The Old Guard 2
review by Bobby Blakey
Throughout her career Charlize Theron has taken on a variety of genres but my favorite is seeing her in action in flicks like Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard based on the acclaimed graphic novel from Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. Now she is returning to the immortal world with the aptly titled follow-up The Old Guard 2 starring KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Henry Golding and Uma Thurman.
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The Old Guard 2 follows Andy, and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years. Andy, Nile, Joe, Nicky and James Copley enlist the help of Tuah, an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence.
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I still have never read the comics; I still intend to eventually but revisiting the first movie I was reminded how fun it was. The idea of these immortals and the action set up a fun world to inhabit with endless possibilities. This second time around captures more of the same essence of the original as it picks up where we left off from the after-credit sequence. It’s not an overly complicated story wise but expands the world of immortals and takes them into a new direction as more secrets are revealed.
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The action once again blends martial arts, gun play and a variety of weapons including the iconic axe from the film and comic series. Much like the first film, this is the strongest aspect to the film with some well-done fight choreography that continues to elevate this franchise to something bigger than it might have
been otherwise. The pacing is a bit better this time around but still veers off course at times only to thankfully find its way back most of the time.
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Theron is great in the role as is the rest of the cast. It is great seeing Uma Thurman in this kind of role again not only getting to wield a blade once again, but to chew up the scenes like only she can. This is another worthwhile entry into the franchise that not only delivers on the action, but once again leaves it open to more installments should we be so lucky.
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Decide for yourself and check out The Old Guard 2 streaming now, as well as the original film, on Netflix.