Legend of Hua Mulan (2013)

woahh! i'am seriously smitten with mulan, such a powerful and inspiring character, this drama was such a great great drama, it's soo good and addictive, i have NO IDEA WHY ON EARTH IS THIS SOO UNDERATED!!

the cast was perfect although i didn't like the heroine at first, she looked and had the air of a weak little girl while in fact she proved me wrong as her character develops, there is major character developement in this drama, the cast proves to us THEY CAN ACT!

the first part of the story is about this girl named hua mulan who is a great embroider, coincindentally, i have started an interest in embroidery just a week before, this was perfect for me, as a series of killing happens, you'll find yourself trying to solve the death myseries, which is THRILLING!! it'll give you such a thrill and a pleasure trying to solve the crimes, then the story develops to the upcoming of war, where mulan takes us to the battle field, and teaches us the value of comradeship, home and family as well as love, the most exciting part is that she will be leading an army of wei against her lover who will be the general of rouran, okay, no more spoilers....

you want to watch this:

because you're reading reviews about it :b
because mulan is not just fiction, but a real chinese heroine.
because you love thrill and this drama is soo good and so perfect for you.

the rewatch value is low because i don't rewatch dramas.

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So.... at first I was really glad this drama had 48 episodes, because I just loved everything aout it.
But the turning point came at episode 22 and ongoing. It just lost quality and the story went ridiculous. Just everything happened one time and a second time and to really make sure we got it it happened a third time.
I was annoyed of all the backstabbing and "I love you, but you are my enemy, so I trick you and use you!" and the reply "Whoa, now you`ve done it! I love you no more and take revenge; but wait you are no such cruel person I still love you and forgive you ervything!"
There I cursed the 48 episodes and wished for the end to come sooner.

I mean...I am speechless how downhill this drama, I thought would become my new all-time favourite, ended up like this...

So I really like everything up to the point where Mulan (in the later episodes I titled her ("St*pid b*tch")
joined the army. Before that the drama is a really great piece to see, but after that, well she just becomes superwoman and makes the impossible happen.

Another important thing why I got annoyed in the second half was the makeup...really the makeup..
she dressed up as a man and I thought "mhh ok this - when I close one eye - is going to work", but the next appearance of her was with eyemakeup so stong it screamed "I am a girl!!!!"
But even this I could forgive, `cause it`s a drama and they probably wanted to make the actress an eyecandy (even though she already is beautiful)
BUT the next thing I see is her with not only eyemakeup but coloured lips and pretty fingernails.
And then I decided it is just not believable that she is a guy.

The only ray of light was Kuo Dylan as Muo Jiang / Prince Duo Lan. He really acted his role well and also
the main actress Hou Meng Yao as Hua Mulan did a good job. They are not at fault for the script.


So to end my review turned rant: the fist half is awesome - the second don`t bother watching.
As for a rewatch: I will not because of 1. the dissapointment that I still feel and 2. the length

