Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Charlize Theron, Harry Melling and Chiiwetel Ejiofor
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Charlize Theron. Ever since her rising recognition in the 1990’s, Theron has made memorable movies. Whether it’s furious road warriors, muscular heroes or serial killers, Theron has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Theron’s best strength as an actress has always been her strong screen presence. She is one of those rare actresses which has always had a strong screen presence that has elevated every movie. Even when she isn’t the central focus of a movie, Theron has often left a strong impression. Through her capabilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Theron has built a legacy that’s lasting. While she is most well known for her role as Furiosa in the Mad Max franchise, Theron has proven she can excel in every genre. Throughout her career, Theron has made several memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Theron and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “The Old Guard” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2020, Gina Prince-Blythewood’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking action, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it is one of the finest action movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Charlize Theron, who portrays a female assassin that’s driven to achieve life-threatening mission. Ultimately, what makes “The Old Guard” an action classic is universal appeal. Unlike most action films, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating classic, there are many strong reasons why “The Old Guard” is a film worth watching.
“The Old Guard” tells the story of an assassin embarking on a dangerous mission on guard. Charlize Theron plays Andy, a strong female assassin that seeks to accomplish an intense mission. Andy has always excelled at doing her job of committing murders that cause tension. However, Andy’s life forever changed when she discovers tense consequences of a profession that causes disaster. Assisted by a newfound companion Merrick (Harry Melling), Andy goes on a mission to complete a mission that proves tragic. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Andy soon begins to wonder whether it is possible to complete a mission which places lives in danger. Questioning her place in a grim profession, Andy begins to wonder whether it is possible to achieve the goals she seeks with determination.
Gina Prince-Bythewood is a newcomer toward stories of spies. A fantastic black filmmaker, Prince-Bythewood is known for making great movies about African Americans that endure tragedy. With “The Old Guard”, however, the filmmaker made her first espionage movie. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by spies enduring tragedies, but she succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Prince-Bythewood captures a spy embarking on a mission to discover her identity. Emulating Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, Prince-Bythewood uses captivating montages to capture the hardship that con-artists are facing. For instance, the montages enhance the training scene. During this intense scene, Andy engages in a training session seeking to prepare for a mission which is frightening. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in films. As Chris Columbus’ “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” claimed, montages enhance adaptations of legendary fantasy books. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Prince-Bythewood captures the tensions assassins are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Old Guard” that merits appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Emulating The Wachowski’s “The Matrix”, Prince-Bythewood uses slow-motion to stage action sequences that are engaging. For instance, slow-motion elevates the spies scene. During this unforgettable scene, Andy faces tension seeking to battle assassins in a tense situation. Through slow-motion, Prince-Bythewood creates a portrait of spies which audiences can easily relate to. Slow-motion is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” suggested, slow-motion elevates comic-book movies. However, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Dustin O’Halloran’s commemorated music is key to the success of the film. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that spies embarking on a dangerous mission bear. Through powerful production, Prince-Bythewood captures commemorated spies embarking on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Old Guard” is an action movie which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture tensions that spies are facing. For instance, flashbacks elevate the childhood memories scene. During this intense scene, Andy recalls frightening memories of her childhood trauma that shaped her identity. Through flashbacks, Prince-Bythewood captures the tensions that spies go through. Flashbacks are often tricky to use in movies. As George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” suggested, flashbacks often enhance movies about furious road warriors. Antonio Campos’ “The Devil All the Time” did suggest that flashbacks enhance films about religious violence. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a breathtaking screenplay, Prince-Bythewood captures tensions spies are facing.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Charlize Theron delivers one of her best career performances as Andy. Theron first achieved appreciation for playing serial killers in crime dramas. With “The Old Guard”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an assassin embarking upon a journey to discover identity but she succeeded. This is the actress unlike you have seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. With riveting expressions, Theron captures the angst, desperation and grief of a female assassin embarking on a mission. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actresses working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Theron, the supporting cast is also terrific and worthy of appreciation. Harry Melling is magnificent, bringing tension to an assassin seeking to achieve a dangerous mission that’s terrifying. Chiwetel Ejiofor is captivating, and captures the bravery of a spy seeking to save the world from grave danger. Lastly, Matthias Schoenaerts merits appreciation. As a political leader, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Old Guard” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing heroic spies which guard. Unlike most movies about assassins, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identities, espionage and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the profession of espionage to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Old Guard” is one of those rare action movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Charlize Theron will definitely enjoy “The Old Guard” and so will audiences which seek exhilarating entertainment. An engaging action blockbuster, it honours an actress that audiences treasure.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about dedicated spies embarking on missions that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy through her abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 