--- title: "Mulan: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/mulan-2020/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/mulan-2020" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 31 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Mulan (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 31 reviews: 11 positive, 14 mixed, 6 negative. The consensus on Mulan is mixed, with praise clustering around its visual scale, vivid colours, costumes and production design. Many critics find the battle sequences exciting, and Liu Yifei’s performance wins substantial support for giving the heroine presence and resolve. The more enthusiastic reviews welcome a reimagining that departs confidently from the animated film. Even several less persuaded critics admire the spectacle, though they find the storytelling less engaging. The spread is wide, and the disagreements extend beyond how much the missing humour and charm matter. Some reviews praise the fight choreography; others say choppy editing and conspicuous visual effects weaken it. Rushed plotting, thin characterisation and an overly solemn tone recur among the reservations. Eye for Film praises the nuanced portrayal of Mulan and Xianniang, while The Hollywood Reporter finds their relationship underdeveloped. That divide reflects a broader split over whether the film gives its heroine enough emotional depth. ## Empire — Beth Webb Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Webb considers it a dazzling, moving success and the best live-action Disney adaptation to date. She particularly praises the meticulously staged fight scenes and Liu Yifei’s commanding performance, while noting that the story sometimes shifts too quickly. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mulan-2020/) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B+. 3 September 2020. Erbland finds the live-action adaptation an energetic, successful reimagining of the familiar story. She especially praises Liu Yifei’s performance and the thrilling wuxia-style action, while noting some convoluted villain-focused plotting. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/mulan-review-disney-live-action-1234583522/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 4/5. 4 September 2020. O'Sullivan finds the update a triumphant, entertaining reinvention of the animated original. She particularly praises Liu's magnetic performance and the film's strikingly odd set-pieces. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/mulan-review-disneys-smart-update-is-an-ass-kicking-triumph-a4540096.html) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Debruge finds the remake visually impressive and culturally distinctive, despite rushed pacing and an underwritten heroine. He particularly praises its striking action and Asian-cinema-inspired spectacle. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/mulan-review-live-action-adaptation-1234758090/) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2020. The accessible text does not reveal the critic’s verdict. The standfirst notes that Disney’s live-action epic is going directly into homes. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/mulan-review/5147996.article) ## The AV Club — Beatrice Loayza Rating C+. 3 September 2020. The review finds the remake an improvement over Disney’s earlier live-action adaptations, but says it remains superficial and emotionally underdeveloped. It praises the film’s striking production design and costumes, while criticizing its rushed storytelling and underused action choreography. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/mulan-improves-disney-s-live-action-remake-record-but-n-1844931145) ## Little White Lies — Leila Latif Rating 3/3/3. 4 September 2020. Latif finds the film exciting and beautiful but ultimately less triumphant than hoped. She praises Liu Yifei’s compelling performance, while criticizing the frantic editing and arbitrary slow motion. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/mulan) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 3/5. 3 September 2020. Bradshaw finds it entertaining but glossy and straightforward, with its ambitions stopping short of pushing the envelope. He praises the well-managed, exciting battle scenes, though he says their CGI sheen diminishes their visceral power. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/03/mulan-review-disney-remake-liu-yifei) ## The i Paper — Joseph Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Walsh calls the remake competent and neat enough, though it loses much of the original’s heart and humour. He singles out the Wuxia fight sequences and Harry Gregson-Williams’s score for praise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/mulan-review-feminist-spin-heart-humour-disney-plus-niki-caro-jet-li-liu-yifei-626389) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 3 September 2020. The review finds the film visually impressive but emotionally unengaging. It singles out the imagery as a feast for the eyes while saying the story does little for the heart. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/mulan) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 3/5. 3 September 2020. Smith finds the remake occasionally dazzling but ultimately less funny and dramatic than it could have been. He praises its sweeping spectacle and thrilling avalanche sequence, while criticizing its ponderous stretches and the loss of Mulan’s personality. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mulan-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Chang finds the film a disappointing but admirable muddle, caught between cultural contradictions and bluntly delivered lessons. He praises Gong Li’s commanding presence, which lends the spectacle a glimmer of authenticity. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-09-03/mulan-review-disney) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. The review finds the remake visually arresting but less charming than the animated original. It praises the visuals while faulting the loss of charm. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mulan-review-live-action/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Inkoo Kang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Kang finds the film visually dazzling but ultimately lacking in vision and emotional resonance. She singles out its thin characterization, especially the underdeveloped relationship between Mulan and Xianniang, as a central flaw. