The Great Wall (2016) is an action-packed fantasy film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring a renowned cast including Matt Damon, Jing Tian and Andy Lau. Set in China’s ancient Song Dynasty, the story follows William (Matt Damon) and Tovar (Pedro Pascal), European mercenaries in Gunpowder search, which eventually ended up being captured by a secret Chinese military force known as the Nameless Order. The Order with No Name is located on the Great Wall, which is not just a defensive structure, but a fortress built to protect humanity against a monstrous species called Taotie.
These ferocious, fast-breeding creatures strike every sixty years, posing an endangered threat to humanity. When the Taotie launch an all-out ᴀssault on the Wall, William and Tovar must decide whether they will fight alongside the Nameless Order or attempt to escape for their lives. In the final battle, William decides to stay and fight, discovering courage, loyalty and honor.
Commander Lin (Jing Tian) and strategist Wang (Andy Lau) lead the effort to prevent the Taotie from breaching the wall and advancing toward the capital. The climax moment involves a risky plan to destroy Queen Taotie, who is the heart of the swamp. Using powder-based explosives, William and Lin manage to kill the Queen by disrupting the invasion. The film ends with a sense of sacrifice and triumph, as the survivors reflect on the hard-won victory.
