Matt Damon, Jing Tian & Andy Lau | Universal Pictures
The Great Wall (2016) is an action-packed fantasy film directed by Zhang Yimou, featuring a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Jing Tian, and Andy Lau. Set during ancient China’s Song Dynasty, the story follows William (Matt Damon) and Tovar (Pedro Pascal), European mercenaries searching for gunpowder, who are taken prisoner by a secretive Chinese military force known as the Nameless Order.
The Nameless Order is stationed at the Great Wall, which is not just a defensive structure, but a stronghold built to defend against a monstrous species called the Taotie. These vicious, fast-breeding creatures attack every sixty years, threatening to wipe out humanity. As the Taotie launch an all-out assault on the Wall, William and Tovar must decide whether to fight alongside the Nameless Order or flee for their lives.
In the final battle, William chooses to stay and fight, discovering bravery, loyalty, and honor. Commander Lin (Jing Tian) and Strategist Wang (Andy Lau) lead the effort to stop the Taotie before they breach the Wall and overrun the capital.
The climactic moment involves a risky plan to destroy the Taotie Queen, the heart of the swarm. Using black powder explosives, William and Lin manage to kill the Queen, halting the invasion. The film ends with a sense of sacrifice and triumph as the survivors reflect on their hard-fought victory.
