Mulan Desert Rescue (2020)

yet another (multiverse) Mulan bites the dust

this is a wuxia-style action adventure that re-imagines the life of Mulan of folklore as a military general instead of a soldier. it takes a setting in the year 424 A.D. during the third emperor of Northern Wei's reign, and the story is about the mission to rescue a princess. the show is suitable for late teens to above. the show incorporates elements of traditional wuxia storytelling. there are also elements of tragedy, brutality, and violence in this show which some may enjoy more than others. another strength of this show is the generous use of natural environments as background sceneries, both indoor and outdoor.

this show feels more like a pay-per-view or a cable tv production instead of a big screen film. it starts off at a relatively fast pace in the first quarter. then it slows down in the second quarter that can feel draggy. the pace picks up in the third and fourth quarter. it is yet another one of those bandwagon production that tries to capitalize on the Mulan folklore. the show doesn't actually need to be based off the Mulan folktale character into the storyline at all. the main female character can be any name and any background and she doesn't have to be based off Mulan folktale to be relatable, presentable, and endearing.

others may might feel find this show rough around the edges. the overall presentations of these elements, the story flow, and the editing can at times be insubstantial.

you name it. idk. bandwagon. domino effect. the blind leading the blind. yet another (multiverse) Mulan bites the dust.

//enjoyable//
+ outdoor and indoor natural environments as background sceneries or setting
+ background sounds/music arrangements and selections
+ traditional wuxia storytelling elements

//can be improved further//
o casting
o presentable performances but contextually inconsistent. there are multiple detectable issues. part of it might be casting, part of it the guidance/mentoring/directing, part of it editing, part of it the actors'.
o camera shooting techniques like closeups and slow motions, but sometimes inconsistent. occasionally it feels like big screen camera techniques, often it feels like tv drama camera techniques.
o martial arts choreography and string-fu with some flaws;
o detailed and colorful costumes, but there are a few ridiculous and unconvincing costumes
o storyline flow and the length proportion of certain segments
o interior props
o mediocre CGIs
o with inconsistent editing
o the You Ming territory segment starting from the second quarter of the film. better directing and editing, better planning and preparations, better plot writing, and stronger performances would improve this segment.
o the rescue-the-princess segment in the third quarter of the film
o brief incorporation of comic illustrations
o the director and/or screenwriter/s attempt to present the main antagonist more as a human being so that the audience can empathize with the main antagonist. but i feel the attempt is futile
o generous amount of blood splattering effects which can sometimes feel superfluous
o interior design, setups and props are not a distraction, some are more detailed than others
o dialogues are enjoyable but not always consistently enjoyable

//turnoffs//
- inconsistent translations and dubbing (voice over)
- error in the first opening translation. 公元 (gōngyuán) is A.D. not B.C.
- inconsistent directing, editing and editing control/management
- some logical flaws with the raiding scene at the beginning. for examples: i) how can pushing a person cause the vomitting of blood? the only explanation in a wuxia series is injury from being hit by an inner force; ii) how can a strengthened rattan shield be so easily leaved in half like styrofoam from a top-down forceful slash? again, the only explanation is if inner force is used; iii) how can someone die or fall flat on their back immediately after a mere push? same thing, only through inner force; iv) how can 2 arrows (one on top of another) hit 2 men who are about a meter away from one another? the arrows must have target guidance technology; etc.
- why is the princess riding a camel instead of a carriage?
- did the Northern Wei dynasty ever form any sort of alliance with the Northern Lian dynasty?
- the compass is way too intricately designed for 424 A.D.
- there are dialogues/segments for dramatic effect that can feel goosebump-corny
- starting from the second quarter of the film, Mulan looks like someone with sleep deprivation or a drug addict. i don't understand why they put that darkened makeup under her eyes.
- there are several draggy segments
- what is the purpose of giving a couple of seconds of screen time to a walking mouse to the storyline/plot?
- the fake princess stabbing Mulan scene. there is no way the dagger/knife could penetrate Mulan's armor and body if you observe the physical space of the fake princess, the distance between the fake princess's left arm with the actor standing besides her, and the physical movement of the fake princess's left arm in stabbing Mulan. the only convincing way to explain it is that the fake princess uses inner energy on the stab, which is also impossible as she fell down so easily to the ground
- the scene where the fake princess is killed with an axe is unconvincing
- editing issue of CGI or special effect at the scene when the guards congregate around the princess and a soldier is struck by an arrow on his back. you can see blood splatter when the arrow struck the soldier's back, but a few frames later you can see there is no blood marking on the soldier's armor
- etc.

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