Film Review: The Old Guard Proves Black Girl Magic is a Super Power
Gina Prince-Bythewood is one of the greatest storytellers of our generation. The filmmaker proves that black women can make compelling, well-made, and most notably profitable films when given the opportunity. Sure, she does not make as many films as her white or male contemporaries, but when these films come out, they soar. Timeless and memorable, these films successfully capture the human experience. And with several indie films grossing over $20 million worldwide under her name, it is not surprising to see Prince-Bythewood break more barriers as she becomes the first black woman to helm a superhero film.
Based on the Image Comics graphic novel, The Old Guard follows a ragtag team of immortal warriors led by ax-wielding heroine Andy, a.k.a. Andromache of Scythia (Charlize Theron). Along with French soldier Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) and religious enemies now lovers Joe and Nicky (Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli), this team of mercenaries fight to save humanity from their endless bloody wars. Though these soldiers existed for countless centuries, Andy successfully kept her team's identities under the radar until now.
The team's identities are compromised when one of their clients, an ex CIA agent (Chiwetel Ejiofor), sells them out to merciless pharmaceutical CEO, Steven Merrick (Harry Melling). To make matters more complicated, a United States Marine named Nile Freeman (KiKi Layne) unexpectedly becomes an immortal while on a mission in Afghanistan. Now Andy has to find and train the recruit while on the run from the man who wants to use her team's immortality for ill.
The story is relatively predictable, it is a superhero flick after all, but Prince-Bythewood's direction makes the tale a fun ride. Every scene looks stylish and slick, like a more energized, less depressing, Bourne Identity film. And though the action sequences are a blast to watch, it is the small character moments that sell the film. Watching the camera zoom into Theron's confused face as she gets medical assistance from a store clerk, is small but notable. If anything, these scenes, which Prince-Bythewood is known for, make the film feel rooted in reality. Moreover, the flashback sequences help tell the backstories of the immortal warriors without slowing the story down. Typically these types of scenes are hokey in most films, but Prince-Bythewood knows how to utilize flashbacks successfully.
And speaking of Theron, if Atomic Blonde does not convince you that the actor is a great action star, this film will. A lesser actor might make Andy cold and ruthless, which she is at times, but Theron makes the character feel truly dimensional. With Theron's performance, you can easily relate to Andy's desire to protect her soldiers. Layne also proves that she is an actor with a ton of range. Known for her dramatic roles in films such as If Beale Street Could Talk, Layne brings sensitivity and bravado to her role as ex-marine turned immortal warrior. And thanks to Layne and Theron's effortless chemistry, their role as mentor and mentee is fun to watch. Additionally, the other actors make the warrior team feel like a family. One might think these people have known each other for years, I mean, centuries.
But the one thing that sets this film apart from its brethren is its commitment to diversity. Watching people from various underrepresented groups kick butt while looking great is aspirational. With the film's addition of queer folks, women of color, and a white French man – okay, the French man might be a stretch – this film proves that inclusion in media matters. And by having people from diverse backgrounds in front and behind the camera, these characters come less off as walking stereotypes and more like real human beings. If there is one film that passes the Bechdel Test, and its racial equivalent the DuVernay Test, it is The Old Guard.
Once again, Prince-Bythewood proves that black women can do anything, including directing a great action film for Netflix. With its slick look, diverse casting, and bombastic action sequences, The Old Guard has the potential to be a great superhero franchise.
