The Great Wall (2016)
The Great Wall (2016), directed by Zhang Yimou, is a fantasy-action film that blends Chinese history with supernatural elements. With a massive budget, stunning visuals, and an international cast led by Matt Damon, it aimed to be an epic spectacle. However, the film’s ambition didn’t entirely pay off, leading to a mixed reception.
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Plot Summary:
The story centers on William Garin (Matt Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), European mercenaries who travel to China in search of gunpowder during the Song Dynasty. After a tense encounter with a mysterious creature, they are captured by an elite force guarding the Great Wall. Soon, they discover that the wall isn’t just a defense against human invaders—it’s meant to protect against an army of monstrous creatures called the Taotie, which periodically attack to devour the kingdom’s resources. William and Tovar must decide whether to fight alongside the Chinese forces or escape with the technology they’ve sought.
Visuals and Action:
The Great Wall excels in terms of visual spectacle. Zhang Yimou, known for his work on films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers, brings his signature style of vibrant colors, intricate costume designs, and beautifully choreographed action sequences. The film is full of eye-catching set pieces, especially those involving the acrobatic crane troops and innovative defense mechanisms used to battle the Taotie. The creatures themselves, though CGI-heavy, are imaginative and create a sense of scale and danger.
Themes:
While the film attempts to highlight themes of unity, sacrifice, and honor, it does so in a rather formulaic way. The moral journey of William—from a self-serving mercenary to someone willing to fight for a cause greater than himself—is predictable. At its core, the film tries to celebrate the cooperation between East and West, but it struggles to fully explore the cultural or philosophical differences between the two sides in any meaningful depth.
Performances:
Matt Damon’s portrayal of William Garin received mixed reactions. While Damon is a talented actor, his character feels somewhat out of place in the narrative. His performance is competent but lacks emotional depth, and the film’s attempts to build a complex character arc for him are undercut by a fairly straightforward script.
Pedro Pascal, as Tovar, brings a bit of much-needed levity and humor to the story, but his character remains largely one-dimensional. Willem Dafoe also appears in a small role, but his character doesn’t have much impact on the overall story.
The Chinese cast, led by Jing Tian as Commander Lin Mae, delivers more compelling performances. Jing Tian stands out as the disciplined and brave commander, though her role is limited by the script. The rest of the Chinese cast adds gravitas to the film’s epic feel, though they too are mostly relegated to familiar archetypes.
Pacing and Script:
The film’s biggest issues lie in its pacing and script. While the action sequences are frequent and visually stunning, the film doesn’t devote enough time to developing its characters or plot. Many of the character relationships feel undercooked, and the dialogue often feels clichéd and generic. The mix of English and Chinese languages in the film also feels awkward at times, with some interactions seeming unnatural or stilted.
The story itself is relatively straightforward and predictable, and for a film with such an interesting premise—combining Chinese historical defense with fantasy elements—the narrative doesn’t take many risks or delve deeply into its setting.
Final Thoughts:
The Great Wall is a visually spectacular film with a few standout action scenes and stunning cinematography. However, its underdeveloped characters, predictable plot, and uneven pacing prevent it from reaching the epic heights it aspired to. While it’s an entertaining film in parts, especially for fans of large-scale action, it falls short of being a memorable or meaningful cinematic experience.