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mulan-film-review-4054617/?amp=) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. Catsoulis gives the film a negative verdict, finding the remake bloodless despite its scale. She singles out its visually polished presentation, which cannot make the story feel alive. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/movies/mulan-disney-review.html) ## Sight and Sound — BFI Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2020. The review finds the remake shallow and ideologically antiquated despite Liu Yifei’s formidable presence. It praises Gong Li’s majestic performance but criticizes the action’s disorienting editing and lack of wuxia grace. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/mulan-2020-live-action-disney-remake-niki-caro) ## Slant Magazine — Sam C. Mac Rating 1/4. 3 September 2020. The critic finds the remake lazy, unconvincing, and weighed down by nationalist messaging. They particularly fault the wooden performance, unconvincing CGI, and choppy action editing. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/mulan-review-live-action-adaptation/) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2020. Willmore finds the film a dour, clunky spectacle whose cultural balancing act leaves its motivations muddled. She praises its sweeping scale and vivid use of color, despite criticizing its choppy action and writing. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-disneys-mulan-with-liu-yifei-donnie-yen-gong-li.html) ## Digital Spy — Gabriella Geisinger Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. The critic calls this the best Disney remake and says it may surpass the animated original. They praise its realism and Liu Yifei’s performance, while noting that its cultural perspective suffers from a predominantly white team behind the camera. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33889165/mulan-review-live-action-disney/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds Mulan spectacular, entertaining and ultimately inspiring despite some weaknesses in the script. They particularly praise the performances of Liu Yifei and Gong Li, along with the film’s vibrant visuals and battle sequences. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/mulan-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The review calls the film the best live-action Disney adaptation to date, praising its empowering take on Mulan. It singles out Liu Yifei’s strong performance and Niki Caro’s visual approach, while noting that the villain feels underdeveloped. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/mulan-review-disney-2745622) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B+. 3 September 2020. Goldberg finds the adaptation vibrant, exciting, and emotionally faithful while giving the story its own identity. He especially praises its visual scale, lavish costumes, and confident departures from the animated film. [Read the review](https://collider.com/mulan-disney-plus-review/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2021. Wilkinson finds the reimagining fresh, emotionally engaging and impressively spectacular. She singles out the nuanced portrayal of Mulan and Xianniang, alongside the balletic action sequences, for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/mulan-2020-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## Den of Geek — Natalie Zutter Rating 3.5/5. 3 September 2020. The review finds the remake worthy and relevant, though it does not surpass its animated predecessor or fully realize its themes. It praises the dazzling fight choreography for showcasing Mulan’s cleverness and resourcefulness. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/mulan-review-disney-live-action/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2020. The critic finds the remake satisfying and pretty good, despite some awkward visual effects. They praise its fresh, heartfelt interpretation and emphasis on Mulan’s empowerment. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/mulan-film-review-epic-disney-remake-ditches-the-songs-and-the-dragon-but-has-heart/) ## Film Stories — Mark Harrison Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2020. The review finds this a fresher, better-looking Disney remake, though it remains less effective than the animated original and plays too dryly. It praises the dazzling action and Mandy Walker’s cinematography, especially the film’s vivid colours and practical feel. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/mulan-review-a-distinctive-disney-do-over/) ## Paste — Amy Amatangelo Rating 6.8. 5 September 2020. The critic finds the film visually glorious but emotionally hollow, and says it may not live up to the anticipation. She praises its vibrant visuals and its example of a heroine who defines her own story, while warning that the graphic violence makes it unsuitable for young children. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/mulan/mulan-review) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint can be verified from the available text. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/mulan-niki-caro-review-20200903/) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating 6/10. 3 September 2020. Bui finds the remake visually splendid and compelling in places, but ultimately too dour and burdened by its political and scripted compromises. She singles out Caro’s direction and the majestic battle sequences as its greatest strengths. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/576385/mulan-review/) ## Consequence — Josh Spiegel Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2020. The critic finds the film a serious, visually striking improvement over some Disney remakes, but says its superhero turn is an unwelcome detour. The cinematography earns praise, while the action scenes are faulted for choppy editing. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/09/film-review-mulan/) ## The Ringer — Manuela Lazic Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2020. Lazic finds the remake disappointing, arguing that its effort to deliver an empowered heroine leaves Mulan flat and its feminism compromised. She particularly criticizes the characterless portrayals of Mulan and Xianniang, which reduce women’s strength to a slogan. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/09/08/movies/mulan-review-live-action-remake-disney-plus) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md