Paul Magne Haakonsen Forget about the sugar-coated Disney versions and forget about talking animals. This 2009 movie is based on the legend of Mulan, the woman taking the place of her father in order to go to war, and whose accomplishments led her to rise as a general in the Wei army.While this movie is entertaining in terms of action, drama and warfare, then if you are already familiar with the story of Hua Mulan, then there is very little surprises throughout the course of the movie. Well, aside from the devious Mushu dragon is not here."Hua Mulan" does differ from many other movies in the genre, that being big, epic war movies. Sure, there are battlescenes throughout the movie, and they are impressive, but if you are expecting the same grand level of epic warfare as in many other movies of the Chinese warfare genre, then you might find yourself somewhat disappointed. "Hua Mulan" focuses more on drama and character Development, as such it is story- and character-driven, putting the war and action sequences in second line.I was especially impressed with the costumes and props in "Hua Mulan". There were some many great details to be seen here. The armors, shields and weaponry was really impressive. And for a movie set in this age, then having a believable and realistic presentation is a must. So thumbs up on their achievement here.The acting in the movie was good, although I think they could have had some more talented people in the roles of Hua Mulan (played by Wei Zhao) and Fei Xiaohu (played by Jaycee Chan). Don't get me wrong, they didn't do poor jobs, I just think that someone more talented could have added more to the movie. Kun Chen (playing Wentai) was really doing a phenomenal job though, and he alone lifted the movie a great deal."Hua Mulan" is a good and entertaining movie. But there are far better choices in the Chinese warfare genre, should you be looking for such entertainment. I am rating "Hua Mulan" six out of ten stars.

hauteclaire5 I first saw the Disney Mulan and thought that it would be something like that. But I met something completely different in a very positive way. There was also no gi jane trying to show the world something, mulan was just a person who grew with the duty and just did what she had to do.The film left out all the gender conflicts beside and truly presented us a pure touching story.Hua Mulan being a great general and warrior is after 12 years again a woman of her time at the end. The end of the love story is also sad but otherwise it wouldn't be such a good film.Hollywood would surely add a kiss at the end, it was much better that there were just the right words...

Chris Winters Having Just watched this film, and whilst it is still fresh in my mind I found the movie to be a refreshing change to traditional epics offered by Asian Cinema. House of flying daggers it is not, but as an interpretation of Chinese folklore that was based on a poem, it is a piece of cinematic creativity in it's own right. The casting of Wei Zhao was a smart move. Vicki is a potentially under rated actress who displays a versatility that is often never matched by over paid Western A - listers. For the tone and content of a film that has no provable substance in fact, Vicki does an outstanding job of expressing the bland emotion and lack of compassion that would be synonymous with the era and situation with which the film is set. At it's heart is a love story that is put aside by the burdens of war. This is so effectively displayed by the acting skill of the lead that it could be mistaken for lacking any substance at all, but with such interpretive subject matter the leads pull you in and make you share in the joy and the hurt that their lives are taking.This is essentially an amazing piece of cinema, with a talented cast and a talented director. There are many ways to while away an afternoon. Getting lost in the majesty this provides is well worth the time

tomson-7 I got quite excited when I heard of this re-adaption of the Chinese folk tale Mulan, having always loved Disney's version for unexplainable reasons. (Not being a Disney fan in any sense).I'm very much left at a crossroads after watching the piece. Well worth giving it a go to draw your own opinions because the film is brilliant yet at the same time flawed throughout.Having the feel of many recent Romance of the Three Kingdoms historical epics that have been popping up regularly from the fantastic new generation of Chinese cinema, Hua Mulan is fast paced, uplifting and in a narrative sense very well strung together. Unlike many of its' counterparts we don't have the long and often drawn out political segments we found throughout the Red Cliff films (Absolute wonders in their own right).The evident flaws popping up in the casting of Hua Mulan herself and the balance between the story of a solider and that of romance wasn't really able to find a true sense of equilibrium, I felt slightly discontented by the conclusion but Hua Mulan is not a film to disregard from the above remarks. A film well worth watching, putting a blunt and more practical spin on the story of Mulan; placing the tale within an Era of Chinese antiquity that easily rivals that of King Arthur or Julius Ceaser.