Cinema’the old guard 2 ‘, like his superheroes, looks ancestral

So we have these immortals, you know? People who have been around for millennia and can heal from any injury, regenerate any determined member. Did you cut a finger? No problem! A group of these gifted and indestructible warriors came together and, led by a centenary warrior called Andromache (Charlize Theron), accept the dirtiest mercenary work – for a price. They are also part of the group Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), who fought in Napoleonic wars before joining the team; Nicky (Luca Marinellifrom Martin Eden), an Italian former Padre; and Joe (Marwan Kenzari), an Iranian former mercador. These last two, by the way, faced each other for the first time in Crusades And they passed you trying to kill each other – until they became lovers.

“Andy”, As it is called by colleagues, commands the group firmly. Even facing problems with the new recruit, Nile (Kiki Layne), an American naval market that just discovered his immortality, or trying to protect the secret of the group of Cuppley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a rined agent of the Cia, Andy It is always attentive and ensures that the work is done. They call themselves Old Guard – Did you understand the pun? -And they are the type of superpowered antiheroes worthy of epic ballads. Or comics. Or scripts that explore these comics as a potential for a profitable streaming franchise.

Who is not a fan of cards (one Guardheadmaybe?) You will need a good recap before watching The Old Guard 2newly released in Netflix. The sequence of the 2020 film starts from the principle that the audience already knows the entire history of the characters backwards. Based on the praised comic book Greg Ruckathe original movie had many hits: Theron Taking advantage of the pack of your post-post action moviesAtomicthe direction of Gina Prince-Blythewood (Beyond the limits) Balancing character development and choreographed struggle scenes, and a homoaffective novel that seemed in fact romantic – in a usually allergic genre even representations LGBTQIA+ symbolic.

The second movie has as its main trumps familiarity with the universe, a consolidated fan base – remains one of the most popular original titles of Netflixaccording to the platform itself – an extra dose of stardom with the presence of A thurmanand the simple fact that you do not need to make much effort besides pushing a button on the remote control. And only. Supported by the universe elaborated in the first movie and ending with a clear hook that the creators are cheering for a third, The Old Guard 2 It is the continuation of a story that requires the viewer to invest in these characters, concepts and situations. It is a new chapter of the saga and yet as its protagonists who have practiced the art of war since Sun Tzuthe sequence already looks old – and somewhat rusty.

Remembers Quynh (Veronica NGO), the former immortal partner of Andy That was locked in a sarcophagus and thrown into the sea, condemned to an eternal drowning life? She was found and rescued by the multifunctional villain played by A thurmanwhich meets the codename of Supervilã Discord. Remember that Andy Mysteriously lost its powers of regeneration in the middle of the first movie – what is a huge disadvantage when its main function is to be a rental warrior that cannot die? This is still a problem. Remember when Cuppley Did you decided that instead of unmasking this group of clandestine mercenaries, would you help keep your identities a secret? The former intelligence agent now collaborates with them in missions that include, for example, to beside the fortress of a crime boss in Croatia. Remember that Booker was sentenced to an exile one year after shooting Andy? He is still Persona non grata – But not for long.

In short: Discord has plans to use Quynh And it’s an eye on Nile. This caricature of omnipotent and morally bankrupt villain is actually the oldest immortal of all. “I was there, you know?” Discordstaring at something off the screen. “I still remember, the stench of hatred in the air.” Cut to: a painting of Jesus on the cross. [Palmas lentas] Discord believe that Nile It is “the last immortal to be born” and that it can be the key to killing all others. Meanwhile, an immortal librarian called Your (Henry Golding) think you know why Andy It has lost its powers-and has a theory of how it can recover them.

Theron Still send very well in the fight scenes. Thurman still knows how to handle a katana as an expert – even if it has not been forged by Hattori Hanzo. The Beija-Beija-Briga-Briga-Buriga dynamic Marinelli and Kenzari It remains charismatic, though a little underused. The new director, Victoria Mahoney (whose personal trajectory is a thousand times more interesting, exciting and engaging than anything that happens here), introduces here and there some inventive touches of direction – like a scene where Andy He walks through an alley that changes historical period with each step. Shots are fired, punches are changed, and the explosions are neat. Everyone says their lines clearly, hits their marks and the camera remains focused.

Is the uncomfortable suspicion that, although Mahoney, Therontheir castmates and the whole team are struggling to sell this story of superheroes-and, by table, a franchise that Netflix You can use to generate countless sequences, possible spin-offs, etc. – In the most professional way possible, The Old Guard 2 It’s not exactly the movie you want you to think it’s. Or rather, it’s dangerously close to not being a real movie, but just another piece of “content” that streaming stucks into the menus to manipulate your algorithm. If you were not a declared fan of Old Guard When playing in this movie, it will hardly turn off the TV by becoming a devotee. And yet, as it has all the noisy elements that we associate with blockbusters, it will probably be promoted as an absolute success. It is the oldest trick in the book.

+++ Read more: ‘The Old Guard 2’, Netflix’s action movie, will follow? Producer responds