Mulan gallops promisingly on the horse but slips unceremoniously down the slapstick slope.

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Despite all the big hoo-ha over this much-anticipated Hong Kong production, Mulan fails to live up to expectations.

[eastciti.com, October 30] Mulan is a joke.

I don't mean to show disrespect by mocking at the famous legendary war heroine herself. But somehow, I get a nagging sense that Mulan bears an uncanny resemblance to local comedian Jack Neo's Comedy Nite. The supposed war drama looked as though it took a wrong turn on the horse and slipped off the slope of slapstick, to the point of no return.

The debut episode kicked off with a seemingly promising war casualties-ridden battlefield scene. As the story progressed, it went on to reveal why and how Mulan is 'fated' to go to war on behalf of her ailing father. It then showed how she sneaked in successfully to her infantry camp for her basic military training.

I suppose the main reason for the serial being most unbelievably outlandish and hilarious (which therefore makes it fairly entertaining, sadly, by default) lies in the fundamental fault of the script. The blatant use of our modern everyday language made the period drama look strangely awkward.

A male-heir-obsessed Mrs Hua (Mulan's mom, who reminds me of local actress Michelle Chong) and the Kitchen God almost stole the show away from the ever-so-lovable Anita Yuen and dashing Chiu Mun Chiok with their over-the-top and corny acting.

If all else fails to keep you tuned in, try viewing the drama serial with an objective or agenda. Other than ogling at stick-thin but nonetheless lovely Anita and manly Man Chiok, you get to learn about the origins of cultural hearsays. (check out the sexist Jade Emperor and greedy Kitchen God) and pick up loads of useful Mandarin idioms from the 2-hour series.

Enough said. I slouched on my couch fidgeting restlessly, hoping the show would end soon so that I can put bid good riddance to my agony. When the end credits started to roll, I could not help but feel a tremendous sense of elation and relief. Finally.

Mulan airs every Sunday, 4.30 pm on TCS 8.

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