The movie concept is close enough to https://orphestrum.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-origin-of-dinosaurs-and-drag... .Anyhow, one of the major differences is -on that blog ,author mentioned that the great wall was built over the dragons and dinosaurs .But in this movie, we see the actors to fought with dragons/dinosaurs from that wall!!!
The movie concept is close enough to an article called “The origin of Dragons and Dinosaurs : the archeological relations between China and Persia-its future
” which was published on a blog ‘Orphestrum’ in 2015 ..Anyhow, one of the major differences is -on that blog ,author mentioned that the great wall was built over the dragons and dinosaurs .But in this movie, we see the actors to fought with dragons/dinosaurs from that wall!!!
” which was published on a blog ‘Orphestrum’ in 2015 ..Anyhow, one of the major differences is -on that blog ,author mentioned that the great wall was built over the dragons and dinosaurs .But in this movie, we see the actors to fought with dragons/dinosaurs from that wall!!!
I love love loved this movie so much. It had monsters that were really well imagined, some Chinese culture and a little bit of love. Matt Damon's performance was exceptional as was all of the actors. I also think everyone in the crew did an amazing job. This movie is good enough to own!!!
2
The last line sums up the signature achievement of Zhang Yimou in anything he directs: "On the other are the meticulously choreographed warriors, who never seem less human than when joined together." As in the Beijing Olympics ceremonies, Zhang is a master at turning masses of performers into automatons, wearing the same costumes, doing the same movements, chanting or singing the same words or phrases, just to impress the ears and eyes. Enough already!
Does Matt Damon need the money? He is going through the motions in a roll and script fit for a B- actor. These type of movies start and stop with the pageantry and special effects. Then they hire a name actor who prostitutes himself for the bank account liner. Of course an advertising blitz preceded the opening and the release came at a time where viewers have slim pickings. It's to bad some of these special effects monsters can't turn on the people who came up with the idea for such a movie.
Come on, Matt needs the money to charter planes so he can preach about climate change. He must be up to a few million miles a year by now, Keep spreading the word Matt the world is counting on you.
Did the Grey Lady just print "smoking a bowl"?
4
@Steve: after four weeks covering the Trumpetency, the Grey Lady has probably installed a 3-ft bong in her office...
3
OMG. They did. Even there they are teaching me something. I had no idea what the phrase meant!!!!
3
Dargis- don't make too much fun of Damon--he may be our only hope to save us from Trump 2020.
Newsom ain't butch enough.
Newsom ain't butch enough.
1
Stop the whining and just watch the movie.
I've read a lot of reviews in my life and this one is one of the best written, informative, and entertaining. Thanks Manohla.
2
I believe this film was created for the Chinese audience and so it was a huge hit in China. Meanwhile Rambo, Rocky, and countless other Hollywood chest-thumping USA! USA! movies can be be viewed as propaganda, too, but at least they are not sneered at but appreciated and watched abroad, including in China. Americans are such xenophobic hypocrites.
6
It is simple science fiction pitting animated creatures against real creatures amidst one of the great backgrounds of the world, The Great Wall. Well done, should be fun.
Rambo, the first film, is the opposite of what you've just accused it of being.
2
I assume Mr. Damon was well paid. Very, very well paid.
3
Seems a twist on Beowulf meets Busby Berkeley at Trump's Wall.
Can hardly wait for the DVD!
Can hardly wait for the DVD!
5
Hey, there, I will not watch it anyway. I am not an action movie fan except some Kong Fu stuff like 'Crouching Tiger...'. However, I'd admire Zhang Yimou's forward thinking. Yes, he cannot make any arthouse movies anymore. His mind has indeed been corrupted by MONEY. But, he does know how to well leverage his resources to make something he like to make. What a luxurious work-style! I wish I'd have such luxury. Most of us only have 'ambitions', but lack resources. Thus, most of us turned to be sour grapes.
Supposedly, movies embody a fine line between imagination and farce. This movie is the latter. It takes boldness to envision a dynamic infusion of East meets West, where we get to see the slick cool 'Mr. Bourne' heroically (and perhaps sacrificially) take on evils of another world. Where Marco Polo exchanged ideas, 'Mr. Bourne' is emboldened to exchange military prowess. But frankly, with all due respect, it is none of his business.
