The Great Wall of Awesome

Matt Damon in "The Great Wall"

A couple of weeks ago, for Spring Break, I took my little boys for a Saturday matinee to see the Chinese film, "The Great Wall".  Halfway through the movie, my 8 year-old son, Avery, leaned towards me and whispered over his 3-D glasses, "Dad, I'm surprised not many people heard of this movie.  It's really good!"

And the review of this movie by an 8 year-old aptly summarizes this film.  It's not what you would term a "thinking man's movie", but it is the perfect material for a Saturday matinee - really cool visually, martial arts action, scary monsters, and Maaat Daaaamon.  In other words, little kids are really going to like this.  So will the dads, for that matter.

Matt Damon plays William Garin, a Western mercenary who stumbles upon the mysterious Great Wall in central China while traveling with his Iberian companion, Game of Thrones' Pedro Pascal.  They are imprisoned by the highly organized defenders of the Wall, led by the beautiful Jing Tian, with their beautifully-enamaled armor.  They meet another Westerner, played by Willem Dafoe, who reveals that the purpose of the Wall is to defend against an onslaught of monsters.  Mayhem ensues.  Think "Tremors" vs. "Pitch Black" vs. "Crouching Tiger".  And you will get the gist of it.

The most expensive movie ever made in China, it was considered a box-office flop.  But it really is a fun ride.  It will not having you question the existential purpose of humanity.  But you will see some pretty awesome special effects and kung fu stunts.  This movie is a glimpse back at the heyday of Saturday morning Chinese cinema.  And your kids will love it.