Since it was announced that Disney was doing a live-action remake of Mulan, we've been on the edge of our seats waiting for it. With everything that has been going on in the world, we’ve certainly needed a bit of excitement and a lot of girl power in our lives. And, thankfully, one of our favourite heroines is back.

The new Mulan is gorgeous to watch and, like its predecessor, it’s one that the family will love. It’s heart-warming and blood-pumping at the same time, with all the Disney magic you would expect. There are sweet moments between Mulan and her family and her friends as well action-fuelled scenes of battles and incredibly choreographed fights.

Many of us grew up with the animated Mulan, and it will always have a special place in our hearts. The live-action Mulan is just as spectacular and inspiring to watch. We’ve spotted some differences between the two, which you can look out for too.

Warning: some (sort of) spoilers ahead…

There are no songs

When it was announced that the new Mulan would have no songs, there was an (understandable) upset. After all, who hasn’t danced around their bedroom while belting out Reflection? The 1998 soundtrack features Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and 98 Degrees, and we were hoping for an equally incredible album this time round. While there are no musical numbers, the soundtrack pays homage to the songs from the animation, and Aguilera has also recorded a new heartfelt ballad, Loyal Brave True.

Mulan doesn’t chop her hair off

It’s a powerful moment in the animated film when Mulan cuts her own hair and runs away to fight in her father’s place. That doesn’t happen in the live action Mulan. Instead, she ties her hair up and when she steals her father’s armour, she leaves her jade hairpin so they know that it was her. For most of the film, Mulan wears her hair in a bun, but then in the middle of a battle, she lets her hair flow freely – and that’s a really powerful moment.

The sidekicks are gone

Ariel had Flounder. Rapunzel had Pascal. Who would a Disney princess be without her sidekick? Well, she’d be Mulan. In this live action movie, Mushu and Cri-Kee are gone – but they’re not entirely lost to us. While we’re missing Mushu’s wise-cracking jokes, he appears in some way as a stunning phoenix spirit that helps to guide Mulan through the film. And Cri-Kee – who was given to Mulan as a good luck charm by her grandmother – has been replaced by a fellow soldier called Cricket, who fights by Mulan’s side.

Mulan is born with special powers

Who doesn’t love the I’ll Make a Man Out of You training montage in the animated film? We see Mulan messing up her training and almost get sent home because of her clumsiness, and it’s only when she manages to retrieve the arrow from the pole that she starts to transform into a warrior. Well, in the new Mulan, she is born with a special energy – her chi – which makes her an amazing fighter when she learns how to master it.

There’s no Li Shang

Li Shang was pretty dreamy – strong, mysterious but also sweet. We’re not going to deny it – we had a crush on him. Sadly, he is missing from the new film – but with a very good reason. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, it would have been problematic for a relationship to develop between a senior commanding officer and someone in a more junior position. Li Shang will have to stay in the animation, and in our hearts…

Bori Khan is the new baddie

In the 1998 film, Shan Yu is the villain – he is terrifying and cruel and offers a worthy opponent for a beloved heroine. In the 2020 Mulan, she faces Bori Khan, a baddie set on vengeance. We learn in his backstory that his family died at the hands of the Emperor and now he wants both payback and power.

There’s a new girl-fight story

In the new Mulan, she has to fight against a new female villain Xian Lang, a witch with incredible powers who assists Bori Khan. Like Mulan, she was born with lots of chi, but after being cast out from her home, she uses her powers for evil. Mulan has to fight this sorceress, as well as the temptation to use her chi for selfish reasons.

The love story isn’t such a love story

One of the best things about Mulan is that her main concern is saving China, and she can think about boys after. As mentioned above, Commander Li Shang doesn’t appear in the live action film – instead, he’s been replaced with Chen Honghui, who is a fellow soldier. But don’t hold your breath for a final kiss. There are definitely romantic moments in the film, but in this girl power film, Mulan has more important things to do.

Stream Mulan on Disney Plus with Premier Access for £19.99__. Disney+ subscription required.