I have always found these types of movies to be troubling. Historic inaccuracies aside, these movie story-lines, well, really lack respect. Hollywood fantasy movies tend to be largely thematically dubious, viz. Armageddon. But when they are further infused into cultural dimensions, a profound upsetting occurs. He is not supposed to be there, he does not belong there, largely because we have enough heroes from the West. Why do we have to venerate more prototype heroes when our world cries for diverse exemplars. I mean really, does the POTUS watch these movies to inform policy? Why is Zhang Yimou, a legendary Chinese artist, elide an opportunity to break our stereotypes? How about Andy Lau save the clan wars in Braveheart 2?
I remember 14 years ago when audiences painfully sat through Tom Cruise saving the Samurai world in 'The Last Samurai'. I for one will not make the same mistake twice.
I have always found these types of movies to be troubling. Historic inaccuracies aside, these movie story-lines, well, really lack respect. Hollywood fantasy movies tend to be largely thematically dubious, viz. Armageddon. But when they are further infused into cultural dimensions, a profound upsetting occurs. He is not supposed to be there, he does not belong there, largely because we have enough heroes from the West. Why do we have to venerate more prototype heroes when our world cries for diverse exemplars. I mean really, does the POTUS watch these movies to inform policy? Why is Zhang Yimou, a legendary Chinese artist, elide an opportunity to break our stereotypes? How about Andy Lau save the clan wars in Braveheart 2?
I remember 14 years ago when audiences painfully sat through Tom Cruise saving the Samurai world in 'The Last Samurai'. I for one will not make the same mistake twice.
3
Good points Green, although the one saving grace of "The Last Samurai" was that it suddenly swerved into historical accuracy at the end, Tom Cruise did not save the samurai world, and I thought his character was killed in the process as well, although that may be wishful thinking.
Zhang Yimou sold out as an artist long ago. Apart from his meaningful early films, his body of work -- from the Beijing Olympics ceremonies to his location-specific tourist-trap song-dance-light shows in Hangzhou and Yangshuo, to this movie -- stands out for being grandiose and more grandiose, using masses of humans as decorative automatons, sound and fury signifying nothing.
Terrible. Terrible. Just terrible.
Mark Watney would die on Mars before he allowed himself to do this.
Terrible
Mark Watney would die on Mars before he allowed himself to do this.
Terrible
2
I thought of the swarming Tao Tei as digitally managed murmurations of monsters - individually awful but when collectively choreographed, terrifically scary. As a child this was how we were brainwashed about the Chinese threat, they threatened us all as a swarming mass of selfless automatons directed to take over the world.
5
Well, if the subject here is to be the reviewer, rather than the movie, mightn't somebody have thought to wonder about what seems some sort of inside joke, the identification of one of the world's great living filmmakers simply as "the director, Zhang Yimou ("Heroes")"?
1
I seem to remember this film being promoted as "The Wall". If so, the title must have been changed in acknowledgement of the implicit reference.
1
i feel bad for matt damon
3
I am surprised at actors of the calibre of Matt Damon and Willem DeFoe participating in such a blatant piece of Chinese imperialist propaganda .... Well I suppose money talks. Frankly I have seen too many Chinese grand 'historical' extravagandas of its imperial past to be impressed by yet another one. Don't the Chinese make creative movies about modern life in China? Probably not ... the authorities would probably arrest the director and cast.
6
the chinese rewarded matt damon for his role and part in "The Martian" which portrayed the chinese space agency in a very positive light. this is but a starting salvo for china's attempt at gaining international "soft" power. unfortunately, we will not see any movies that will mention the abuses of the chinese government or any negative portrayal of china in general for fear of being bannned or blacklisted in china. matt damon got the carrot. brad pitt got the stick for "Seven Years in Tibet".
4
Indeed, even saying "Tibet" drives the CCP into a blind rage.
2
Based on the plot described here, they are following the tried-and-true formula for an action movie, steal it. Reference the SiFi classic Dragon Flight.
1
I think it's a shame that given your comments on the ways bodies are abstracted in this movie, you didn't comment on the accusations of many that this movie is about a white savior tale of a white man becoming the hero of a great crowd of Chinese bodies. I think that pointing out those problematic tropes combined with your critique of the people transforming into "a collective mass ornament" would make a stunning point—Matt Damon, a white man, stands out at the head of this collective mass ornament of Chinese people. I think it's a shame you didn't think it worthwhile to engage in that controversy which I think would be fitting with your own discussion of the masses occurring in this film.
