Mulan II [SOUNDTRACK]

Joel McNeely (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Joel McNeely
• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B00076YP6M
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,599 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Vocally Strong, Instrumental Tracks Just Okay, March 15, 2005

By	George Buttner "Agent0042" (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I watched the "Mulan II" DVD and decided I'd like to get the soundtrack. At under $10, I'd say it's well worth your money. While I thought the instrumental pieces (which follow the vocal pieces on this CD) got sort of old and repetitive after a while, overall I still think this is a great soundtrack.

"Lesson Number One" --- I loved this one from the moment I saw / heard it in the movie. It's very cute and seems to fit well with the movie's theme. There's some very catchy harmonization and overall fun and memorable lyrics.

"A Girl Worth Fighting For (Redux)" --- Heh. This is just straight-up, plain-old good fun. The song from the original "Mulan" is taken and turned on its head. If this doesn't get a few good laughs from you, check your pulse, 'cause you may be dead.

"Like Other Girls" --- This one is just all right for me. I can take it or leave it. However, it does inspire another, better, song...

"(I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls" --- This pop-spin on the above song is performed by an artist I had never heard of before, Atomic Kitten. In my review of the "Mulan II" DVD, I said that I didn't like it quite as much as "True to Your Heart" from the original "Mulan," I am liking it more and more each time I listen to it. It's very fast-paced, very fun and I find myself wanting to sing along with it just because of that, even though I'm not a girl and therefore don't wanna be "like other girls."

"Here Beside Me" --- I didn't like this one at all at first, but I'm starting to get into it. I found the vocal a bit screechy at first, but then I listened more closely and it's actually kinda, well, beautiful. It's also very different from everything else on the soundtrack, which makes it stand out. There's also an instrumental version at the end of the CD.


If you liked the music from the original "Mulan" as much as I did, I think you'll like this too. Even if you only like a couple of songs, I think this one is worth it. Check it out and give it more than one shot like I did if you're not entirely fond of some of it at first. Perhaps with more listenings, I'll even come to like the instrumental pieces more.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST Straight to DVD Releases from Disney., February 7, 2005

By	Jedi_Master_Yoda "JMY" (Nashville, Tennessee) - See all my reviews

When Aladdin II Return of Jafar came out years ago, I thought that the idea that Disney would release some of their films straight to the consumer was a sour one. Aladdin III did not help change that opinion to much though it was better. Mulan II is by far the best Straight to DVD/VHS release Disney has ever done. Why on earth did they not release it to theaters as well though. The story is funny, thought provoking, and above all flawless. It is a shame it is not longer. The songs are also great, but then Disney is well known for combining lyrical song with story very well, at least in most cases.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good cd, July 13, 2005

A Kid's Review

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!