Director / Yimou Zhang (HERO, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS)
Stars / Matt Damon, Tian Jing, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe and Andy Lau

There are truths and there are myths behind the construction of the Great Wall, according to the opening text of this blockbuster film. The most expensive Chinese film ever made, with an estimated budget of $150 million, THE GREAT WALL is of course delving into one of those myths.

Two European mercenaries, William (Damon, maintaining his American accent!) and Tovar (Pascal, who you may recognise from GOT) are in China during the Song dynasty searching for Black Powder. They become embroiled in the defence of the Great Wall, however, when they encounter the Chinese inhabitants who are protecting their land and people from an attack by Taoties, which are monstrous creatures.

THE GREAT WALL is so bland, you’re bound to hit a wall yourself during its 103 minute duration. The good news, if there is any, is that THE GREAT WALL is so sub-standard from the beginning, it doesn’t get any worse. Therefore, growing accustomed to this fantasy/action fluff ball rather than becoming truly entertained by it, is achievable.

Take that imposing wall out of the equation, and we have ourselves a plot that could very much take place anywhere, anytime. Or technically, three walls, which is how many were constructed for the set, with the filmmakers unable to shoot at the iconic Chinese landmark. Although money may have been well spent in that department, it doesn’t have the balls to match its budget in several other areas. For instance, a number of set-piece sequences actually appear cheaply CGI’d. Creature design and effects especially needed stronger investment. Rather than seizing an opportunity to imaginatively separate itself from other fantasy movies, THE GREAT WALL seems to have copied and pasted creature creations previously used in other action films. The end result leaves us with monsters that possess dinosaur-like antics, but have the appearance of Shrek, just with more teeth and high on crack! These gluttonous ogres (a literal meaning) even warn you they’re coming by making a sound that is akin to a vehicle taking a nearby corner far too quickly.

Overall, THE GREAT WALL isn’t exactly terrible, but isn’t ever good either.

2 stars

Viewer Discretion/ M (fantasy themes and violence)

Trailer / THE GREAT WALL

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures and IMAX Melbourne for the screening invite to this film.

Review by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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