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Plenty of life left in ancient warriors Flawed-but-fun comic-book adaptation
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Netflix
The latest big-budget Netflix release – with $ 70 million behind it – stars Charlize Theron (Andy) as the leader of a team of immortal mercenaries fighting to keep their identity a secret just as they discover an unexpected new member.
Based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, The Old Guard has stolen a march on other female- led comic book flicks Black Widow and Wonder Woman 1984 after the Covid-19 pandemic led to their summer release dates being rescheduled.
And while there’s a lot to like about director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film, it’s an example of an attention-grabbing premise surpassing the final product.
After Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde, Theron can take on this actionheavy role in her sleep and as well as going medieval on her foes with swords, guns and even an axe, you can tell the burden her weary warrior is carrying.
Her and her crew “fight for what we think is right” which leads to a few murky morals and the screenplay – penned by Rucka – finds ways to make the fate of our immortal antagonists uncertain.
Expensive and expansive locations give a Bond-like globe-trotting flavour and the flashback scenes are all superbly shot.
While she is acting as the audience’s eyes and ears, most of KiKi Layne’s Nile’s lines are questions, which quickly grates, and it’s very weird seeing Harry
Potter’s Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) as a weedy businessman baddie.
I found an allegiance switch in the third act extremely predictable and after all of the widespread travels it was a little disappointing Prince-Bythewood chose to shoot the climax in an office building’s laboratory – even though Theron and Layne kick some serious a**.
It feels like there’s a lot more story to tell and a sequel- baiting ending suggests Netflix have plans to expand this universe.
I would welcome further tales as while The Old Guard has its flaws, there’s enough awesome attributes and unresolved provocative plot strands to warrant dusting off these immortals once again.
● What are your views on The Old Guard? Is Netflix right to continue producing big-budget flicks for the smaller screen?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.