Many stories, myths, and legends surround the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Of those legends, is Zhang Yimou’s “The Great Wall” starring Matt Damon as the dashing Irish warrior, William. On his latest quest, he is joined by Tovar (Pedro Pascal) when their camp is ambushed by mythical beings. William, a competent archer, kills one of the creatures and is able to cut one of its claws off. When their travels eventually take them to the Great Wall, the military strategists of The Nameless Order greet William’s story with incredulity. But, they are also prepared for the onslaught that is about to befall them, ultimately accepting William. Rounding out a strong supporting cast are Tian Jing, Andy Lau, Hanyu Zhang and Willem Dafoe.

One of the first major films to be co-produced between China and the US and shot on location in China, Zhang Yimou’s film feels overstuffed with details that drag on its 104 minute running time. More style than substance, the ‘surface’ of the film is replete with strong design choices, brilliant bits of coloring, daring cinematography and action.

The story is where the movie suffers. Although the narrative weaves its way to a logical conclusion, the logic becomes quagmired in the myth with each passing moment as characters that should have had stronger impressions were left with nothing. To be fair, the screenplay by Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro and Tony Gilroy is focused on the Chinese cast and from that perspective, it opens a window on to a world that far too few outside China have previously seen, even if one must suspend disbelief before entering the movie. Jing Tan, Andy Lau and Hanyu Zhang are all very front and center of the action pieces throughout, defying gravity and in some instances logic. However, they all frame Matt Damon, and to an extent, Pedro Pascal effectively without taking away from their own performances; they are the real heroes of the story.

Where the story fell short, the visuals enhanced the impact of “The Great Wall”, certainly more so in 3D. The brilliant camera work from Stuart Dryburgh (“Alice Through the Looking Glass”, “The Piano”) and Zhao Xiaoding (“House of Flying Daggers”) is truly one of the triumphs of the film as they shift from the deep shadows of the mountains surrounding the wall, to the brilliant yellows and blues of the uniforms worn by the Chinese military all the while maintaining a greyish pallor, belying the troubled road ahead for our warriors.

Effects masters Industrial Light & Magic and Weta were brought on to not only help reconstruct part of the Wall, as the filmmakers were not allowed access to the physical structure, but the weapons and other accoutrements used throughout the production, details that shined throughout the film. Ramin Djawadi’s score reinforces the film’s themes of trust and brotherhood throughout.

Although admirable in what it tries to say, it relies far more on its effects than its own ability to tell a story sacrificing substance for style. This “Great Wall” is not so very great.