Mulan

 So, the most recent Disney adaption, and one that was full of controversy before it ever came out...

... heck, even how it came out caused a ruckus.

Now, this isn`t Mulan, let us get that clear from the start.  It shares the name of the titular character, and it is about a girl becoming a soldier.  And that is about it that it has in common with the animation movie.

No music, no romance, no Mushu... the latter because it had to be realistic, so yeah, shape shifting witches and phoenixes are something everyday China has aplenty...

The sotry is about northern invaders overrunning garrisons, in a ploy to get to the Emperor and dethrone him, as vengeance for the leader's father demise by his hands.  Aided by a witch, they overturn military bases as such, and every village must grant warriors for the cause.

Mulan, not really your girly-girl, marches off to a muster with her father's sword, and by using her chi quickly becomes a top soldier.  But after confronting the witch, she reveals her true identity, and gets to lead a force to relief and rescue the Emperor with success.

See, the problem is this is more one of those typical Hong Kong fantasy flicks, but it lacks something they usually have.  Being either a top notch duel between hero and villain, or a very epically and fantastical mass battle, and Mulan has neither.  Not for lack of trying, but together with actual poor CGI, the movie is more a mid-level fantasy film then a real life adaptation of a Disney classic.

Is it a bad film?  Nah, not per se, but it is not what it is sold to be by a long shot!