It's unfortunate that not too many Chinese actresses have successfully made their ways to Hollywood (ABC Lucy Liu doesn't count). Michelle Yeoh is a good actress but has given up the big dream. So will Gong Li. Zhang Ziyi is the only one who still lives and believes in this dream. That makes Hollywood producers believe in her as much as she believes in them.

Fortunately, ZZY seems to know what she's doing and I hate myself for defending her again after watching Jasmine Women. It makes me wonder why Kozo has not written a review of it, the flawed but sincere chick flick was definitely worth a mention in the veteran's proficient writings. I agree, IMO Jasmine Women is very much ZZY's better work (along with 2046, another superb performance). This is the real ZZY that we the more educated viewers enjoy watching.

As for Mulan, Ms Zhang is to my understanding too old for the legendary heroine. From what we know about the Chinese folk tale (and the Disney's one too), Mulan is a teenager - something ZZY is definitely not and has already failed in MoaG. If I ever have to pick on MoaG, it is ZZY's age that completely ruins the 15-year-old "maiko" from the book and in the film. ZZY cannot look young even with heavy makeup on; she is no Twins.

If Mulan was greenlighted 6 or 7 years ago, I say Ms Zhang would've been the perfect choice for the heroine. Her CTHD image could fit. But her age and her fame today do not meet the requirements for the role Mulan, the recurring mistake of "putting a famous Chinese actress in every Asian girl leading role" is inevitable, thus "burning theatres" has been my plan since she had been inevitably confirmed. Zhou Xun, however, is my absolute choice for Mulan; a better and talented actress, a younger girl with a child-like face, a soft and tough and cold and hot and you-name-it versatile one. The two-faced "Suzhou River" princess is Mulan, too bad Hollywood do not see it this way.

The mistake is made. It's up to ZZY now to correct it.