bojojoti

How I enjoyed this! I'd been dubious about pretty Bai Lu playing the role of a boy, but she did an admirable job. I could almost believe she was a young soldier if I squinted just right and suspended belief. Thank goodness, the make-up artists went light on mascara and lipstick. The last drama I watched with a woman dressed as a man was The First Jasmine, and it was laughable that anyone thought the woman with lipstick, plucked and penciled eyebrows, mascara, and noticeable breasts was a man. But I digress. Bai Lu must have been wrapped well, because her lady bits were well camouflaged. And she acted in a masculine manner and became stronger as the drama progressed.

I didn't recognize Xu Kai until I checked the credits. He'd only begun his drama career, and he was so young. Just a pup! Yet he played the role with style—he made the character of Gu Yan Zhen his own. I don't know if tight black leather pants were really a thing in the Chinese Republican Era, but they should have been. Xu Kai was impeccably styled throughout the drama in cravats, long coats, leather vests, and a wide array of boots.

Were the fight scenes ridiculous? Invariably. Fifty against one was handled easily. Did the heroes get critical wounds? Of course, but they were up and ready for action in a matter of days. And was the villainess annoying? So much so that I'm not willing to watch another drama featuring the actress for awhile!

The Good:
• The cast was large but handled well, giving several story arcs to individuals. The chemistry of the ensemble was relatable—starting as strangers, evolving to friends or enemies, and ending as close as siblings.
• Great character growth.
• Wonderful sense of camaraderie.
• I was given a new perspective on that time period in China. I hadn't considered that dismantling the monarchy would have had support from some of the Chinese people, even though it was done forcefully by a foreign nation.

The Bad:
• Patriotism was a bit overbearing. I appreciate the love of one's homeland, but I don't want to be bludgeoned repeatedly with it in a drama.
• Qu Man Ting got on my nerves. I was grateful when she disappeared for a while late in the drama.
• Guns in most Asian shows are unnerving. There is NO trigger or muzzle discipline. Fingers are on the trigger while riding in a fast-moving car on a dirt road, and the gun is pointed at the head of the hostage. One bad bump (or even an unexpected sneeze) and the upholstery is going to be splattered red. I cringed when Gu Yan Zhen was cleaning his gun and looked down the barrel. And those scenes where the soldiers surround the enemy and begin firing wildly into them? Plan on lots of friendly fire. I was amused that people who were shot fell down instantly dead from one bullet, no matter where they were shot. How considerate of them!

Arsenal Military Academy rates high as one of my favorite Chinese Republican Era dramas. The story was original, the cast was fun, and it had some sweet moments. I added a half star due to pure enjoyment.