Rating: R | Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: July 10th, 2020 (USA)
Studio: Netflix
Director(s): Gina Prince-Bythewood
Writer(s): Greg Rucka / Greg Rucka & Leandro Fernandez (graphic novel series)

We fight for what we think is right.

Here’s a little immortal lore to spice up your familiar “leave no man behind” action narrative. You get your newbie avatar. Your cynical leader primed for a potential rejuvenation of purpose. And the merry band of wife guy men in tow.

It’s fun. Has some decent stakes. Supplies a villain even a mother could hate (if she abhors the fact his whole faux “greater good” philosophy is a paper-thin mask for sadism). And, as a counterpoint, there’s the well-meaning accomplice who’s so desperate to fulfill his dream of eradicating suffering that he blinds himself to the heinous suffering his own actions cause.

Gina Prince-Bythewood does well to weave through the tonal shifts while also keeping the action fast and unrelenting. And the great cast rapport she fosters goes a long way towards endearing us to the leads as humans above heroes. Because there’s nothing like some effective sibling-level needling and love to recruit us to their cause.

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(L to R) Kiki Layne (“Nile”), Charlize Theron (“Andy”), Luca Marinelli (“Nicky”), Marwan Kenzari (“Joe”) in THE OLD GUARD. Courtesy of Netflix/NETFLIX © 2020.