Mulan II

Disney management has often been accused of sacrificing the long-term quality of its animated features for the short-term pay-off of direct-to-video sequels to its middling modern successes. But as this soundtrack-sequel to the studio's 1998 quasi-feminist Chinese folk-tale proves, the music of such ventures can often compare favorably with that of the original. This new collection's buoyant "(I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls" is offered up in two versions: A more traditional stage musical take and an antic cover by Atomic Kitten that's pure teeny-bopping Disney Channel fodder. That's Harvey Fierstein lending his gravelly pipes to the equally spry redux of "A Girl Worth Fighting For," while the decidedly more angelic pipes of Kiwi teen soprano phenom Hayley Westenra grace the elegant "Here Beside Me" by Joel McNeely and Kate Light. Selections from McNeely's deft, emotionally understated orchestral score flesh out the collection. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Excellent Score... I Could do Without the Songs

What a masterpiece by McNeely! The new "Mulan" theme nearly matches Goldsmith's theme in quality and even transcends it in sheer tragic beauty. Granted, if you hate the "animated" score sound, you will hate a few moments in this one... However you will also be swept away by some truly sweeping moments of beauty that bring back the glory days of Goldsmith, Barry or even Williams.

Overall, this is a highly recommended score!
Kudos Mr. McNeely! March 10, 2008

Alright....

The music in this sequal is nothing compared to the first movie, but the tunes are catchy, and for a child that just enjoyed the movie, I could see how this would be a CD they'd want to hear over and over. It could get a bit annoying to their parents however. I would suggest seeing the movie before purchasing this soundtrack, for the songs are out of order from the movie, and it's always better to have a visual of what's going on before listening to the music alone.
I wasn't impressed, but I did enjoy it. November 30, 2005

Terrible movie, but good soundtrack!

As a Chinese, I think this movie was terrible, because it made the tale of Mulan very confuse and strange. I don't want to see this movie again. But I bought this soundtrack, because the music was very good. Being fond of Lea Salonga's voice was one of the reasons.
The first song in this movie was "Lesson Number One", and it was my favourite. I love the choirs of children, it was perfect! It made me recognize the children's choirs in the church. Lea Salonga's voice was so sweet, and it's my favourite style! "A girl worth fighting for" came up in this soundtrak but it was remixed, and most of the lyrics were changed. Although it was very different from the original one, I love it. Because it gave me a good feeling, and I felt that it was more humorous than the original one. Another song named "Like other girls" is one of my favourites. Mei's voice was a little strange but very cute. The three princesses seemed to be crazy, but I could feel their emotion that they were eager of freedom and very unsetisfied with the arranged marrige. I felt very happy that they found their love and happiness by the end.
This was a movie which was so terrible but with perfect songs I have ever seen! November 3, 2005

good cd

i saw the mulan II and loved the music in it, so i went out and bought the cd. here are my comments on each song-

1. lesson number one- 5/5. cute song
2. main title (score)- 5/5. i thought this was so pretty!
3. like other girls- 5/5. i absolutely love this song! it has a great beat, and just makes you want to sing along.
4. girl worth fighting for (redux)- 5/5. i love this song too, its funny
5. here beside me- 5/5. the first time i listened to it, i thought it was "ok", but now i think its great!
6. (i wanna be) like other girls (atomic kitten)- 5/5. i thought it was a great version of the original.

the next five songs, which are scores, are also very good!

overall, this cd was well worth my money, and the movie was even better! July 14, 2005

Eh

The 'other girls' song is cute, but this reminds me of the follows up to pocahontas and cinderella and the little mermaid. Aladin's did well enough to make more, but...I think it really does have to do with the music. Mulan had that strong "reflection" by christina aguilera when she was first coming out, that established her as THE best voice, and that song, in spanish or english works well on it's own also. These sequals keep failing to have a strong song. The strengths here lie with the new score, new themes. It's easier to create a better classical piece for Disney it seems. And they have so many talented singers at their disposal... July 4, 2005

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