Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

The Great Wall

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Action fantasy based on Chinese myths falls short.

Movie PG-13 2017 103 minutes
The Great Wall Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Joe M.
Joe M. Parent of 3, 13 and 17-year-old
February 20, 2023
age 13+

Missed Opportunity!

Mao has truly smiled on "The Great Wall" as a visually stunning film that showcases the impressive battle tactics and awe-inspiring technology of ancient China. The plot revolves around a European mercenary named William, played by Matt Damon, who travels to China in search of gunpowder. Along the way, he finds himself embroiled in a war against a horde of monsters attacking the Great Wall. While the film has its merits, one can't help but feel that the casting of Matt Damon as the main character was a missed opportunity. Although Damon does his best with the role, his presence as a European character feels out of place in a story set in China. One can only imagine the impact that a talented Asian film actor could have had in the role, bringing authenticity and a deeper understanding of Chinese culture to the forefront. Moreover, by casting a well-known Western actor in the lead role, the filmmakers missed a chance to showcase the immense talent and depth of the Asian film industry. It would have been refreshing to see a Chinese actor take on the lead role in a big-budget Hollywood film and add a level of cultural sensitivity that was lacking in Damon's portrayal. Overall, "The Great Wall" is a visually impressive film with solid action sequences and stunning visuals. However, the casting of Matt Damon as the lead character leaves a lingering feeling of missed potential and the sense that the film could have been even better with an Asian actor in the role.
sjb
sjb Parent of 6, 9 and 12-year-old
April 24, 2020
age 12+

Awesome movie for tween to teens and older.

Minimal bad language and sexual references, which so hard to get these days. Great escapism, would easily watch again.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

William (Matt Damon) and Tovar (Pedro Pascal) are 15th-century mercenaries who find themselves stymied during their travels by a massive wall -- in fact, it's THE GREAT WALL. Chinese military leaders, especially gifted Commander Lin (Tian Jing), are suspicious of the pair's motives, but when they're all threatened by otherworldly creatures known as the tao tei, William joins in his captors' monumental battle against the monsters. Nothing less than the fate of the world is at stake.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (9 ):

A hybrid between a historical epic and an action fantasy, the film manages to be only a passable example of each genre, which makes it less memorable than it had the potential to be. Damon serves up a dignified performance, if you ignore his dubious accent (a mushed-up concoction meant to recall an Irishman by way of America, perhaps?). Whether his bromance with partner-in-crime Pascal needed to be in the mix is yet another iffy decision, confusing the genre dilemma even further.

That said, The Great Wall has its merits, starting with the cinematography. Setting aside the over-CGI-ed monsters, the titular wall is a sight to behold. A scene in which soldiers throw hundreds of lanterns aloft is simply breathtaking. And then there's the fearless female commander, Lin. She may not have much depth, character-wise, but seeing her take command -- and sharing the story's spotlight with William -- is a breath of fresh air.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in The Great Wall. Does the fact that much of it involves monsters/fantasy elements change its impact?

  • What character strengths do the people in the movie exhibit? Does that make them role models?

  • The movie drew some controversy for having a white American actor at the heart of a story steeped in Chinese history. Why would that be controversial?

  • Had you ever heard anything about this part of Chinese mythology and history before? How could you find out more if you wanted to?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate