A dull film that rushes through a threadbare plot and barely developed characters, the surprise here is such a talented cast is wasted, though Matt Damon seems at pains to admit in interviews he just wanted to work with the director. A shame then that the director's strength in visuals is nowhere near as impressive as his other films - sure the costumes and design are very well done but this is all lost in a mess of poor special effects and editing. If you're questioning plot developments from the opening scene then you know the film hasn't clicked and when the final resolution is straight out of the "How to stop a drone army with a Queen" manual, you know the film has problems. Very disappointing it is mercifully short and watchable only due to Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe who seem to be in just as much of a rush to get this over with as the audience.

I actually went into this movie with the idea that's it's an historic piece about actual events! Just imagine my surprise when aliens started showing up. I seriously considered turning it off, but I stayed. Although this doesn't fit the recent works of either Damon nor Pascal, i enjoyed their batter and lightness. The action is nice and doesn't take itself too seriously, and most important - the characters aren't dumb! So overall, just tune yourself before watching it, take it easy, and I believe you'll enjoy. Especially if you don't have anything else to watch - but don't clear out your day for this. For me, watching this the one time only is enough. 7/10.

Poor Matt Damon looked like he was dying inside whenever he delivered a line. All dialogue was so bad, it made me feel sorry for everyone involved. The one positive point is that the production is pretty, but still not as enchanting as in other Yimou movies. The plot was bland and some details were just ridiculous, like how they end up in the wall during the first battle because the guard could not find keys to a cell, really? It was one big eyeroll after the other. I was more entertained by my knitting than the movie, and would not have been able to finish it at all were I not doing something else.

While the film isn't bad, it is a disappointment from a great director. At times visually beautiful, but the CGI creatures are a letdown. Matt Damon is a good actor but here he is a distraction...as with The Mummy, the film would have benefitted from an unknown actor. A slight story doesn't help, either. However, the film passes the time, and will one day be a staple of Sunday afternoon television.