Netflix’s The Old Guard shows us that it doesn’t always have to be a spectacle. No spoilers, guys!
Hello everybody! Today, we are going to look at Netflix’s latest action/comic book movie The Old Guard. We are also going to discuss the upside of scaled-down superhero movies, and who could benefit from this type of format. Let’s do it!
A Little About The Movie
The Old Guard is based on a comic by writer Greg Rucka and artist Leonardo Fernandez. Published in 2017, it’s a young comic published by Image Comics. Before I get into the plot, allow me to say that I’m only discussing the plot of the movie. I’ve not read the comics.
The story centers around Andromache of Scythia, also known as Andy (played by Charlize Theron). Andy and her soldiers are warriors who cannot die. The team tries to remain anonymous while fighting for what they deem are just causes.
During their most recent conflict, they’re betrayed by former CIA agent Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor). While persuing Copley, they learn that there’s another immortal. A young Marine named Nile (Kiki Layne) just awakened to her immortality. The team decides that they need to take her under their wing.
So, Andy and crew have a new immortal to acclimate, a guy that betrayed them, and some unknown force after them.
More Grit…Less Sparkly Things
One thing I really liked about The Old Guard is that it leaned heavier on the action and intrigue and less on the actual immortal part of it. If you ever watched Jack Ryan, it was kind of like that..but with immortals.
You sort of experience the same thing in HBO’s Watchmen and The Dark Knight. You know that these are extraordinary people. So, you’re not inundated with a whole bunch of CGI to prove that fact. It’s as if the creators understood that this isn’t the type of story that will benefit from all of those special effects.
You know which movie should’ve gotten this treatment? Suicide Squad. If the creators would’ve cut down on the spectacle and given us a strong story, it could’ve been great. It already had a decent cast and a fantastic soundtrack, but the movie was trying to do so much, that it did absolutely nothing.
One Small Issue
I really enjoyed the movie…for the most part. But, there were times that the writing felt a little pedestrian. The one scene that comes to mind is when Copley is showing Nile some of his research. Basically, they’re discussing Andy’s impact on history throughout the years. This moment felt a bit corny. I get the significance of the scene, I just don’t know if I agree with how the scene, and other scenes, are written.
Overall
I liked the movie. Charlize Theron makes a fantastic Andy. She gives you badass, but still vulnerable. Like I previously mentioned, the writing can feel a bit hack-y at times, but it’s not so much that it makes the movie unwatchable. The ending of the movie leaves an opening for a sequel, but it may be a while before that happens. For now, watch the current story and tell me what you think!
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for The Old Guard. Today on Couch and Chill, I’ll give you my thoughts on The God of High School episode 2. Later this week, there’s more Food Wars and episode 1 of Gibiate. Next time here on Couch Cruisin, I’m going to bring you a list of my favorite black YouTube content creators. I will see you later!
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