3
" I think that pointing out those problematic tropes combined with your critique of the people transforming into "a collective mass ornament" would make a stunning point—Matt Damon, a white man, stands out at the head of this collective mass ornament of Chinese people."
I have read a review (vs an extrapolation from a cast list) that this did not actually happen, MD was just a moving part and not the star. Would be nice to see another review either verifying or contradicting that, it's true. Or what the heck just go see the movie myself I guess.
I have read a review (vs an extrapolation from a cast list) that this did not actually happen, MD was just a moving part and not the star. Would be nice to see another review either verifying or contradicting that, it's true. Or what the heck just go see the movie myself I guess.
NY Times should have had a movie critic who actually likes the genre revie this film. Ms. Dargis prefers other types of films. My coworkers saw this film in a preview and enjoyed it- but then they are guys and like action films.
5
How do you know she doesn't like action films?
Ok - nice, but over-priced escapism that glorifies macho induced fights and battles with "evil monsters.
Frankly, I generally wind up rooting for the monsters. After all, they have to eat too, right? In all fairness you can't expect any decent monster to use the drive-through at Taco Bell, can you?
This huge effort provides some nice paychecks for everyone concerned. (I hope.) Now if Hollywood can just figure out a way to "bring back Coal, and make America Great Again."
Oh, wait, that is already in the works.
(Well oiled machine, ha!)
Frankly, I generally wind up rooting for the monsters. After all, they have to eat too, right? In all fairness you can't expect any decent monster to use the drive-through at Taco Bell, can you?
This huge effort provides some nice paychecks for everyone concerned. (I hope.) Now if Hollywood can just figure out a way to "bring back Coal, and make America Great Again."
Oh, wait, that is already in the works.
(Well oiled machine, ha!)
7
Oh no, the great white hope again!
1
Matt Damon, I like you and I like to see you in American films. Please stop participating in Zhang Yimou produced Chinese films. Zhang is trying to be the Chinese Cecil B. DeMille. But he is not going to make it. Zhang is working for the Propaganda Dept. of the Chinese Communist Party. Cecil B. DeMille was a pioneer and outstanding movie maker in Hollywood and made Hollywood to become the world's motion picture capital. China now has lots of money to waste and trying to promote its political messages to the west, especially to the US. In 1982 a 10-day Chinese film festival in Torino, Italy, was organized by Mr. Marco Muller, a Chinese movie expert in Italy. During the 10-day period more than 135 Chinese films made from 1920s to early 1980s were shown in 5 local movie theatres. About 50 Chinese film specialists from different countries were invited to attend the festival and participate in panel discussions every day and made comments about the films. Chinese film actors and directors were also invited to attend this festival. I really enjoyed to participate in this film festival as a representative from the US. I hope some individual or some organizations able to host a similar event in the US in the future. Mr. Matt Damon perhaps you could help to host this kind of event.
7
"The whole thing plays out as if it had been thought up by someone who, while watching “Game of Thrones” and smoking a bowl, started riffing on walls, China and production money." Awesome quote, and come to think of it, not a bad way to get through this movie as well.
10
I could barely make it through the trailer with the sophomoric writing and acting. An extravagant production budget and a dizzying use of computer animation alone doesn't make up for the lackluster here.
3
This looks good to me. I'll watch it just for the enjoyment. I could care less about hidden meanings, etc. I just want to be entertained and forget everything else going on.
3
Um, no thanks! I'd just end up hoping that the monsters would devour all of the humans, including Matt Damon, who should know better but apparently can't resist the paycheck. But that kind of satisfactorily tidy ending will never happen because the underlying assumption of these bombastic craptaculars is that you can never have too many humans--even in China!
5
Wow, what a movie! Will be Damon's best. No doubt.
1
I'm glad I went to this review. I will skip the noisy spectacle and just marvel at how much more I enjoy good writing.
7
"Mr Damon....looks uncharacteristically ill at ease during much of this". Perhaps he's thinking to himself, "I cant' believe I'm doing the money grab thing"!
He probably got $20M for this.
I'll see it for the special effects and costume and nothing more.
He probably got $20M for this.
I'll see it for the special effects and costume and nothing more.
