Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action fantasy based on Chinese myths falls short.
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The Great Wall
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that the film features complex action scenes and impressive visuals, but many find the plot lacking and clichéd, with some viewers criticizing its violence and reliance on CGI over narrative depth. While it has moments of intrigue, several reviewers express disappointment, labeling it as boring or dumb, particularly for a younger audience.
- complex action
- impressive visuals
- clichéd plot
- violence critique
- target audience
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
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
- In theaters : February 17, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : May 23, 2017
- Cast : Matt Damon , Willem Dafoe , Pedro Pascal
- Director : Zhang Yimou
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , History
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of fantasy action violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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