Jack Dean

Very good. All her own. Great characters, excellent edge-of-your-seat unbelievable action, top class effects, complete save the people/family ties/survive the hunt(s) plots, a twist or two, and some good dialogue. Not mind-blowing but well put together.

2-2.5. It started off well enough to show potential. The matchmaker, army training, and definitely Mulan were strong points. It was looking good, till the plot and the character storylines crashed over the last 40 minutes. I could rant hard about how the tactics used and pacing were devoid of logic, or how the characters were underdeveloped to do some of the (stupid) things they do; but I don't want to spoil. They hinted at love but didn't capitalize on it. The witch was cool but turned out to be a snitching plot hole. The "Leader Mulan" story point (and ending note) is random and undeveloped in Mulan's character. As a whole... I thought the key actors did well but could have had more expressive freedom. Mulan's character did very well imo. The action choreography was sloppy, they were fighting but not struggling (Donnie Yen is an exception). The acting and stunning visual effects of a big budget movie could not salvage this poorly thought out movie; making it barely watchable. P.S. Should've had a dragon's soul instead of a phoenix's because it's not like she died and came back but rather found her inner fire.