It's a drag
By Genevieve Loh, TODAY | Posted: 25 November 2009 0817 hrs

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RATING:

SINGAPORE : If Mel Gibson could deliver that impassioned speech as William Wallace to inspire the Scots, then Vicki Zhao can do the very same as Hua Mulan for the Chinese.

And motivate legions of soldiers she does, as Zhao stands stoically in front of what seems like a gazillion extras to deliver those legendary blazing speeches about courage, solidarity and dying for your country.

Unfortunately, it is only those speeches and the subsequent sweeping epic battle scenes that hold up in what is otherwise a snooze-fest rehash of Mulan and her battalion vice commander Wentai ("Painted Skin" co-star Chen Kun) falling in love - despite her gender-bending ways and father's prophetic advice against feelings on the battlefield.

Set against the panorama of China 450AD, this is more sappy love story than war masterpiece, thanks to director Jingle Ma's none-too-subtle handling. His overtly grandiose sweeping shots timed with perfectly cued rousing music and close-ups of tearful eyes drags the film's pacing.

While Chen is eye candy enough and looks reasonably long-suffering and impassive, Zhao uneasily slips in and out of what could have been a standout performance - if only she was more consistent.

Jackie Chan's son Jaycee somewhat brings up the rear as the supporting comic relief, but it is Russian opera/pop singer Vitas that stands out like a sore thumb.

Overall, "Mulan" is a tad too long and tedious, thanks to the over-reliance on melodrama.

But what do you expect? After all, those warriors of bygone dynasties always had predilections of being overly-dramatic.

- TODAY/il