PLOT: A group of centuries-old warriors are targeted by a pharmaceutical magnate, who wants to dissect them to harness the key to their immortality.
REVIEW: Thank God for Netflix. With the hopes of any planned for 2020 blockbusters hitting screens anytime soon getting dimmer by the day, the Netflix model of putting out $100 million-tentpole level action flicks direct to streaming, which was mocked a few years ago, has been a lifeline for action fans. First, they had EXTRACTION and now comes THE OLD GUARD, a silly but entertaining hoped-for franchise-starter that should be a big hit for them.
Based on a well-received comic by Greg Rucka (who also penned the screenplay), in some ways this feels like a FAST & FURIOUS movie or Netflix's own 6 UNDERGROUND crossed with HIGHLANDER. It's not especially original, but it makes for a rock-solid action vehicle for Charlize Theron. Here she plays Andromache of Scythia aka Andy, a warrior who's been a gun for hire for thousands of years, but yearns for an end to her immortality. She's part of a crew of immortals including former Crusaders Luca Marinelli & Marwan Kenzari as Nicky and Joe, a couple who've managed to hold onto their ideals over the centuries, while Matthias Schoenaerts, as Booker, is a former Napoleonic soldier who, like Andy, is ready for it all to stop.
Basically, the meat of the plot is that Andy and her crew are hired by a shady ex-CIA guy (Chiwetel Ejiofor) for a seemingly noble mission, only to be set up by a big pharma guy (HARRY POTTER's Harry Melling) who wants the secret of their immortality. Meanwhile, a soldier (Kiki Layne) proves to be the latest in their line of randomly selected warriors and becomes a reluctant recruit. If it sounds like I'm giving the whole movie away, don't fret. This all happens in the first twenty minutes. THE OLD GUARD wastes no time setting things up, but there's enough plot in the first act for two movies.
The important thing is that THE OLD GUARD is a lot of fun. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who had a hit with BEYOND THE LIGHTS, the film is much less bloated than other Netflix blockbusters, running a lean two hours. It's loaded with well-choreographed action that, while not reaching the heights of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD or ATOMIC BLONDE, makes a strong case for Charlize Theron being the action heroine of the moment. It's loaded with hand-to-hand scraps and gun-fights, while also allowing Theron to swing around some ancient weapons when things get crazy. While boasting a strong ensemble, this is Theron's show, with her having the lion's share of the action – although Marwan Kenzari probably gets the best 1:1 fight when he takes on Melling's main henchman.
Many of Prince Bythewood''s movies have been music-driven, and she brings that aesthetic to some of the action scenes, with more pop songs than legit score than expected, but it works as it gives the film a unique flavor. Meanwhile, Ejiofor, while somewhat wasted, brings more heart and conflict to his ostensibly heroic character than you'd expect, while Schoenaerts plays well opposite Theron and has arguably the most intriguing arc. Kiki Layne, who was very impressive in IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, is likable as the crew's newest recruit, who's reticent to take any lives and can't wrap her head around the fact that she may not die for centuries.
My only real issue is that there's no sense of threat. The good guys are so indestructible that you never really worry about them being in jeopardy. Melling, who was great in the Coen Bros' THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, plays little more than a sniveling weasel. Some kind of vulnerability should have been found, with the only MacGuffin being that at some point their powers will run out and they'll stop being resurrected, although it's supposed to take thousands of years. Their only fear is being forcibly confined, with one blood-curdling sequence showing how a former comrade of theirs ended up being imprisoned for centuries thanks to some diabolical puritans.
THE OLD GUARD feels all but certain to be the launching point for a new Netflix franchise, and sure enough, there are enough threads left open at the end to make a follow-up all but a given. While not especially original, it's a well-directed and well-acted action flick that'll give viewers the big-budget thrills they've been lacking on the big screen. It's a lot of fun.