The Great Wall

Name: The Great Wall
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
Released: February 17, 2017
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Andy Lau, Eddie Peng, Han Lu, Hanyu Zhang, Kenny Lin

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 267 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 267 Ratings

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The Great Wall

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 17, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Andy Lau, Eddie Peng, Han Lu, Hanyu Zhang, Kenny Lin, Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Tian Jing, Willem Dafoe

Summary: When a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is imprisoned within The Great Wall, he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of our world. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism as he joins a huge army of elite warriors to confront thisWhen a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is imprisoned within The Great Wall, he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of our world. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism as he joins a huge army of elite warriors to confront this unimaginable and seemingly unstoppable force.… Expand

Director: Yimou Zhang

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Feb 17, 2017

The Great Wall has significant problems — namely with Damon and sidekick Pedro Pascal's lack of bromantic chemistry — but chief among its rewards is its ability to marry its Eastern and Western sensibilities. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Feb 16, 2017

The Great Wall defies any expectations — it’s absolutely bonkers wild. Read full review

MTV News Amy Nicholson

Feb 17, 2017

The Great Wall doesn't have the lunacy that made last year's Gods of Egypt a hoot. Zhang can't kick his craving for respectability, even if he's making a movie that flips the middle finger at historicity. Read full review

Maggie Lee

Dec 15, 2016

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. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Feb 16, 2017

It sure is handsome-looking, throwing off a majestic gleam. But that’s not the same as possessing actual majesty. There’s barely a minute when The Great Wall doesn’t veer into the trying-too-hard zone, and to watch all that striving is simply exhausting. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Feb 16, 2017

We will see worse movies this year than The Great Wall. But we won’t one more cynical. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Feb 16, 2017

From blundered opening to risible conclusion, it’s a wall-to-wall fiasco. Read full review

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User Reviews

AceTrigger94

Feb 17, 2017

As a constant film goer I was really impressed with this film. It was entertaining. The story worked well. The acting was great. And the effects were really impressive. I watched it on a big screen in iMAX and enjoyed the experience. The sound was equally impressive. I just can't understandAs a constant film goer I was really impressed with this film. It was entertaining. The story worked well. The acting was great. And the effects were really impressive. I watched it on a big screen in iMAX and enjoyed the experience. The sound was equally impressive. I just can't understand why the really negative reviews abound. Some are cursing it for having foreign actors. Others about the political situation etc. And the poor director is even getting a caning. The story is about a legend. And it was wonderful to just sit back and let someone tell a story. I nearly didn't go because of all the bad reviews but I am glad I went and made up my own mind.

Go and see it now!… Expand

9 of 20 users found this helpful911

HealingToolbox1

Apr 8, 2017

Another under-rated genre classic. Do you like Matt Damon sci-fi movies? Do you like Chinese fairy tale movies with over-the-top action? This amalgamation is as good as you are gonna get. Great Wall is NOT trying "to marry its Eastern and Western sensibilities." It's clearly trying toAnother under-rated genre classic. Do you like Matt Damon sci-fi movies? Do you like Chinese fairy tale movies with over-the-top action? This amalgamation is as good as you are gonna get. Great Wall is NOT trying "to marry its Eastern and Western sensibilities." It's clearly trying to make money with a Chinese-USA crossover epic. Fortunately we have Tony Gilroy (Bourne series, Rogue One script and by some accounts much of the direction); and, Ed Zwick of Glory, Defiance, Last Samurai and scores of other intelligent fare, one of my heroes. The result is everything moving along much better than your average bloated fantasy epic. It doesn't sag and everything looks amazing. If you liked any of the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit movies, you'll like this. Granted, unlike the best LOTR movies, no character here has any arc; nobody learns anything meaningful. But, same with Rogue One. If we must have movies which are better as video game scripts than as thoughtful, Progressive dramas, then Rogue One and Great Wall are two model successes of videogame movie genre, one Western, one Chinese.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

Cheetahice

Feb 18, 2017

This film went a little overboard with Matt Damon being in it. I still enjoyed the movie, because of the action. The plot line went a tad unbelievable. I also think that the film had very good special effects, and very entertaining at some points.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Tyranian

Apr 9, 2019

Mildly enjoyable but mostly quite dodgy. Mainly in the megadumb department.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lucascastaway

Apr 14, 2017

Visual do filme em certos momentos e bom e em muitos momento são toscos , da pra perceber em muitos momentos que e tela verde , os proprios 'Bixos' parecem uma animação mal feita / roteiro não se perde tanto / 3D não e muito utilizado / na minha opinião uma historia fraca Emfim FilmeVisual do filme em certos momentos e bom e em muitos momento são toscos , da pra perceber em muitos momentos que e tela verde , os proprios 'Bixos' parecem uma animação mal feita / roteiro não se perde tanto / 3D não e muito utilizado / na minha opinião uma historia fraca Emfim Filme blockbuster ( na minha opiniao )
mais vale a pena assisti !… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

MiguelSoares14

Apr 17, 2017

Overrated movie, unfortunately. The plot is too simple and the characters aren't impressive at all. The visual effects are good but everything around it is weak.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Spartan91

Dec 5, 2018

This movie is one of the best examples of filmmakers prioritizing visuals over any sort story or even the least bit of sense. The entire thing from beginning to end was like the legolas bridge scene at the end of "Battle of the five armies" on steroids.
It looks great, the sound is goodThis movie is one of the best examples of filmmakers prioritizing visuals over any sort story or even the least bit of sense. The entire thing from beginning to end was like the legolas bridge scene at the end of "Battle of the five armies" on steroids.
It looks great, the sound is good and... that's kind of it. The action is horrible and just laughable, especially considering the talent involved.
A lot of the positive, and especially 10 point, reviews are from Users that have either only a few 0 point reviews, no other reviews, or only 10 point reviews. So definitely not normal Users.

Oh and not an important party, but f*** the bungee attacks, dumbest idea in any movie ever.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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69	#69 Most Discussed Movie of 2017
40	#40 Most Shared Movie of 2017