Netflix isn’t typically known for producing original action movies, and when they do appear, they often lean toward comedy rather than intense action (like Spenser Confidential or 6 Underground). However, 2020 seemed to be Netflix's chance to surprise audiences with ruthless, bloody, and violent action. A few months prior, Extraction had become the studio’s best original action film and one of the better movies released on the streaming platform. Consequently, my expectations for The Old Guard were fairly high, considering it starred Charlize Theron and featured Greg Rucka as the sole screenwriter (one of the two creators of the original comics the film is based on). Overall, it’s a decent movie that could have been significantly better had it lived up to its potential. Initially, any film prioritizing franchise building over being a good standalone movie sets itself up for failure. Fortunately, even though Gina Prince-Bythewood's film does establish lore suitable for a series, it doesn’t make that its top priority. In fact, until the very end of the film, I was genuinely concerned that a certain plot thread wouldn't be resolved due to the "save something for the sequel" mentality. Greg Rucka clearly understood what needed to be included in the first installment of a possible franchise and what could be saved for later chapters. The story is truly captivating and mysterious, with deep and complex mythology that doesn’t offer easy answers. One of the aspects I appreciate most about Rucka's writing is how he balances an abstract and philosophical approach to immortality. It seems strange, but immortality is portrayed in a believable way despite its inherently unbelievable nature. Even logically, all the questions one might have regarding "how far can immortality extend?" are addressed in some form or another, so it’s clear that Rucka intended to make immortality feel incredibly real and grounded. Charlize Theron's character has her backstory explored thoroughly through flashbacks and a few compelling conversations with her team. Andy is an easy character for the viewer to root for, and her strength certainly helps strengthen that emotional connection. Kiki Layne was a pleasant surprise; she delivers a strong performance! I missed out on If Beale Street Could Talk, so this marks my first time seeing her in a major film role, and I’m eager to see what she does next. Her character, Nile, is also quite interesting to learn about. She faces incredibly difficult life decisions at such a young age, making her a potential rival for Andy's attention in future installments (which seem likely). I wish the script contained less forced exposition, but I do understand that explaining so many "rules" of this world without having some dedicated dialogue is challenging. Rucka and Gina could have made better narrative choices regarding certain storylines. Some sequences hold immense promise that isn't fully realized, leaving me wanting more from a particular character or subplot. The action is above average, but it’s far from the quality seen in Extraction, for example. While some of the fight scenes are well-choreographed and edited (Terilyn A. Shropshire), most rely on the generic "punch and cut quickly" style. It might seem like a minor detail, but for a rated-R film, the gunshots lacked the visual and audible impact they should have had, feeling strangely muted throughout much of the runtime. Ultimately, the action is entertaining enough to get viewers grabbing popcorn and settling in. However, two aspects significantly detract from the film. The music selection is as awkward as it could be. I’m not entirely sure if the score composers (Volker Bertelmann, Dustin O'Halloran) are at fault, but the jarring insertion of an electropop song every ten minutes, even during action sequences, disrupts the dark and somber tone and distracts from the fighting. The other issue concerns the "villain." I can’t go into specifics, but Gina and Rucka could have crafted a truly remarkable antagonist whose motivations would resonate with viewers; instead, the “I want money” motive felt simplistic. All in all, The Old Guard continues Netflix's trend of original action films featuring exciting set pieces, even though it doesn't quite reach Extraction’s level. Some sequences are well-choreographed and edited, but most feel simply generic and just fun enough. As one of the creators of the original comics, Greg Rucka delivers a screenplay brimming with intriguing lore, which is explored and established for (what should be) the first movie in a new franchise. With Gina Prince-Bythewood's direction, the main focus is on creating a good film rather than cramming in as much information as possible. Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne both deliver excellent performances as the well-developed and emotionally engaging protagonists. However, the awkward use of electropop songs throughout the entire film diminishes many moments. Considering the story centers around a moral dilemma, the villain’s money-driven motivation feels disappointing and unfulfilling, given his potential. It's an entertaining action movie, no doubt… but it held so much promise that it’s a shame it didn't reach even half of it. Rating: B-

Source on TMDB