Mulan Review: 6 Ups & 4 Downs

4. The Spectacular Action Sequences

If you can accept the aforementioned visual issues, Mulan's bevy of action sequences are for the most part ludicrously entertaining to behold.

Though the majority of the set-pieces are saved for the film's action-heavy second half, they're absolutely worth the wait.

Mulan's action is defined by a creative combination of wuxia-style martial arts and magic hooey, and though the editing is a tad sloppy in places, the inventive fight choreography and slick camerawork ensure these scenes are satisfyingly breakneck.

Given that the animated film wasn't especially action-packed, it's perhaps the aspect of this remake which best differentiates it, shifting away from strict military combat towards something a little more heightened and fantastical. It was a sure gamble, but it totally paid off.