Kick the Dog: Mendgu's Establishing Character Moment is killing prisoners for fun.Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Turtle was initially a spoiled brat, but when his uncle died, he stopped being one, even going out to try to save Tiger before being killed by the Rourans.Honor Before Reason: As this is a Chinese film, there are several moments that may look like this to the Western viewer.Held Gaze: Mulan and Wentai, especially in the final scenes.Turtle tries to help but is quickly killed by arrows. Heroic Sacrifice: Tiger's squadron refuse to call for help even in the peril of being tortured to death.Heroic BSoD: Mulan has one after Wentai is apparently killed.Good Scars, Evil Scars: Wentai get one after a battle with the Rourans.Florence Nightingale Effect: A version of this trope occurs when Wentai treats Mulan after she is dangerously wounded this intimate encounter is what causes them to open up and show their feelings for each other.
Faking the Dead: Wentai, who uses this to make sure Mulan hardens her heart whenever she fights in battle.I will eat them however I please." Right from the start, you know he's going to be trouble. When his sister shows up and demands to know why he would do such a thing, his response is "They are all sheep already in my mouth. Establishing Character Moment: The first time we see Mengdu is just before he orders the execution of a group of unarmed POWs.Dressing as the Enemy: Mulan does this to infiltrate the Rouran camp.He does get a girl, but not the one he loved or wanted. Did Not Get the Girl: Mulan rejects Wentai so he will marry the Rouran princess and end the war.Defensive Feint Trap: Mulan plans one in the final battle.Cavalry Refusal: The reason Mulan's Defensive Feint Trap fails.It's not too implausible given that Northern Asia and Eastern Europe are side by side. Black Vikings: The Rouran king has a white guy for a court musician, played by Russian-Latvian singer Vitas.Bittersweet Ending: The war between Rouran and Wei was stopped, but Wentai has to marry the Rouran princess instead of his true love, and Mulan's friends were killed.Big Bad: Mengdu, The Evil Prince of the Rouran tribe.Beautiful Dreamer: Wentai has a sequence like this when Mulan is recovering from her wounds and he is tending to her.