The Great Wall is a 2016 action-fantasy film directed by Zhang Yimou, featuring an international cast led by Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Andy Lau. The narrative follows European mercenaries William Garin (Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pascal) who, in pursuit of the secret of gunpowder, become entangled in a battle alongside Chinese soldiers defending the Great Wall against monstrous creatures known as the Tao Tei.

Visually, the film showcases Zhang Yimou’s signature style, delivering vibrant and meticulously choreographed action sequences. However, despite its visual appeal, The Great Wall received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 35% based on 238 reviews, with the consensus stating: “For a Yimou Zhang film featuring Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe battling ancient monsters, The Great Wall is neither as exciting nor as entertainingly bonkers as one might hope.” Metacritic reports a score of 42 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”

Commercially, the film underperformed in North America, debuting with $18.1 million despite its substantial $150 million production budget. However, it performed better in China, grossing approximately $171 million. The casting of Matt Damon sparked discussions about whitewashing, with critics questioning the decision to place a Western actor in a predominantly Chinese setting.

In summary, while The Great Wall offers impressive visual spectacles and action sequences, it falls short in delivering a compelling narrative and character development, resulting in a film that may entertain some but lacks depth and resonance for others.