Mulan

After reading the original Mulan story, I can see how some people might think that the Disney version is overly Westernized, yet I can also see why some things might have been added to the Disney story. Those who argue against the Disney version could argue that the love story subplot between Mulan and the captain takes focus away from the true story and distracts viewers from Mulan's true actions and triumphs. In including a love story, the tale is Westernized to imply that even though Mulan was brave enough to fight for her father in the army, the tale would not be complete without her finding a potential husband. However, some aspects of the Disney version are needed to make the film relatable and into a coherent film, such as the back story about preparing for marriage in China and the accepted customs and beliefs of families. Explaining these things is important because not all young, Western audiences have prior knowledge of these customs of the East. In this respect, I would argue that anything designed to be viewed by many different cultures should be adapted in such a way that it allows the audience to understand the culture in which they are viewing; this, however, can be done in a way so as to not diminish the purpose and basic story of the original tale.