Thomas Storai 
“The Old Guard 2 is a worthy sequel. Uma Thurman and Henry Golding are great additions to the cast while Charlize Theron continues to shine as the lead.”
Five years after the release of The Old Guard, Charlize Theron and her group of immortals return for a sequel. The Old Guard 2 finally releases today worldwide on Netflix.
A WORTHY SEQUEL
Let’s just say this right away – it feels good to be back in the world of The Old Guard. The ending of the first film had us all hyped with the return of Quynh. And while we waited for five years to know what happened next, it was definitely worth it. Indeed, this is a sequel that’s actually better than the original. It takes what made the first chapter good and takes it to the next level.
While the first film centered on these immortals facing a human threat, this sequel is primarily about them and their world. In fact, all the intriguing lore about the immortals we were introduced to is further developed. What we learned in the first film is built upon in this one, giving us the full picture. This is partly what makes this sequel so captivating. There’s so much more than we thought. Moreover, the story has higher stakes, as Andy and her group face their biggest threat. This obviously comes with its share of twists and turns. These are good surprises.
Although The Old Guard 2 is a shorter sequel, it doesn’t feel like it. There’s never a dull moment. There’s always something happening, whether it’s action scenes, world-building scenes, or emotional moments between the characters. Emotional moments, this film hits harder with the feels. It’s a poignant story that happens to be even more action-packed than the first film, too.
THIS ISN’T OVER YET
This film calls for a sequel. When all is said and done, you will realize that this one is clearly the second act in a trilogy. Which is actually a good thing because this means we get to spend more time in this universe. But let’s hope we won’t have to wait another five years to see the conclusion. One or two would be better.
A GREAT CAST
Charlize Theron continues to shine as the lead. Undoubtedly, she is an action star; this type of film suits her perfectly. On top of that, Matthias Schoenaerts is once again one of the standouts of the original cast. He brilliantly plays this complex character. Furthermore, Uma Thurman and Henry Golding are great additions to this cast. They both feel right at home with the others. Whenever she appears, she owns the screen. Thurman has an imposing presence and also plays with her mysterious side. And that’s exactly the kind of presence you want for the character she plays.
VISUALS
As a sequel, the film needs to up its game, and it does. The action scenes are more intense and bigger. The fight choreographer Georgi Manchev knows what he is doing. Plus, you can’t have Uma Thurman and not give her an epic sword fight. Finally, in terms of scenery, this one also takes the characters to several places across the globe. This really makes it feel like a substantial adventure and contributes to helping with the worldbuilding.
VERDICT
The Old Guard 2 is a captivating sequel. It’s an even more action-packed film with higher stakes and good twists and turns. Uma Thurman and Henry Golding are great additions to the cast, while Charlize Theron continues to shine as the lead.
The Old Guard 2 releases today on Netflix.Â
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