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
