I’ll be honest, I didn’t have big expectations for this movie. And good for me, because it didn’t deliver much. This movie, beside of Charlize Theron, some good healing CGI and a few fun to watch fighting scenes. But after all, I don’t watch many movies and especially less Netflix Originals, but this one was based on a comic book and it looked fine, so I decided to do it anyway. Plus, Charlize is great in whatever she’s in.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
The story is pretty linear. The immortals, that hid for so many ages, have been discovered and an evil man, running a big, pharmaceutical company wants to catch them and use as lab rats. Oh, in the meantime, they find another immortal and the oldest one of them lost her gift. I know, I have a thing for making a summary, but it helps me think. And helps explain my point of view a little. It just came down to another Netflix action original, with no soul. That’s really disappointing. Especially, that, from what I heard, the comic is pretty good. But that’s probably the most we can hope for at this time. A quick, budget looking Netflix Original, with a known face. Fits their tacting perfectly.
As for the characters, I liked some of them. Not much tho, because, like the storyline, they were notably one-dimensional. The most important, Andy, was probably the best written, or just Charlize got the most out of her. Charlize’s character had the most background and motivations, explaining her actions. The rest, especially Booker, had just a few words about their past, which is a bad idea if you make a movie based on a team. A new addition to their collection, Nile, was pretty fun to watch and it was entertaining, to track her story. But on the other hand, she had the most common character ark, that I have seen in a while. Of course, in that case, we have to ignore the fact, that most of them had much fewer screentime, to tell the audience, who they are. And I didn’t even talk about their future sidekick, Copley, who’s job was just to tell the viewers, that they did a lot of good. (I’ll get to it later) The villain was even poorly written. I at least hoped for a thrilling boss fight at the end, but sadly even his death scene was longer. Who would have thought, that they’ll cheap a little on this? Heh. The most disappointing villain since… Probably Suicide Squad (2016).
The action was fine. It had to be because the movie stands mostly on it. The few things I have to point out tho. I’m not a fan of the shacky action camera. I hate it and hope this trend will die soon, because of such great action movies like John Wick (2014) and, you know, the sequels. But it’s probably cheaper, then hiring a good choreograph. Not all of the fight scenes were like that, fortunately, but still too many. And in my opinion, it lacked some ax action. For a weapon, that is in the shape of the symbol, that’s on the poster, it didn’t get much love, as it deserved.
Overall there were some things, that I liked. Some even a lot. I think that the guys responsible for the soundtrack made a pretty good job. But I only, if we count it as a separate being. I listen to it from time to time and even favorited some of the songs. The downside to it is, that this didn’t go with some of the scenes. Yeah, fine, you showed a minute long fighting scene and a minute cut from an awesome song. So what? It does not make the scene great, it should just make it better. Spice won’t fix your chicken, of you, undercook it. I also appreciated, how they worked Copley’s character. Yes, he was poorly written and underused, and overall pretty useless. But the scene, where he explained some of the things, the immortals did too help humanity was cool. I’ve enjoyed it. It fitted well with the climate of this movie. And the last thing, what I want to point out, is the end credits scene. I don’t know why, but I hoped, that for the sequel they’ll change dramatically the direction and go for an action-adventure movie, where they give another chance to finding Andy’s long lost friend. But she surprisingly appeared in a scene with Brooker. Shame. I think an action-adventure would be better, then an evil-corporation, uptight Netflix Original action movie.
Soiler free :3
I’m gonna end it with the phrase I send my friends after watching it: “Not bad, but pretty boring.” Some cool fighting scenes. A few catchy songs. Charlize Theron. And it’s on Netflix when there aren’t as many new movies. If you’re bored, I’d probably gave it a shot and hoped, that the sequel will be better. Seriously, great to watch, forget, and move on to the next one.
Source:
Pic. 1 The Old Guard (2020) poster, Charlize Theron, The Old Guard (2020), dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood, Netflix
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Pic. 2 Copley waiting for Andy and Booker, Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Old Guard (2020), dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood, Netflix
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Pic. 3 Andy ready for action, Charlize Theron, The Old Guard (2020), dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood, Netflix
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Pic. 4 Behind the scenes with the director, Kiki Layne, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Charlize Theron, The Old Guard (2020), dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood, Netflix
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Princess with Pancakes 