When I first saw the trailer to what seemed to be yet another Netflix action flick starring a big Hollywood actor-I thought “meh” it really didn’t impress me that much. But once I saw the screener (advance copy) I was immediately drawn in the world of immortal soldiers living among us.
What made “The Old Guard” (based on the comic book by Greg Rucka) stand out from other Netflix action movies is that its characters each had their own identity, their own inner conflict, and which is why you would either root for them or you know, maybe hate them or feel pity towards them. Whatever the emotion, these immortal soldiers were not merely decoration alongside Charlize Theron’s Andy. Who, herself is having an existential crisis as a warrior who has been fighting for millenia. She’s been around for so long, she doesn’t even know how old she is. Despite taking on missions to help make a difference in the world, Andy thinks that whatever good that they do, it means nothing. “The world isn’t getting better, it’s getting worse” she says.
Andy’s fellow immortals include, lovers Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) who we totally support, by the way! -there is a scene where Joe professes his love for Nicky and it was so beautiful, I actually shed a tear. That declamation of love, should be in a list of romantic movie lines and I actually thought that when you are immortal and have years and years on you, literally forever, you will just go ahead and love the person who you love, no matter the consequences, and that is beautiful, life is too short to give up on your true love.
Then we have Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) who deals with the grief of losing his family with a lot of alcohol but his liver probably heals itself so he won’t exactly die from it. “Just because we keep on living, doesn’t mean we stop hurting” he says.
When their latest mission exposes them they spring into action, only to have more complications thrown at them, with the arrival of a new undying soldier, Nile (Kiki Layne) a US Marine. I was really impressed with Nile, despite being the “new guy” in the group, she was able to stand toe-to-toe with a veteran actress like Charlize Theron, she’s cool and she’s got swagger.
Even Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character, Mr. Copley is not as two dimensional and even has a bit of dramatic dialogue in there that can get to you, if you let it.
There is a progression and a growth in these characters which will draw you into them and that makes for a great movie experience.
The film has clean, efficient and deadly action stunts, our ancient soldiers are not only handy with guns but with swords and axes as well. Andy’s labrys (double bitted axe) is especially cool and badass.
Aside from the action the myth and world building is so captivating! (the story of Gwen is pretty interesting and disturbing, something that I still find myself thinking about even after seeing the movie) The film deals on themes of love, family, morality and ethics and dives into the question of “What you do with the gifts given to you?”
The film ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and why not? As this is the trend in movies these days but honestly, its the only one that I want to follow and I want to know what happens next.
“The Old Guard” streams on Netflix on July 10.