"The Great Wall" Review

Title: The Great Wall

Directed by: Zhang Yimou

Written by: Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, Tony Gilroy

Year: 2017


While everyone was caught up in the controversy surrounding this picture, I found myself more intrigued by it because of the talent behind the camera. Zhang Yimou is known for producing visually stunning films. The promotional footage showed us some great imagery, but the story looked questionable. Can this film's creative aspects overcome the controversy, or is it walled in by a muddled story?

 Two Western wanderers come across the Great Wall of China and are taken prisoner by the army that guards it. However, they inform the army that there are large creatures headed towards the wall. Now, the army must fend off the ancient beasts to protect China.

Matt Damon is a world-class actor, there is no doubt. However, he is rather underwhelming in this feature. He gets the job done fine, but there are many times where it seems as if Damon is not giving it his all. Playing opposite him is Pedro Pascal, who is decidedly more emphatic. He engages with the material much more, and he and Damon have some great chemistry. Jing Tian is very compelling in this film, as her character is wary of the Western strangers and has dedicated her life to guarding the wall, never having seen the outside world. Tian works well against Damon and carries a great deal of this movie.

Andy Lau plays the strategist for the army that watches over the wall, and he does well enough to leave an impression. His character is quite cliché, in that he is at odds with Damon's character (the outsider) until he proves his worth. But Lau makes this stereotype more watchable. I had no idea that Willem Dafoe was in this film so I was taken aback when I first saw him. He portrays a quiet and mysterious character who could be friend or foe. Dafoe effectively creates an inveigling atmosphere for the character that functions well in the story.

Admittedly, the premise of this film is quite intriguing, offering an alternative purpose behind the building of the Great Wall of China. But it appeared as if the movie was not supplied with a story to go along with this idea. After having watched it, I can say that this is true. There is little plot beyond defending the wall from monsters. That would be fine if The Great Wall were aiming to be a simple popcorn flick, but it is not. There are attempts to tell meaty stories but most of them fall flat or lack substance, save for one. The picture is underscored by the theme of trust, with this topic being addressed multiple times by Damon's and Tian's characters. I feel this motif is presented surprisingly well and actually has a satisfactory pay off by the film's close.

Furthermore, the first act of this picture is actually extremely entertaining. The opening is quite suspenseful and the exchanges that occur between the Westerners and the soldiers are captivating. The first major battle that takes place at the titular location is well-helmed and enthralling. There are many creatively choreographed action beats utilized to make the fight even more engaging. It is also great to see how differently the two Westerners and the Nameless Order fight when defending the wall.

However, when the second act rolls around, the pacing comes to a grinding halt without warning. There is a long period where almost nothing significant happens. This part of the picture is filled with empty dialogue that neither builds upon nor strengthens anything. It is talking for the sake of talking. As a result, it feels as if this movie could have have been trimmed to a much shorter cut. And the third act is simply a mess. The action is not nearly as appealing because it lacks the imagination present at the beginning of the film and the viewer is not invested enough in the story to care what is at stake.

From a technical perspective, The Great Wall is a proficiently made film. The production values are exceptional and the movie looks fantastic overall. The indoor lighting is particularly impressive, as is the camerawork. There are several shots that show off the scale of the Great Wall in an appropriately epic, cinematic manner. Another feature that really stands out is the costuming. The colorful armor is hypnotically ornate, and the different colors serve a purpose within the realm of the film.

However, there is one technical aspect that does falter tremendously: the visual effects. The design of the creatures looks very original, but that means nothing if the visual effects cannot deliver. The monsters lack detail and it feels like the effects were unfinished. This is especially apparent in wide shots that showcase the entire army of beasts, where it simply looks like a blurry sea of green movement. In addition, there are some exterior shots of the wall and of China that appear very cheap, which takes the audience out of the experience.

The Great Wall is a gorgeous looking movie with a great start but a weak middle and a sloppy finish. The acting is fine for the most part; the action at the beginning is invigorating; the theme of trusting others is expressed intelligently; and the picture is artful from a visual perspective. A thin story, poor pacing, and underwhelming conclusion weigh this film down significantly, to the point where I cannot recommend watching it. It has its moments, but not many.

Grade: C