When screen beauty Ming-Na took the title voice for the modern-day Disney classic "Mulan," she knew it wasn't going to be an average acting gig. As a native of Macau, China, it was going to a great honor to help tell the legendary tale.
"Being Chinese, I grew up with the story of Fa Mulan, so I always realized the importance of that character and her story really helped to shape ideals in my mind," Ming-Na told me in an @ The Movies interview. "I wanted to make sure that character had a lot of strength and conviction in herself."
In the film, Mulan, bound by the traditions of society, secretly disguises herself as a man to take her proud, but ailing father's place in the Imperial Army. Originally released in 1998 to big box office returns and critical acclaim, the film debuts on special edition DVD (Walt Disney Home Entertainment) this week.
When I caught up with Ming-Na at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., last October, she was in the process of doing the voice work for a made-for-video sequel, "Mulan II," which is scheduled for a February release.
Needless to say, she was thrilled at the opportunity to reprise her character. It gives her a chance that she wouldn't have ever had if Disney didn't take a chance on producing the first movie.
"I was amazed that Disney was taking such a risk creating a story based on all Chinese characters, so it was really important that that film succeeded -- and I think it succeeded beyond their expectations," Ming-Na observed. "I thought the story, universally, touched a lot of people's lives."
Ming-Na certainly is no stranger to the entertainment business, having appeared in such films as "The Joy Luck Club" and "One Night Stand," the daytime drama "As the World Turns" and the sitcom "The Single Guy." Since 2000, she's starred in the hit drama "ER," where she plays medical student-turned-attending physician Deb (Jing-Mei) Chen.
But for fans that know her solely for her voice roles (which also include the lead in "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" and television's "The Batman"), Ming-Na can, for the most part, enjoy being anonymous.
But young fans, don't be discouraged: She loves meeting you!
"If they find out I'm the voice of Mulan, then I'm like a rock and roll star to them," Ming-Na said, laughing.
George Takei: Trekking To The World Of 'Mulan' Ming-Na is only of the one of the many stars of "Mulan," which also features the voice talents of Eddie Murphy (Mushu), B.D. Wong (Captain Shang), Harvey Fierstein (Yao), Miguel Ferrer (Shan-Yu), Gedde Watanabe (Ling) and Pat Morita (the Emperor of China). Donny Osmond and Lea Salonga provide the singing voices of Captain Shang and Mulan, respectively.
The film also stars "Star Trek" legend George Takei, who voices the pivotal role of the First Ancestor, who awakens the demoted dragon, Mushu, to help protect Mulan in her quest.
"My nephew's little girl just loves those scenes with Mushu," Takei told me, laughing, in a recent @ The Movies interview. "She says 'Uncle George,' even though I'm her grand uncle, 'You're not fat -- but your voice is fat.' Ah, that great obese First Ancestor that my voice is attached to."
While "Mulan" has its fine share of laughs, there are lessons layered in as well. Takei said that that's when movies are at their best.
"You learn in an entertaining way, which I think is the most effective way of learning," Takei said. "You learn something about another world, another culture and another set of values -- and, it's engagingly entertaining. In all those respects, Disney has done a wonderful job."
Like Ming-Na, Takei will reprise his character's voice for "Mulan II." He shared some of the film's details.
"It's about Mulan going one step further. She's very much like the character we met in the first film," Takei explained. "Mulan and Shang's relationship takes on a very real and believable dimension. In many ways, I think 'Mulan II' is a very contemporary story."
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Ming-Na On 'Mulan' Clip #1
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