Mulan the movie

I was really looking forward to see this film because the 1998 Disney version was so much fun, but it turned out to be the most disappointing two hours of my life. (For my friend, they was the most hypnotic two hours of her life ~ she slept like a baby all the way through!)

The script, which is potentially thinner than Kate Moss, can basically be summed up in two lines: Girl goes to war. Girl wins the war. Oh, and I guess she falls in love, too.


That's about it. And actually, re the last bit, I didn't even realise Mulan had fallen in love because the dialogue was so vague. Not to mention there was absolutely zero chemistry between the two leads.

The opening scenes where Mulan took off with her father's armour and horse were the biggest letdown. In the Disney film, it was a really poignant moment and the background music made it all appear ever so noble and heroic. In here, it just seemed like Mulan went to war to defy her chauvinist old man.

In the hour following, there was no plot and no conversation as every scene was of Mulan conquering her foes in the battle field. Her character was promoted to General in practically two seconds so you won't see any interesting scenes of her training or making friends or overcoming any difficulties (yes, I'm thinking cartoon Mulan here).

It was a total waste of a great cast and the hundreds of keh-leh-fehs that made up the battle scenes (which, in spite of everything, were majestically done). If only there had been more story development on Mulan's romance and perhaps her relationship with her father. Plus a little comic relief wouldn't kill anyone.

In conclusion, I would recommend watching Disney's "Mulan" (again?) instead of this or even the Taiwanese TV adaptation starring Anita Yuen and Vincent Zhao, which I personally found very enjoyable. I can guarantee that you will have a better time with either.

P.S. No hot guys.