3
I saw this movie a couple of weeks ago in Paris. I'm a big fan of Zhang Yimou's spectacular productions (he did the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics) and the combination of him and Matt Damon proved irresistible. I went along, even though I knew the movie would be bad. I was curious to see how Zhang would integrate a western hero into a Chinese movie while avoiding racial stereotypes. He almost pulled it off. The basic premise was interesting -- Matt Damon as a soldier of fortune going to China along the Silk Road with the intention of getting his hands on some gunpowder and taking it back to Europe where he hopes to mass produce it and make a fortune. Unfortunately, the director never developed the idea and instead we end up up thousands of computer-generated monsters invading China. The movie was so bad it was good -- one of those that is almost an instant cult film, it is so campy. My grandkids loved it. Too bad. Zhang used to make good movies, but has become obsessed by special effects to the exclusion of story-telling.
4
It will be interesting to see how Chinese films evolve. The big blockbusters like "The Great Wall" tend to suffer from the same problems their Western counterparts like "Independence Day" and most of the current Western fantasy and superhero movies do -- clunky storylines, clutter and excess. But smaller Chinese films like "Not One Less" about a young girl teaching a class of children not much younger than herself in an impoverished part of China who follows one of her young charges to Beijing where he sought work to support his family and brings him back and "A World Without Thieves" which combined great special effects and cinematography in a story invovling a husband and wife team of train thieves protecting a young naive carpenter from a team of much more ruthless train thieves plying their trade on the same train demontrated Chinese film makers can combine beautiful visuals with engaging stories and sell lots of tickets.
8
The film's success globally is secondary to its actual goal. The real "achievement" of the film is its making. China is using this movie to build up its connections with Hollywood production companies and 'learning the ropes' of how to compete with Hollywood in making big budget action movies for global audiences, in order to develop its domestic industry and challenge the U.S. in global 'soft power.' Perhaps Mr. Damon realizes this, and that is why he seems so ill at ease in the film.
The NYT might look down its nose at this as an over-stuffed action movie, but the fact is that in the simple process of making the movie, China has already achieved many of its goals for the film.
See for example this piece in Wharton Biz school: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/lights-china-action-how-china...
The NYT might look down its nose at this as an over-stuffed action movie, but the fact is that in the simple process of making the movie, China has already achieved many of its goals for the film.
See for example this piece in Wharton Biz school: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/lights-china-action-how-china...
26
@Aimery
China is the world's largest film market. Chinese film production based in Hong Kong has produced thousands of commercial movies for decades. Sir Run Run Shaw, the first and oldest movie billionaire, ranks among the most influential movie-makers of all time, with his movie studio pioneering global distribution of Chinese language films, and where acclaimed directors such as John Woo and even Taiwan-born Ang Lee got their start.
The world's largest film production facility is being built in Northern China, by the Chinese company that currently owns the largest number of movie theaters in the US. Film and TV production has long been a major economic sector for both China and the Chinese in diaspora.
Mountain comes to Muhammad this is not.
China is the world's largest film market. Chinese film production based in Hong Kong has produced thousands of commercial movies for decades. Sir Run Run Shaw, the first and oldest movie billionaire, ranks among the most influential movie-makers of all time, with his movie studio pioneering global distribution of Chinese language films, and where acclaimed directors such as John Woo and even Taiwan-born Ang Lee got their start.
The world's largest film production facility is being built in Northern China, by the Chinese company that currently owns the largest number of movie theaters in the US. Film and TV production has long been a major economic sector for both China and the Chinese in diaspora.
Mountain comes to Muhammad this is not.
3
As Samuel Johnson said, "It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all."
1
This is typical of the Chinese nationalist bombast (it all sounds very Maoist and unevolved) - stressing numbers above all - 'most influential', 'largest film market', 'largest film production company', 'largest number of movie theaters', 'major economic sector' as if that has anything to do with quality or value.
As always, underneath the hype, palpable - and justifiable - insecurity. Big numbers don't make any of it any good. Unless you consider McDonalds "the most influential restaurant of all time." No, it's just a factory for making bad food. And the biggest 'movie factory' in the world will probably produce similar results.
As always, underneath the hype, palpable - and justifiable - insecurity. Big numbers don't make any of it any good. Unless you consider McDonalds "the most influential restaurant of all time." No, it's just a factory for making bad food. And the biggest 'movie factory' in the world will probably produce similar results.
1
Just a couple of years ago I would have approached a Manohla Dargis movie review with a great deal of trepidation, as I can't tell me how many times I'd read one and learned very little about the movie. But she has grown on me, and I have to admit that I actually was pleased to see that she reviewed The Great Wall. From the trailers, it looked to me like it was all about how a Westerner (Matt Damon, of course) had to save China from something dreadful. So I was looking forward to Ms. Dargis' pithy comments to that effect. But instead I learned that this movie is a 'testament to China's might'. So thank you, Manhola, for that.
