‘The Great Wall’

US actor Matt Damon battles the Tao-Tei and some ridiculous dialogue in ‘The Great Wall’ (2017).

Set in ancient China in a military garrison within the titular barricade, the film swaps history’s raiders and invaders for a horde of CGI monsters who attack the wall every 60 years which is the exactly how much time the Chinese have to train for the siege.

A little lizard, a little ‘Alien’ (1979), the Tao-Tei are led by an all-powerful queen who sends out instructive vibrations telling the swarm when to fall back or simply rip people apart. Certainly a sight to see, ‘The Great Wall’ is more spectacle than it is of substance despite being helmed by ‘Hero’ (2002) and ‘House of Flying Daggers’ (2004) director Zhang Yimou.

Featuring a cast of Chinese superstars including Jing Tian who plays badass commander Lin Mae, the Chinese and American co-production marries the best of their film industries to entertaining but conceptually pedestrian effect.

Also starring ‘Game of Thrones’ Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe and Andy Lau, ‘The Great Wall’ is star-studded and not as whitewashed as was initially assumed. With the Chinese military’s tactics set centre stage to be gaped at by Western mercenaries who are only kept alive because they can fight, the film positions Chinese technology as superior and coveted.

A fair film for a mindless night out, ‘The Great Wall’ is predictable and ridiculous but perhaps not the worst thing there ever was.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram

Want to watch ‘The Great Wall’ (2017) or a movie of your choice at Ster-Kinekor? Win a double movie ticket by simply answering the following question:Name one other film directed by Zhang Yimou. Send your full name and your answer via SMS to 45045, using the key word MOVIE. Competition closes Fri- day at 17h00.

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