Movie Review: The Old Guard (2020)

Genre: Superhero Action  

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood  
Starring: Charlize Theron, Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor  

Running Time: 125 minutes  

Synopsis: Andy (Charlize Theron) leads a secretive small group of immortals including Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe, and Nick, as they travel the world attempting to do good. After escaping an ambush organized by ex-CIA operative Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the immortals sense the presence of a new member, US Marine Nile (KiKi Layne). Andy recruits her into the group as they pursue revenge on Copley, but he is part of a larger conspiracy involving pharmaceutical CEO Merrick (Harry Melling).

What Works Well: The adaptation of a comic book series boasts sparking globe-trotting production values, Charlize Theron in a fully committed kick-ass mode, and expertly choreographed combat scenes. The quiet interludes feature welcome attempts to humanize the characters with back-stories. 

What Does Not Work As Well: Superhero concepts eliminate jeopardy at the best of times, and here the immortals are bullet sponges (with wildly variable recovery times from bullet impacts), casting no doubt on the outcome of any battle. They can be captured (their worst nightmare) to suit the whims of the plot, but the reflections on loneliness across the centuries are samey across the group. The one key double-cross plot twist is inconsistent with the narrative fundamentals, and the pharmaceutical ultra-villain is unfortunately of the unhinged cartoonish variety.

Key Quote:

Booker (about Andy): That woman has forgotten more ways to kill than entire armies will ever learn.

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