Buena Vista Entertainment, $279
This straight-to-DVD sequel to Mulan, which was one of Disney's best animated feature movies, isn't supposed to be released until February next year, according to Amazon.com. But there are already copies on the shelves in Hong Kong. And why not? We usually have to wait months for Hollywood films to come our way, so it seems only fair that we get the first look at the continuing story of Chinese legend Fa Mulan - although this part of her story is strictly a Disney invention.
Although it would be difficult to beat the original Mulan feature, Mulan 2 does a good job of trying. The story begins a month after the original ends. Mulan is trying to get used to being the hero of China, as well as preparing for her imminent marriage to her love, Captain Shang. Despite the chaos, which seems to be a part of Mulan's life, it appears everything is eventually going to settle down nicely.
However, Mulan and Captain Shang are given one last mission before they retire to Mulan's farming village. They've been instructed by the emperor to escort his three young daughters, Ting, Mei and Sue, to a neighbouring kingdom, so they can do their royal duty and marry the three princes who live there.
Mulan enlists the help of Mushu, and her Three-Stooges-like pals Ling, Yao and Chen Po, and away they go on a journey that's both perilous and hilarious, finding their way through the backwoods of China and escaping marauding Mongolians.
The stresses of the mission are a source of conflict between Mulan and her intended, as you may have guessed. As for the three princesses, they're just as conflicted. Should they do their duty and marry the strangers, or should they 'be true to their hearts'? (You don't get any points for figuring out the three fellows whom each of the princesses falls in love with.)