The Old Guard (2020) Review

The Old Guard 

Dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood 

Serviceable Action Flick proves Netflix can compete.

The Old Guard has been out for a few months now on Netflix. I finally got around to watching it this week as I try to get through the limited library of 2020 releases. 

Starring newly-reignited action star Charlize Theron, The Old Guard is based on a lesser-known Graphic novel run and centres around a group of immortal mercenaries. After a history of intervening in wars over the centuries, the group are betrayed and hunted, all while welcoming a new member to their immortal ranks. 

The premise is very interesting, yet the film itself never really lives up to its full potential. It’s a perfectly serviceable action film but it doesn’t exactly bring anything new to the table. The core group of characters are likeable but I never found myself overly attached to any of them. The film doesn’t reinvent the wheel with any of its action sequences, but it does use the interesting idea of regeneration and how that can change a fight scene.

However, unlike 2017's Logan the film doesn’t have an R rating, so it fails to use the potential of bloody and ridiculous fight scenes with undying combatants to its advantage. 

It’s notable that Chiwetel Ejiiofor makes an appearance, albeit brief and with little to work with in the script department. He does the best with the role he has, never being one to phone in a performance. It’s also fun to see Harry Potter alumni Harry Melling as a villainous big pharma businessman. Melling is becoming one to watch in recent times, after having a brief but memorable role in The Devil all the Time also on Netflix this year. 

The story is interesting enough and the concept helps it stand out from your usual mercenaries-on-a-mission type action movie, but it does feel slightly too long. Coming in at just over two hours, it does feel as though the film would’ve benefited from a snappier 100 minute run time instead. I also wish the film had done something original with its score rather than using so many out of place pop songs. The music doesn’t always fit well with the action on screen and slightly cheapens the whole production; making it feel more like an episode of Riverdale than a John Wick film.

There is a lot of potential in this as an action property. The film does set up well for a potential sequel, which is all too usual nowadays. However, there is a good amount that could be done with a second film. 

Personally , I think there’s a lot to be explored with the history of this universe. The small flashback sequences were some of the most interesting parts of the film. There’s limitless potential with literally hundreds of years to pluck from. I wouldn’t be against a prequel film or even perhaps a Netflix series that deepens the lore. 

All in all, The Old Guard is a fun time. It’s not a groundbreaking action film, but it’s not a bad film either. 

7/10 

Review by Elliott Thomas Griffiths