Song: "Reflection" (from Mulan) sung by Lea Salonga
Lyrics: metrolyrics
Theme: Rue/Kraehe Tribute
Spoilers: Yes
Review: First of all, props for song choice. I've loved this song since... well, I can't really remember when exactly, but in all its forms this song has resonated with me, and it is a perfect song choice for Rue. It really is a wonderful look into herself, her thoughts, her fears. And it fits with her.
That we begin with a view of Rue as Kraehe, reflected in Mytho's eyes, is great, and very telling. Not only is this a time when she is not who she thought she always was, in front of her beloved Prince, but she is realizing it. She realizes that her own self is not who she expected, who she wanted. She is forced to look, though, despite her hesitancy and worries.
I thought it was clever to use the 'wedding' scene with the lyrics about a bride, with her forcing Mytho back to her. The following scene with her as a child similarly fits nicely. The next few bits are done well, too; there's plenty of fearful moments for her later in the series to pull from, and the chosen pieces are good. (the little ballerina bit from 0:19-21 did kind-of feel like filler though)
I will say that the brief flash of 'recognition/sight' from 0:31-34, doesn't quite fit. The next line talks about her being herself, but the flash is of Mytho's hand/arm. Given the ample video to pull from if lyric matching was as important as the rest of the video seems to suggest, then this was not the best choice. It's slightly distracting.
I really like the interlude of Rue and Mytho dancing after the festival, though, especially with the lyrics about her being herself.
However, there are times when it would be good to not follow the lyrics so closely. 0:39-42 is a good example. It fits the lyrics, in a way, but so literally and ironically, I actually find it rather humorous. XD And that would be fine! If this were that type of video. But the rest of it is so serious and sincere, that this brief burst of humor makes me unsure if I should be laughing at it, even though I can't see it any other way. So that kind-of breaks the mood a bit.
Although, the immediately following bit with Kraehe is good - a question of Rue's identity faced with the overbearing presence of Kraehe. The next while does a very nice job showing the uncertainty of Rue/Kraehe, her frustration, her fear. It's interesting that Kraehe is who is defined as her true self, although really from Rue's view that is true. I love the bit at 1:15-18. Juxtaposition of cool and composed Kraehe against a wavering and wobbly Rue, in the Giselle episode. One, the allusion to the episode at that time, "though I've tried" [to hide who I am] is fantastic, because that's really when Rue starts to realize that maybe she isn't all she thought she was. She's starting seeing through her own self-deception, at least a little. And also the fact that the hiding is a futile effort. She's wobbling on her certainty of self, and she is going to fall, no matter how hard she tries not to. It's rather heartbreaking, actually. ;w;
And then we have adorable little Rue, crying out to be accepted... And possibly her visions for what she wants for her future, who she believes she really and truly is! A princess for her Prince!
And then, the Depths of Despair as she concedes to herself that it will never be..... ;_;
But then we get an awesome look at what she truly becomes, her true self inside, a ballerina princess with her prince! <3 ... Although with the ending feeling, it's more like another hopeless dream that won't come to be... ;w;
That is one thing. That ending clarity is rather rough, so I'm not sure exactly what the ending feeling was supposed to be - heartrendingly hopeless, or beautifully fulfilling? Still not entirely sure. :/
Quality-wise, the video was very nicely done. Most of the clips chosen were done quite well, and they flowed fairly well throughout the video. There were no effects really, that I could see, and while that didn't take away from the video, I do feel like at least a few smoother transitions would have added something more.
Overall, I really like this video. However, I don't feel like it's anything crazy-specialtacular. With a little bit more refining, perhaps, and getting rid of that ambiguity regarding atmosphere, I think it could be a better video. Mostly that scene with the Raven exploding. Because as humorous as I still find it, it doesn't fit the video's tone.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
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