And I was pleased to see the other deft touches she puts into her reviews, from the clever reference to Saruman's orders to the Uruk-Hair in The Fellowship of the Ring - "Find the' Black Powder'. Kill the Creatures", and her signature touch, a reference to a German theorist discussing Busby Berkeley films followed quickly by a comparison of the 'multitude of surging bodies' seen in The Great Wall to the the ominous meaning of similar masses seen in Triumph of the Will, both of which demonstrate her depth of film knowledge and keen eye for cinemastic irony.
Manohla, you are coming into your own!
And I was pleased to see the other deft touches she puts into her reviews, from the clever reference to Saruman's orders to the Uruk-Hair in The Fellowship of the Ring - "Find the' Black Powder'. Kill the Creatures", and her signature touch, a reference to a German theorist discussing Busby Berkeley films followed quickly by a comparison of the 'multitude of surging bodies' seen in The Great Wall to the the ominous meaning of similar masses seen in Triumph of the Will, both of which demonstrate her depth of film knowledge and keen eye for cinemastic irony.
Manohla, you are coming into your own!
7
Her giggle-worthy comparisons of The Wall's over-the-top Chinese pageantry and Busby Berkeley musicals are yet another reason to love Dargis. Well played, Manohla. Well played.
15
This looks like just another second rate action, special effects spectacle. But the Times reviewer serms intent on introducing Cold War paranoia into the mix. Are we going from Fake News to Fake Reviews?
12
Yes. I am now not going to movies.
Lol, what? We were never in a Cold War with China.
1
No, but you just did that.
1
Let's take some consolation in the thought that some part of the paycheck Damon earned for this awful-sounding "film" will end up in his charity, Water.org.
1
Can't wait to watch it on my iPhone.
3
No comment about Damon being in a movie about a wall in this trumpian era?
5
Probably because "Elysium" hit the nail on the head better.
2
It looks like Legolas redux.
When I saw the commercial that suggested that the answer to Matt Damon's question of what are they fighting is lizard-people, I figured that I'm not the audience for this movie, since, having an affinity for lizards, I would be rooting for the reptiles.
3
i am willing to bet it is 100 times better than batman vs superman. i am going to see it tomorrow. from the previews i think i am going to like it. it looks like good escapist fun...
4
The film was released months ago here in Europe, where it came and went without notice in about 2 weeks.
12
I sent a copy of the review to my 13 year old son as 1) an attempt to find something to get him to read and 2) give him the pleasure later on of telling me how wrong the Times was, again, in its reviews. This sounds unbeatable in the 13 year old boy Oscar category. The only tricky part is finding the 13 year old grownup who is willing to take him and a pal. If the grownup is actually a little older and lucky, they will find Paterson at the same time and at the same multiplex--just not next door.
2
Damon is one of the most outspoken (and knowledgable) celebrities on many important issues. Just from the picture, before reading, my thought was, "God, they must have backed up the truck with money, as this surely must be embarrassing." Money is power in our world, and he may do something very good with it. Hope so.
5
The reviewer is dishonest, never revealing the truth about this mess - Matt Damon's money-grab, adding a new low to the acting profession, yet again.
3
Hey you tutored critics, some among us may enjoy good spectacle. In and out Irish accent is dandy.
5
I'd think the spectacle of the only Irishman in ancient China would be enough without the accent. He could even just say he was Irish in a Boston accent, who would know the difference there?
4
Usually, the greatest filmmaker in the world with his small scale studies of humanity at its basic personal core, Yimou seems to have this persistent addiction to big budget, CGI special effects movies as well. Why Zhang?
3
This is quite a change for Damon. I suppose it you have multiple talents, you do multiple styles of pictures but I like Jason Borne far better.
2
Do a better 'Bourne', Matt, before it's too late.
6
Just as long as he stays away from another Transformers, or was that Mark Wahlberg...
Dear Stephen,
That was Mark Wahlberg, but really everybody should stay away from another Transformers.
That was Mark Wahlberg, but really everybody should stay away from another Transformers.