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The challenge of the plot line for this majestic portrayal of ancient Chinese military history, Legend of Hua Mulan, must have been the greatest feat in its execution other than the definitively excellent acting of the cast: please, both these challenges were masterfully met with bravado. The simple beauty also of the period costumes, the architecture, yes, the romance of the warring states -- all of this beauty was intertwined so skillfully with the conceptual platform that love and peace can unite warring peoples. However, these are only some of the strengths of the unfolding of a most charming and all-absorbing romance. This is to be an intriguing, moving, even tumultuous romance between a young woman about to achieve mythical stature in war and the noble-hearted, visionary young prince of Rouran. Indeed, Mulan seemingly learns in leaps from her counterpart, the famed fighter, the second prince of Rouran, Duo Lun. In truth and in honor and in courage does she also take lessons in her life from the town elders and General Xie of her state, Northern Wei, in the face of possible and impending war. Although she is but a simple embroiderer who masters truly steep lessons in life from her elders, she is built to take on national stature from such travails. The genius of the character portrayal and developmental dynamism of Hua Mulan herself makes the overall story all too real and convincing. If ever there was a charming, courageous prince who rides into town on a brave steed to take his daring part, it is Duo Lun, played by a most brilliant actor. I must further attribute this stupendously excellent drama to the evolution of my own deeper interest in Chinese language and culture. This interest, cultivated as I was first watching Legend of Hua Mulan, actually resulted in my own efforts to simply learn Mandarin. I am now on the sixth watching of this, my favorite drama, and can now follow much more of the Mandarin than ever before. Still, I have a long way to go in learning Mandarin even yet and must certainly still rely heavily on English subtitles. One sharp point: the portrayal of the war itself and how a man and a woman held apart from their love ties due to mortal battle on opposite sides of the battle line is itself instructive. Please consider that such a polar positioning between two generals on opposing sides in dire war is conceptually nearly impossible in the first instance. This intrigues the audience to no end throughout the drama. This drama is replete with brilliant fighting scenes. These scenes involve colorful warriors whose personalities are critical to the real-life presence of ongoing war. Furthermore, the fights occur not only on the larger battlefield where fine strategy and tactics are portrayed so well, but also as individual martial artists express in fight, using such refined skills, in the forerunner to actual war. Such excellence in martial arts makes this portrayal of that very theme of Duo Lun and Mulan as possibly future husband and wife all the more romantic and pleasing to the deeper sensitivities of heart. I cannot but praise this drama series, Legend of Hua Mulan, for lessons of war and peace therein are its major and compelling messages: it simply teaches all of humanity. Moreover, these lessons are all the more vitally presented in the face of a feminine warrior miraculously self-appointed to the rigors of what is traditionally a man's venture: dire combat. Yet throughout ancient China, did not the great wuxia traditions always include the feminine among humankind? It seems to be definitely so. Perhaps the real Hua Mulan herself drew from that exact vast expanse of mind through the disciplines of martial arts regardless of gender. Perhaps this was so only because Mulan had grown up with martial arts training all around her. Martial arts must have come across generations down to her time. Thus did Mulan come to a higher service in the face of saving both her father according to her deep filial piety and her nation from its recurring, most terrible enemy across decades -- Rouran. Yet in this particular story line, our Hua Mulan started out with no real training before replacing her father in the army in a clandestine manner. Nevertheless, her mind for truth was her first sword, and she idolized the heroic prince for his display of fearless prowess in rescuing her repeatedly. Mulan miraculously drew an example from her prince, wanting desperately to rival him for her nation's survival and victory with no mind for selfish gain or love realization, always accepting possible death as her accompanying destiny instead of the glory of a life of marital love. Such heroism as portrayed by Hua Mulan is beyond any heroism that could be called simple heroism; indeed, Mulan's heroism is absolutely more of the legendary caliber of heroism. This series must be seen if you have not seen it. You cannot delay in watching it. I have been raving about it for so long now. I feel indebted to its very creation. Kudos. I am searching for the beautiful song that is its theme song, as well. Marilynn Stark 02/28/2017

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Incredible.

I created an account on this website just so I could participate and review this drama.

It is now one of my favorite dramas of all time. It really is at another level of amazing in comparison to many enjoyable and excellent dramas. It will be one of the stories I keep in my head with me for the rest of my life.

The most powerful and amazing part of this drama is the growth of the characters of Mulan and the Han Prince Duo Lan.

They were typical young brave and noble characters from the beginning of the film but they grew in an incredibly moving and realistic fashion with every experience they underwent. It was not just what they experienced that helped them become more complex and beautiful characters but the way they navigated those experiences and the lessons they learnt in reflecting the on the outcomes of those experiences.

What Mulan learnt in about strength and trust was as moving to see as what Duo Lan learnt about reforming his core values and humility.

It was clear that they could not have evolved the way they did unless without their inherent intelligence and compassion.

The drama used styling and imagery to show the evolution of the characters as well.

I was just completely impressed in every way and so happy with this film.

In regards to re watch value I am rewatching right now and enjoying it just as much.

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I don't know how I managed to finish this

Since it's been many years since this drama first aired, so I guess one would find the story not very interesting... it goes in a super slow pace and the plot is very old style.
The story does fits the historical story from the mulan legends so it does well to fill the gaps if one is interested in the story of Mulan.
All the female cast has very heavy makeup maybe that's just the style back then.
If you are used to modern drama then this probably won't interest you at all. drama production has improved a lot since then
However, there's still some good acting from this drama and the ML was good looking ?

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