Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars, praising the "fine cast, exciting action and spectacular visuals" and writing, "This is such a great-looking film, with amazing set pieces and dazzling action and colors so vibrant they would dazzle a Crayola factory, it will still play well on your home monitor. There are so many gorgeous shades of orange and magenta, blue and yellow, it's as if we're seeing these colors for the first time." [120] Kate Erbland of IndieWire gave the film a "B+", calling it a "remarkable action epic that carves its own path" and wrote, " Mulan is perhaps the best example of how to marry the original with something fresh. 'The Ballad of Mulan' has always been an epic-scale story about the power of being yourself in a world not ready to accept that, a tale that will likely always have resonance." [121] Kuo, Lily (September 7, 2020). "Disney remake of Mulan criticised for filming in Xinjiang". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020 . Retrieved September 7, 2020.

In a recent roundtable discussion, Disney’s chief creative officer Alan Horn evaded a question over the political implications of Liu’s comments, saying: “It’s not hard to offend somebody somewhere … we’re not political.” But whether Horn or Disney like it or not, the film has become political, and a symbol of Hollywood’s ongoing pandering to the CCP for funding and box office revenue despite the government’s human rights abuses. Sun, Rebecca. "Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan' Finds Director (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017 . Retrieved February 16, 2017.Plans for a live-action remake began in 2010 but the project stalled in development hell for most of the decade. Filming took place in New Zealand and China from August to November 2018. Over the course of production, the film was the subject of several controversies, including changes to the source material and filming in Xinjiang in light of the Uyghur genocide and Xinjiang internment camps. The film also received criticism for its production team largely consisting of people of non-Chinese descent. This included the hiring of Caro, rather than an Asian director. Disney's 'Mulan' under fire again as British MPs condemn China for Xinjiang abuses". HK AppleDaily. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021 . Retrieved December 10, 2020. Nelson Lee as The Chancellor, a member of the Emperor's council in charge of conscripting new recruits to join the Imperial army. The Chancellor is based on Chi-Fu from the animated film. [22]

Kain, Erik (July 7, 2019). "There Are No Talking Dragons Or Singing Generals In This Live-Action 'Mulan' Trailer". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019 . Retrieved July 13, 2019. a b Bond, Paul (September 11, 2020). "As Mulan Opens in China, Disney is Under Fire From All Sides in America". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020 . Retrieved September 11, 2020. Chang, Justin (September 3, 2020). "Review: Disney's live-action remake of 'Mulan' has more swords and sorcery but less magic". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020 . Retrieved September 14, 2020.The film-makers also made no secret that they were appeasing Chinese censors. In the Hollywood Reporter, it was made known that they went so far as to edit out a love scene. Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy . Retrieved February 1, 2021. Tzi Ma as Hua Zhou, Mulan's father and a famed war veteran, who is now recalled to the Imperial Army despite his crippled leg. [17] Chinese version of 'Reflection' released for upcoming 'Mulan' – Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on March 16, 2020 . Retrieved March 15, 2020.