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May 21, 2018MICHAEL TAGGART MALONEY rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The days of U.S.-Chinese blockbuster film co-productions are probably already behind us. Cold War 2.0 with Russia has already been launched, and Trump has cooked up a new Cold War with China, though it was something Obama announced (his "pivot to Asia"). Based on the many reviews that panned THE GREAT WALL, I was expecting much worse. It is a decent action-adventure picture, but one basically in the Chinese vernacular. Meaning that it does its martial valor straight with no satirical chaser. We pampered Westerners prefer our blood and guts seasoned with comic asides, which is why we love DEADPOOL movies so much. Matt Damon got raked over the coals because he presented a sort of Victor Mature earnestness in his portrayal of a mercenary who discovers a higher purpose, a larger cause than personal gain. THE GREAT WALL is a warning against rampant greed. Nations can't survive against it without radical acts of heroism. American audiences can't help but feel conflicted because we've been taught for decades that greed is good.