Despite the talented writing team behind this film, they weren’t able to weave all of these elements into an original plot that had any depth and continuity. By giving The Great Wall the setting of one of the most famous monuments in the world, adding some fantasy elements, and getting the commercially successful Damon on board, Zhang was able to bolster the film’s spectacle, but alas not its substance.

Both were beautifully-shot historical films, but were extremely dark in content and failed internationally. Zhang, who is best known internationally for his visually rich Chinese martial arts films Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004), had hoped The Great Wall would bring back international blockbuster status where a few other Chinese films starring Western actors have failed, namely The Flowers of War (also directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Christian Bale) and Return to 1942 (directed by Feng Xiaogang and having supporting actors Adrian Brody and Tim Robbins). The film simply lacked cohesion of these elements and tried to do too much, which amounted to a hybrid Sino-Hollywood co-production that was unoriginal and outdated in content. The Great Wall didn’t fail due to lack of resources, as it had world class talent supporting its directing, acting, writing, producing, and financing. From the first appearance of the foe (mythical alien creatures sent to avenge the greed of an empire) to hearing William Garin’s (Matt Damon) unnatural accent delivering lines like, “The moon is strong,” it became clear that the film wasn’t going to be winning any Oscars.

Zhang Yimou’s latest film, The Great Wall doesn’t amount to much more than what it advertises in its trailer, which is Matt Damon stylishly shooting dragon-like creatures on the Great Wall.

The great wall movie 2014