulan is generally soft and muted, giving the film a more traditional, classic look. However, it changes in certain scenes, such as the battle scenes, where the lighting becomes more dramatic and intense, creating a sense of danger and urgency. In Brave, the movie’s use of warm and bright light creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. An example is when Merida and her mother are sewing (Brave 00:10:00–00:15:00). The lighting is soft and warm, creating a sense of peace and contentment. Additionally, lighting has been used to create a more naturalistic, realistic feel, using soft, diffused lighting in outdoor scenes.
In terms of color, Brave uses warm, earthy colors such as green, brown, and orange to create a natural and organic atmosphere. In addition, these colors are used to create a sense of the Scottish landscape, emphasizing the connection between the characters and their environments, such as Merida and her mother riding their horses through the forest (Brave 00:35:00–00:36:40). The colors of the trees and foliage are vivid and lush, thus portraying a sense of vibrancy and life. In contrast, Mulan uses a lot of red and black to create a sense of danger and power. An example, in the movie, is when Mulan fights Shan Yu (Mulan 01:15:00–01:20:00). Black and red are the predominant colors, thus creating a sense of intensity and aggression.
Finally, in Mulan, the composition is generally symmetrical, with many shots featuring centered, balanced compositions. This creates a sense of stability, order, and discipline. For example, in the scene where Mulan is training with her fellow soldiers (Mulan 00:20:00–00:25:00), the composition is orderly and regimented, thus emphasizing the military precision of the training. The composition has also been used to create a sense of action and movement in the film. This is clearly illustrated when Mulan and her fellow soldiers charge into battle, and the composition is filled with dynamic diagonal lines and shapes.
In contrast, Brave uses more dynamic compositions. The movie uses diagonal lines and asymmetrical framing to illustrate movement and excitement. A typical illustration is where Merida and her mother are fighting. In this scene, the camera uses asymmetrical framing to create a sense of tension and conflict.
Plot
Plot refers to the events that comprise the story, and it is an essential element that determines audience engagement. Both movies feature a powerful female protagonist who challenges societal expectations. However, their plot structures vary significantly regarding pacing, themes, and overall execution.
Mulan revolves around the heroine’s struggle as she tries to find her place in a patriarchal society and her determination to protect her family and country from invasion. The film follows Mulan, a girl who disguises herself as a man to join the army and goes ahead to face various challenges and obstacles. She eventually emerges as a hero after winning a war against the Huns. The plot rushes, with a definite sense of urgency and momentum at the start, but builds toward a decisive battle at the end. Throughout her transformation, Mulan learns valuable lessons about courage, loyalty, and the importance of self-discovery.
Contrarily, Brave is built on the strained relationship between the main protagonist, Princess Merida, and her mother, Queen Elinor, and their efforts to reconcile. The story develops at a more relaxed pace, highlighting the importance of character development while at the same time exploring the themes of family, tradition, and self-discovery. Merida embarks on a quest to break a curse she unintentionally unleashes on her family, resulting in a more profound comprehension and appreciation of her mother’s standpoint.
Additionally, the structure and story arcs of the two movies vary significantly. Mulan adheres to a three-act structure that includes an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. In contrast, Brave takes a more unorthodox approach. The film has a plot that meanders and delves deeply into the characters’ emotions and relationships.
Moreover, the two films differ in their story arcs. Mulan‘s plot centers on four main points: her journey as a warrior, her struggles to gain acceptance from her fellow soldiers and her family, and the battles she faces along the way. Conversely, Brave‘s plot focuses on the relationship between a mother and daughter and their conflicting perspectives on Merida’s future. The movie emphasizes the emotional journey that both Merida and her mother undergo, with less emphasis on battles and action.
Conclusion
Brave and Mulan both explore the theme of a heroine striving for independence, motivating women to challenge societal norms and expectations. In addition, both movies showcase strong-willed, determined heroines who go against traditional expectations to pursue their dreams and desires. However, despite their similarities, the two films’ cinematography and plot structures are vastly different.
Mulan features traditional hand-drawn animation that draws heavily from Chinese art and culture. Brave uses computer-generated imagery to capture the rugged beauty of medieval Scotland. Mulan‘s plot revolves around Mulan‘s struggle against gender stereotypes and societal expectations, while Brave presents the themes of tradition, family, and self-discovery. However, both films ultimately inspire viewers with their messages of courage, determination, and empowerment, proving that heroism knows no boundaries.
Works Cited
Brave. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, performances by Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, and Craig Ferguson, Pixar Animation Studios, 2012.
Mulan. Directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, performances by Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, James Hong, Pat Morita, and George Takei, Walt Disney Feature Animation, 1998.