Mulan: Rise of a Warriorby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 9 Mulan's father is ill and in no condition to answer the summons to war. Having been trained in kung fu by her father, Mulan, a young woman, dresses as a boy and takes his place. Her best friend knows her secret, and due to a happy accident, so does one other. Mulan proves herself, working through the ranks to become a general where battles and tragedy really take their toll. As the invading Rouran army amasses a large force, Mulan executes the beginning of a great plan, but is betrayed. Sacrifices are made for the good of the country, bringing an end to twelve years of war and Mulan home a hero.This movie is amazing! I'm glad that the love interest is significantly tied to the plot and includes some twists I didn't see coming. The end is bittersweet but appropriate and logical. Zhao Wei as Mulan is a wonderful choice. She's pretty without being too overtly feminine for the role. She conveys the right balance of emotion and toughness as well as courageousness. She appears very human while still allowing her skills and intellect to shine through, setting her apart. I only watched the sub. I'm a subs fan, especially with a serious work like this. The subtitles are easy to read without distracting from the movie. A few scenes may be a bit fast for some to follow, but this is a DVD so you can always rewind. The actors do a wonderful job. I was emotionally invested in the story and on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. The scenes that provide a lull in the action are full of emotional turmoil and growth of character. There's only a couple scenes at the beginning that feature kung fu work, and while I would have enjoyed seeing more of it, it would not have fit in with the wartime fighting. It also builds into Mulan's character and relationships, namely with her father (and her decision and ability to take his place), her friend Tiger, and Wentai. The action scenes are well done with interesting yet believable battle strategies and ambushes. My only real complaint is that it doesn't seem like 12 years pass in the film. Thanks to the way battles and rank advancement are presented, I would agree that several years pass, but 12 just seems a bit far-fetched. There are so many aspects of this film, I can't touch on them all, especially without spoiling things. I highly recommend to all! Written: October 9, 2013
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