Yet another good action flick Charlize Theron is once again a part of. This movie reminds you of Atomic Blonde just with somewhat lesser action. If at all there is an improvement coming from that you can say it is in its story and direction. But it would definitely make you miss the stuntmen David Leitch‘s work in terms of action.
The Old Guard movie is taken straight from a comic book written by Greg Rucka who builds on a risible plot that can easily survive in the comical world. But thanks to Gina Prince-Bythewood of The Old Guard movie this fantasy tale ends up getting superbly complemented by its direction.
It is that one thing that gorgeously crafts the movie hiding the implausible in its very box of tangibility. You could bite on it with the exact amount of fervour you share when you watch any superhero movie.
Charlize’s Affair with Action
There is something about Charlize Theron and action that makes every flick she does in the genre a sheer act of badassery. Still can’t shake off the hand to hand staircase combat scene from Atomic Blonde.
Charlize looks a whole lot different in her Andy avatar in The Old Guard too. It is hard not to see why she was a perfect casting choice. She literally exemplifies power, brings that brute force and energy to a scene that tells she means business.
She feels just right as the primal protagonist of the flick, the one who drives it forward alongside Nile played by KiKi Layne. Not only is she cool she acts like it too.
The Plot and Theme of The Old Guard Movie
Being a fantastical tale straight from the comics, The Old Guard movie doesn’t feel as if it was being too ambitious to have aimed for the big screen.
I mean the time is now. We are seeing so many superhero movies with VFX at its peak, showing us a world we used to only dream of. The reality realms we explore today seem to be within our reach.
The Old Guard lurches itself on today’s time and leverages that very fact. While some might find the context absurd, you have to agree that in today’s times you have to approach something out of the ordinary to surprise us.
A group of immortals trying to do the right thing at the same time being chased by people who want what they have, that automatically builds a story on its own. The layering its writer Greg Rucka does, is what makes it something more.
The Good in the Old Guard
There are many promising things to look out for in The Old Guard. Some action sequences are pretty dope. The fact that you are invincible makes you more confident. That confidence is oozing in its action scenes.
Charlize is just badass as Andy. Everything you learn about her character makes you want to know her past more. Things like what other cool things did she do, where else was she involved? What was her past? The rest of the team fail to enthuse you much. Sadly none of those characters have been built carefully.
The best part is toward the end where you get to witness some proper teamwork. When they know that Andy is vulnerable, the way they complement each other to save and defend her is a delight to watch.
What went wrong with the Movie Old Guard?
Loved to see the story flourish from a third perspective vantage coming from Nile (KiKi). However, I still think we could have done a better casting choice there. Couldn’t really feel the acting on her. Too bland sometimes.
If you remember someone from the movie effortlessly that would be Andy, hands down, and probably some Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) because he had a lot on his plate. If we are planning to make a sequel KiKi Layne really has to give in to her role.
Also, the supposed twists from the movie can be easily seen from far away. Maybe the director tried too hard to show subtle things out loud. It was like – “why is Gina showing us a scene explicitly unless there is something fishy going on?” You are easily able to crack the code, and then you are no longer surprised.
If people had not known about Logan or Wolverine, watching these Immortals revive would have been pretty sick. But that doesn’t feel like a new thing.
There are at times the movie goes way to slow, or stops between action to deliver lines. Maybe some editing could have done it justice. Also, you can’t help but complain about its limited action. There was so much you could have done with such an interesting concept, so much action could have been coaxed out. Unfortunately, it is quite confined.
There is laughable folly at times and they are all out there in the open – untended and untied. Like a scene where Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes – “Who are you?” and Nile shoots herself in the leg, and then Copley is like – “Oh!”
Even the camerawork didn’t seem quite up to the mark. It seemed the production was on a budget. You can conspicuously peruse not a lot of effort went into its frames.
The Final Verdict
Overall the movie still meant business. It becomes successful in inspiring awe at a lot of joints. Even though things are a tad average, you can’t scratch out the fact that it is still better than a lot of movies you see nowadays.
The Old Guard is saved by its direction. All the plausible things that shield the implausible, that’s where its magic gets worked on.
The movie does end on something to look forward to which was pretty cool. Now we have something to look up to. Goes without saying, the creators should learn from their mistakes and cover them up in the next one. Hopefully, come up with a better sequel than most of the franchises have in the past, and you have got yourself a good franchise.
You can check out the trailer of The Old Guard movie here:
The Old Guard
Pros
- Charlize Theron as Andy
- The Plot
Cons
- At times becomes slow
- Could have used more action
- Songs for its score
- Kiki's acting
