How Did This Get Made?

The Great Wall LIVE! (HDTGM Matinee)

Sep 9, 2025
In a lively discussion, the hosts hilariously dissect the alien flick starring Matt Damon, pointing out everything from peculiar accents to absurd CGI fight scenes. They critique the convoluted plot and mixed performances while sharing playful insights on themes of greed and community. The absurdity of a character's overconfidence sparks laughter, and reflections on Damon’s recurring film themes lead to a lighthearted banter with the Boston audience. It's a comedic exploration of one film's quirks and its larger cinematic implications.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Big-Budget Cultural Spectacle

  • The Great Wall is framed as a high-budget Chinese spectacle with surprising Western leads.
  • That production scale shapes creative choices and cultural positioning of the film.
ANECDOTE

Train-View, Time-Blur Experience

  • Jason watched the film on a train and found it felt much longer than its runtime.
  • He blamed Matt Damon's performance for the sluggish pacing and his own intolerance for subtitled scenes.
INSIGHT

Practical Effects Mask Story Flaws

  • The podcast highlights strong practical set pieces and production design amid narrative weaknesses.
  • Visual craftsmanship keeps interest even when character and tone feel contrived.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app