The Great Wall
Director: Zhang Yimou
Screenwriter: Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, Tony Gilroy
Cast: Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rated PG-13 | 104 Minutes
Release Date: February 17, 2017

One would expect something like The Great Wall to live up to its title. History tells us that The Great Wall of China was constructed with the purpose of defense, border control, and trade regulation. In Zhang Yimou‘s film, we learn that it had another purpose: to protect the nation of China from the Tao Tei, giant green scaly beasts that have ravaged the country for ages. This would not be the first time that a film has depicted history and mix it with myth and monsters.

Of course, one of the biggest concerns surrounding The Great Wall is the blatant whitewashing that has been a part of the marketing campaign since the very beginning. Matt Damon has been the face of this film. Despite the film’s majority Chinese cast, Chinese director, and Chinese financiers, the film still believed it needed to have a big name in order to be a big seller.

But putting all of that aside, there is some entertainment value in the film. Just don’t expect much of it. Check out my full review below.

Any normal film about The Great Wall of China would be otherwise been seen as a documentary or a dramatization of how the wall was built. But add a monster element to it, and it has all the makings of a blockbuster tentpole movie, especially if said film has cast a very marketable name headlining it, like Matt Damon. Universal and Legendary have released the second trailer for The Great Wall.

Check it out here below.

Shaolin
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Produced and Directed by Benny Chan
Starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Fan Bingbing, Xiaoliuna, Hung Yan-yan
Emperor Motion Pictures
Originally Released: January 19, 2011

Shaolin is an epic tale, made by Chinese and Hong Kong filmmakers – directed by Benny Chan – emphasizing both the peaceful path and jaw-dropping martial defense skills of the legendary Shaolin Monks. Featuring a supporting role from Jackie Chan, the film is a captivating ride from beginning to its conclusion – laced with numerous lessons and morals to make even the hardened of us reflect our own inner ethics.

One of the greatest aspects of Netflix Streaming is the instant accessibility users have to films made outside of the United States. I have had the pleasure of watching a wide range of films from around the world there, and while I understand some people have an aversion to subtitles, once you get past that hurdle, you open up a whole new world of experiences.