Warning- Spoilers Ahead!!
Gone are the days with men leading a team of superheroes. This is Matriarchy and it is here to slay! ‘The Old Guard’ premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2020, and it is such a refreshing take on the superhero genre and it is here to stay.
The film is an adaptation from the popular graphic novel that goes by the same name written by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández. The movie ‘The Old Guard’ is so good that you could expect it to turn into the next best superhero franchise. Just like the way their gun game was on point, the film too, succeeds in hitting the targets right.
Although the film lacks speed and at times the plot feels a little too stretchy, the film makes it up with its well-rounded characters and sick action scenes.
The film is an action thriller one, and all the stunts were rather impressive. Even though there was so much blood splattering, hollow wounds of bullet created in the face, guts being ripped out, it was a brand new spin on the existing genre of superheroes. It is something to look forward to especially now that we’re all sitting at home desperately waiting for some new kind of entertainment at home.
The main essence of the film lies in the hands of an eternal female warrior, Andromache the Scythian AKA Andy, who spearheads a five-member army of fellow immortals on several missions to save humanity and mankind.
They’re tough, they’re forever young and extremely powerful beings. Her team is bejeweled with ageless and fearless fighters like Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Nicky (Luca Marinelli), Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and the latest addition is a young U.S Marine named Nile (KiKi Layne).
However, one breach of trust leads the clan to have their “power” exposed to a Geeky psycho science guy- Steven Merrick (Harry Melling), who is hell-bent on extracting their immortality to provide it to other humans at very high prices. This is a modern take on immortality and how science and technology have to potential to be misused to meet the greedy needs of humans!
Now with their cover blown up, Andy and her team of 5 are on a mission to save themselves and take down Steven Merrick.
The ‘The Old Guard’ begins with an unrequited destiny to find death. Andy is desperate to call death upon herself because she no longer has any purpose apart from dealing with the debacles of humanity with her team.
The movie has a very ninja + superhero vibe and makes you think about it for a while. Immortality is a curse if you don’t make the most of it. They are like your modern-day superheroes who do not need swanky costumes to make themselves known. They lurk around us and blend amongst the common people.
One of the other amazing things about these guys is that they can recover from any kind of a wound, even if they are blown up and sustain fatal injuries, they will never die unless it is time to go.
But as for Andy, she has seen the world, quite literally as she has been in the existence for over centuries, seen great rulers and dictators and resistance movements. She has such wonderful skills to kill the bad guys, and she has mastered every way possible. She is also trying to find new ways of killing whilst doing her job- protecting their identity of being immortal.
Andy, the badass boss is so good at her work even after centuries. But now she’s tired of everything and wants quick and assured death. She emerges as an indomitable figure who can take on any number of bad buys with guns, knives, and any other fatal weapon you could think of. She is always been at the frontier and she is a wonderful analogy of a survivor who has overcome everything in her life.
‘The Old Guard’ takes us on an inevitable violent adventure with Andy and her immortal army as they fight for saving themselves from the wrath of science and technological exploitation. The primary goal of the movie is to serve a mix of friendship, loneliness and “resistance to capture” as no one wants to spend a lifetime all caged up.
The undying band of the immortal army has also been secretly protecting humanity for aeons, but now are facing the biggest threat to their own lives. As Steve Merrick, the CEO of the Pharma company is busy hatching a plan with the help of CIA agent James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to extract the genetic code of our immortal army to make profits. Hells breaks loose when Andy’s right hand- Booker decides to betray her.
The only thing that has stayed constant over the centuries is loneliness and grief. Andy explains the downside of immortality to Nile. It sucks to have your loved ones die with their finite lifespan while you stay immortal. While the mortals have so much to worry about. These undying warriors of righteousness have nothing to fear, not even a disease.
Funny thing, nobody ever questioned them about their job or what they do for a living. It was evident in one of the scenes when a cashier was nursing Andy’s wound on the shoulder. Andy says, “Won’t you ask me how it happened?” And a reply that left her feeling bittersweet- “I don’t care what happens. It is none of my business. If I help you today, you will help somebody else tomorrow.”
Andy’s character came full cycle with this and we realize that a woman like her has never needed anybody’s help. But when her immortality was at the cusp of breaking, the cashier helped her out thus, KARMA!
The movie also explores the sub narratives of homosexuality that emerges from the adorable love story of Joe and Nicky. They met each other on the opposite sides of the Crusades and killed each other only to fall in love a little later.
Amidst the blood spills and crude nature of violence, there is one particularly beautiful scene— when Joe expresses his love for his partner, Nicky. It was such a strong emotion that he brought about fearlessly. The pair care about each other’s safety and ensure they wake up after getting shot. The tiny details of love deserve extra credit.
It was such a thrill to watch Charlize Theron back in action and she single-handedly stole the thunder from her co-stars in this film. In every bit of the film, you could potentially find yourself gawking at the flawless beauty doing her heroic job of kicking the bad guys left right and center. Some moments of action gave us the Mad Max: Fury Road feels.
The Old Guard 2 might be in the making. Here’s everything we know about it!
Although the movie is slightly predictable it should not stop you from watching it. Stay for the action and we assure you, it is worth your precious time!
Looks like there’s new blood on the block as the old guards are here to stay for a little longer.
Stay tuned to The Hollywood Tribune for more Movie Reviews and the latest news from Hollywood and Beyond! Read the Latest Updates on The Old Guard 2 here!
The Review
"The Old Guard"
Although the movie is slightly predictable it should not stop you from watching it. Stay for the action and we assure you, it is worth your precious time!
