Synopsis
European mercenaries searching for black powder become embroiled in the defense of the Great Wall of China against a horde of monstrous creatures.
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Cast
- Matt DamonWilliam
- Jing TianCommander Lin Mae
- Willem DafoeBallard
- Andy LauStrategist Wang
- Pedro PascalTovar
- Zhang HanyuGeneral Shao
- Lu HanPeng Yong
- Lin GengxinCommander Chen
- Eddie PengCommander Wu
- Huang XuanCommander Deng
- 70
Screen Daily
Viewers are in good hands — if they’re not too demanding — as Zhang Yimou puts the easily distinguishable characters through their paces. - 60
The Guardian
It won’t be remembered as Zhang’s best film, but the director’s artistic touch is on display in his long panoramic sweeps and artful use of colour. Simultaneously futuristic and historic, the visual spectacle carries the film. - 60
Time Out London
The Great Wall is not exactly a good movie – but it’s a pretty enjoyable one. - 50
Variety
Director Zhang Yimou capably gives period fantasy-action The Great Wall the look and feel of a Hollywood blockbuster, but his signature visual dazzle, his gift for depicting delicate relationships and throbbing passions are trampled by dead-serious epic aspirations. - 42
The Playlist
Other than the enjoyably silly banter between Damon and Pascal, there are few moments that endear you to anyone on screen. The movie’s tone veers from bombastic to goofy with speed but little grace. - 40
The Hollywood Reporter
The characters are ciphers, the narrative is dull and even the sights and sounds become numbingly bombastic after a while. - 40
Empire
There are plenty of fun CGI monster-skewering scenes, but a clunky plot, rigid script and equally stiff acting make this a crumbling disappointment, if not quite a disaster. - 38
Chicago Sun-Times
The Great Wall is so fantastically misguided and so wonderfully bad, I could see some coming for the action and staying for the camp laughs.