Bechdel Test Movie List

/bech·del test/ n.
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

[[3]] Mulan II (2004) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by Vera on 2010-04-26 15:24:05.

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Eric F. disagreed with the rating and said:
2/3

If we're applying the Bechdel test in it's strictest, most literal interpretation... maaaaaybe Mulan 2 passes all 3. One could still argue it fails #3, even with strict adherence.
With more realistic application of the three requirements, Mulan 2 fails #3 consistently.

There were only two conversations to consider. The first, when Mulan is singing to Sha-ron and the other little village girls about being hard and soft, finding harmony. More importantly in this scene is the chorus when they sing, "One alone is not enough, you need both together." This is a marriage song. It says women need men. This is further supported throughout the rest of the movie by the many references to Mulan and Shang's yin and yang relationship.

The second "conversation" if it could be called that was when the three princesses left their tent and one asked, perhaps even just talking to herself, "I hope the tea's still warm." And then the three guards flop out of the bushes and begin their flirty games. One sentence in the entire movie that may not have even been directed at another woman. Do you really think this satisfies #3?

Mulan 2 fails the Bechdel test.
Message posted on 2013-10-25 15:45:35
gmdx said:
Eric, I'll be honest, I've never seen the whole movie, but something tells me Mulan and the princesses didn't sit around and talk about men all day.
Your first example is wrong. The line (and the whole song) is about the balance between gentleness and strength, NOT marriage.
Also, every good romantic partnership should have a good yin yang balance.
Lastly, the song "I Want to be like Other Girls" makes this movie a pass, as marriage is mentioned only once in a three minute song. (Assuming that a song counts as a conversation. I can't see why it wouldn't.)
Message posted on 2015-01-10 19:58:46

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