1
Reading this review, it's hard to know what this great director is up to here, unless playing off the success of his Beijing Olympics spectacle to see what he can achieve larges scale. Although he's done some great martial arts work (Hero, 2002; House of Flying Daggers, 2004), and the sublime historical pieces with Gong Li (Ju Dou, 1990: Raise the Red Lantern, 1991; To Live, 1994), my personal favorites are his smaller scale works that touch the heart (Coming Home, 2014; The Road Home, 1999). I think I'll skip this one and wait to see what he does next -- and in the meantime, screen one of those older films.
6
This is a white savior movie, and drawn backlash among the Asian American community. Somehow the author neglected to mention that.
23
Yes! Another Whitewash of history!
Fact or Fiction the damage is the same!
Great Wall is just as guilty as Tom Cruise in the The Last Samuai
Just Wrong!
Fact or Fiction the damage is the same!
Great Wall is just as guilty as Tom Cruise in the The Last Samuai
Just Wrong!
1
Actually if you read other reviews there is no white savior in this film.
1
It's a mainland Chinese production, which means that the cultural implications of the decision to cast a white male lead are distinctly different from those that exist when Hollywood does the same thing. For one thing, the racial power dynamics within China cannot and should not be compared to the ones within the US, especially when it comes to producing narratives that fit the white savior narrative. (For one thing, the Chinese film industry does not have the same lack of films with Asian leads acting as the heroes and saviors, so the optics of representation are pretty different.) It's depressing that they see casting a white lead as their best bet for breaking further into the international market since that's cynically reflective of international racist attitudes, but it's manifestly not the same thing as Hollywood's persistent shunning of Asian-American actors as leads because the same representation issues don't exist within the local industry.
(Honestly, I had the same reaction and no interest in this film until I noticed that the posters evinced a design aesthetic that was clearly rooted in Chinese fantasy rather than American ideas of the same, which lead to me reading more and re-evaluating the production based on who was involved and had primary control over the decision-making and casting.)
(Honestly, I had the same reaction and no interest in this film until I noticed that the posters evinced a design aesthetic that was clearly rooted in Chinese fantasy rather than American ideas of the same, which lead to me reading more and re-evaluating the production based on who was involved and had primary control over the decision-making and casting.)
6
I saw an in-theater trailer in 3D; the visuals were extraordinary. I will go for the sheer spectacle, from which a plot would only detract. In fact, I think I'll even skip the assistive listening/closed caption device.
5
Sounds and looks intensely bad. I'm reminded of "Pacific Rim", a similarly big-monster-fight based movie with no redeeming features. Even on the poster, Willem Dafoe has a look on his face like, "why did I agree to do this crud?".
This film was made for a Chinese audience, to impress them with China's supremacy in all things, and convince them, maybe, that the Great Wall was built for a reason, rather than the total failure it actually turned out to be. Its builders were overthrown, of course, from the south.
So if you're in China and enjoy CCP propaganda, go watch this thing. If not, I'd say don't, but instead get a copy of "Hero", also by this director, starring Jet Li, and watch that instead. That was a terrific, beautiful film, and well worth seeing.
This film was made for a Chinese audience, to impress them with China's supremacy in all things, and convince them, maybe, that the Great Wall was built for a reason, rather than the total failure it actually turned out to be. Its builders were overthrown, of course, from the south.
So if you're in China and enjoy CCP propaganda, go watch this thing. If not, I'd say don't, but instead get a copy of "Hero", also by this director, starring Jet Li, and watch that instead. That was a terrific, beautiful film, and well worth seeing.
34
If you enjoy propaganda, then "Hero" really is your film. It's a paean to China's autocratic Communist Party, and signaled Zhang Yimou's newfound status as a Court filmmaker.
I quite liked Pacific Rim, which aside from a silly plot, had wonderfully imaginative monsters and some really nice shots.
13
However, HERO was also at its core a propaganda message albeit a beautifully packaged one.
3
There's something incongruous about Matt Damon in a shiny suit running around with a quiver full of arrows on the Great Wall. He needs a gun and a couple of bogus passports, or maybe a fistful of Martian dust. I don't think this is his shtick.
33
I especially the idea of Matt in Hair Extensions.
6
Could this atticle be any worse? Its sci fy. Is it worth seeing or not? Real simple. If I go, I want escapist entertainment. I dont need a bunch of incredibly boring insight that tries to make this more a parable on life rather than a movie to watch for fun.
10
@SecondCup
Damon is returning the favor, no doubt, for being rescued off Mars by a Chinese rocket in The Martian...
Damon is returning the favor, no doubt, for being rescued off Mars by a Chinese rocket in The Martian...
2