Netflix Just Ruined Their Best Action Film with The Old Guard 2
The Old Guard 2 marks a disappointing return for Netflix's immortal warriors after a five-year wait. While the sequel brings back Charlize Theron and the core cast, it fails to recapture the magic that made the original film a standout in 2020.
Plot and Characters
The sequel picks up six months after the first film, with Andy (Theron) struggling with her newfound mortality while facing two major threats. Quynh (Vân Veronica Ngô) has escaped from her underwater prison after 500 years of drowning repeatedly, seeking revenge against Andy for her perceived abandonment. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure known as Discord (Uma Thurman), revealed to be the first immortal, emerges with her own agenda against humanity.
The film introduces Tuah (Henry Golding), an immortal historian who provides exposition about the group's origins. Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) returns from exile, seeking redemption for his previous betrayal.
Performance and Direction
Charlize Theron continues to deliver a strong physical performance as Andy, though critics note she maintains a singular melancholy expression throughout. Uma Thurman's casting as Discord was highly anticipated, particularly given her action pedigree from Kill Bill, but her role proves disappointingly underwritten. The promised showdown between Theron and Thurman fails to live up to expectations, with their climactic fight shrouded in darkness and lacking the intensity fans hoped for.
Director Victoria Mahoney takes over from Gina Prince-Bythewood, bringing a different visual style that's described as "less bright and more muted." While Mahoney stages some effective action sequences, particularly an early Croatian villa infiltration and a fight between Andy and Quynh in Rome, the overall direction lacks the stylish flair of the original.
Critical Reception
The critical consensus reveals significant disappointment with the sequel. The Hollywood Reporter called it "a better-than-average original streaming feature" but noted it struggles to maintain the initial intensity throughout. IGN gave it a 6/10, describing it as "notably diminished returns" compared to the original. Screen Rant criticized the film for "wasting time setting up another sequel" rather than telling a complete story.
Variety was particularly harsh, describing the sequel as "schlock" that "takes itself inordinately seriously." Critics consistently noted that the film feels like "half a movie," with too much time spent setting up future installments rather than delivering a satisfying standalone experience.
Technical Aspects and Action
The action sequences receive mixed reviews. While some scenes, particularly the opening villa raid and the Andy-Quynh confrontation, show moments of excellence, many critics noted that Mahoney relies too heavily on shaky cam and close-up shots that obscure the choreography. The finale, set in an Indonesian nuclear facility, is criticized for being too dark to properly showcase the action.
The film's runtime of 104 minutes feels both too long and not long enough, with critics noting abrupt transitions between scenes and stilted dialogue.
Character Development Issues
One of the sequel's biggest weaknesses is its treatment of the ensemble cast. KiKi Layne's Nile, which was central to the first film, feels sidelined. The beloved relationship between Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) gets minimal screen time. Chiwetel Ejiofor's Copley is reduced to an "Alfred the Butler" role, despite the actor's considerable talent.
The film also frustratingly avoids addressing the romantic subtext between Andy and Quynh, instead "lesbian-coding" their interactions without commitment.
Audience Reception
User reviews on IMDb reveal similar disappointment, with viewers expressing frustration over the long wait for what feels like an incomplete story. Reddit discussions show fans feeling let down by the lack of character development and the film's focus on sequel setup over narrative satisfaction.
Social media reactions have been mixed, with some fans appreciating the return of familiar characters but many expressing disappointment with the execution.
Bottom Line
The Old Guard 2 suffers from sequel syndrome, prioritizing franchise building over storytelling. While it delivers adequate action and maintains the cast's chemistry, it fails to justify the five-year wait between films. The sequel's biggest sin is spending too much time setting up a third installment rather than providing a satisfying conclusion to its own story.
For fans of the original, there are moments of enjoyment, particularly in seeing the characters reunited and exploring Andy's mortality. However, the film's structural issues, underutilized cast, and anticlimactic ending make it a disappointing follow-up to what was genuinely one of Netflix's better original action films.
The film earns a 6/10 - watchable for fans of the franchise but a missed opportunity to elevate the property to new heights.
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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