sharreb

Pluses in my book
✅️ 2 generals
✅️ Some memorable scenes
✅️ Well choreographed fighting scenes
✅️ Star studded cameos n supporting cast
✅️Women empowerment theme
Major issues
❌️ Unbelievable FL as general
❌️ Plot holes for convenience
❌️ Poor adaptation of novel
❌️ Poor acting of 2ML (Chu Zao)
❌️ FL too cutesy at times
❌️ Unnecessary drama

The world building was actually good and those who enjoyed Mulan like I do, couldnt wait to dive into this drama.

Yet, from the first scene of ZY as General He, I felt the casting director made a poor judgement and whoever dresses her up needs to be sacked. Theres no effort in trying to buff her up, or moderate her tone of voice. To make her believable not just as a soldier but as a general and supposedly an amazing one. We are suppose to eat that up?

2nd suspension of disbelief. How does one not see the difference between her and her step brother. From physique and stature to voice, they are so different. Again I have an issue with the director. Can i pass this off as lazy? We are suppose to roll with it?

Then comes the 3rd one. How does ML who is wise, observant and even shrewd, not notice? When he is the one who paid close attention to her back in their academy days. Her eyes and her brother's are different. Surely that mask doesnt cause a blur effect.

If one can brush off these 3 major issues, at heart it did have a good story to tell. A female not able to live as one from young. Assuming a male identity, learn to fight and became a strong general. Fell to betrayal. Rise again to seek retribution and regain her honour.

I also love some of the lines. The moon references that followed thruout the story. The brothers in arms that became her friends (though imo underutilised in the 3rd arc). And there's an actual current between CL and ZY's character.

So despite my many grumblings, I made it to the end and do think there were good bits, memorable bits. Albeit poor directorial choices that makes this a missed chance for what could have been a great drama.