133 – Mulan (w/ Rhianna Dhillon)

With their friendship mercifully intact, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers get down to business with 1998’s Mulan – bringing with them all the force of a great typhoon, the strength of a ranging fire, and very special guest Rhianna Dhillon! Get ready for deconstructions of masculinity, much praise for nearly-axed hero Cri-Kee, discussions of the original Chinese folksong, explorations of Mulan’s true identity, and praise for the film’s impressive, spectacle-filled action sequences. Plus, Rhianna is taken back to her youthful adoration of Li Shang, Sam recalls the greatest nights of his teenage life, Ben learns a great Star Wars fact – and a bombshell is dropped: could ‘I’ll Make A Man Out Of You’ really be the best Disney song of all time? Press play, and let the legend unfold… Next up: Tarzan Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.