The bad: Terrible dialogue Bad CGI and fight scenes Terrible "story" filled with plot holes and plain silly actions performed by the characters Very boring characters, you are just glad when they die. Very "fantasy" (non historical) and not in a good way. The artistic choises for armour, weapons and such makes no sense and fits a video game or anime better than an "epic movie" which is abviously what they are trying to make.The good Some very nice sceneries, especially with lots of soldier formations and the wall itself.For one, why would anyone give up the actual wall (you know, a awesome defensive structure) to DIVE into the horde of monsters on a bungee-jump and try to spear them from an arm-length? While it sometimes was comically bad, I dont think this was intended. A low point for Matt Deamons carreer for sure.

If, like me, you thought the Great Wall of China was built to keep out Genghis Khan and his horde of ravaging Mongols, think again. It turns out that it was actually built to keep out about 90 million oxen-sized, lightning fast, razor-toothed, savagely carnivorous dragon/wolf thingies which came to Earth on a meteor.So Matt Damon and his Spanish buddy are the last two survivors of a group of mercenaries touring China with the intention of pilfering a load of black powder. They have the misfortune to end up at the Great Wall just as the fearsome beasties called Tao Tei are about to launch one of their cyclic - every 60 years - attacks. The Chinese forces, while courageous and well trained, are ultimately outclassed: the Tao Tei are incredibly difficult to kill, necessitating such imaginative battle tactics as the blue-cloaked female troops bungee jumping from the walls to spear them from above. Fortunately, Matt Damon is an incredible archer, tactician, and warrior generally. Less fortunately, all he wants to do is steal a sackful of black powder and leg it.This big budget Chinese production - Damon's casting has been criticised, but he is clearly present primarily to boost the international box office - has every yuan spent on it clearly displayed on screen - it is absolutely spectacular and, often, quite beautiful. It is also completely bonkers. Seriously, bats in the attic bonkers. The indescribable masses of unbeatable toothsome critters defy credibility, as do the immensely entertaining combat methods embraced by the beautifully costumed cast, both principals, extras, and CGI extras.The CGI Tao Tei do get a bit wearisome towards the end, by virtue of their vast numbers if nothing else, but we have a small group of gritty individuals who we can root for. But will they all survive?And is there going to be any romance between Matt Damon's William and the incredibly cute Commander Lin Mae (Tian Jing)? After all, she despises him, and that's how it usually starts, right?The 3D, while by no means essential, has some lovely 3D moments in it. There is no more substance to this film than there is to the contents of one of the hot-air balloons which feature towards the end, but that's not a reason not to enjoy it, because it's a hell of a popcorn movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, half an hour later, I was ready for another one.

This had to be one of the worst movies ever made. I don't understand how it has a six (6) metascore unless the studios marketing department paid people to review the movie. After thirty minutes I walked out of this epic failure.

When I first saw the trailers I thought no way. Then it was on HBO and being bored, I watched it. Growing up my parents(who were raised in mainland China in the 1930's) would tell me & my siblings to share & help others-don't be greedy, "don't be T'ao T'ie," don't be THAT monster. Chinese parents have funny ways to scare you & teach you lessons to be a good person. Wow this monster has a new face now & ew it was creepy! Movie itself was much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Has many of the newer Chinese actors that I like and it didn't bother me at all having Matt Damon as a Western mercenary as the lead-teaching him Eastern ideas, philosophies and reasonings. I did want more character development though Visually the action scenes were stunning. Really liked the contrast of the different colors based on their military roles. Costuming is listerally brilliant. I was disappointed with how the end was rushed & then the movie was over just like that. I've seen it a few times now on TV and keep finding reasons to like it.