We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'

We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'.

 

When it first appeared in the 'coming soon' section on Netflix I saw that Charlize Theron and Matthias Schoenaerts were in an action film and automatically added it to my watch list. However, when I finally saw the film, there was something that didn't sit quite right with me. It's rare that I watch a film with no prior knowledge or reading up on it. I saw the trailer and nothing else so I knew what to expect in terms of the genre but no details. My first impressions are very different to my opinion now. The Old Guard is both like any other action film in the genre and something entirely new.

 

SPOILERS WARNING

 

Imagine the disappointment of watching yet another American action film and the villains, the antagonists are British. This is probably the most annoying stereotype (aside those left over for female characters) in the modern genre book.

 

The actual plot of the film is over taken by the fascinating nature of this group of immortal warriors who have been working together for decades, centuries even. A longer intro to each member of the guard would have be beneficial, maybe with flashbacks? But instead we jump right into the story. The Old Guard in modern day are a special ops team for hire working various high-profile covert missions, but they are gunned down by the CIA in an attempt to reveal their real nature. Then, while in hiding, they have a vision of a new member, Nile, a US Marine who they must find. No sooner do they pick her up and begin initiating her into her new life, the real plot takes shape. An evil tech genius what the immortals to use as guinea pigs for a new drug to battle alzheimer's disease but really he just wants to pick them apart, constantly saying they could cure the world. Of course, the guard won’t go willingly.

 

 

The mythology and history behind the characters is fascinating and most likely explored differently in the comic books, but here on film, the visual and imagination take over. The attention to detail and the loyalty to the source material is very much unlike any other comic book adaption out there. Some changes that come with bringing a comic to the screen make sense in that things won’t translate well from the page but some are pointlessly changed, however ‘The Old Guard’ only seems to have change a few things, but the biggest being Andy losing her ability to heal again. It makes sense within the story and gives a decent explanation for Nile’s appearance and excuse for Andy to realise her humanity again. Realise instead of discover as she has doesn’t need to find it again, she just needs to realise why she is the way she is.

 

Discovering that the film was a comic book adaptation and that it was a very faithful one, changed the perspective of the film. It was not a stereotypical action film, as everything that happens, how the characters are presented, this is all part of the story and not a genre check list, which makes it’s more difficult to be satisfied with the way Nile and Andy are portrayed, especially Andy. She is the leader, but she’s the leader of a group consisting of all men and she herself blends into this all-male group. Her haircut, her clothes, her stance are all very masculine. If this wasn’t an action film, this wouldn’t feel like such an issue but because it is, it feels as if Andy is only accepted into this group because she exudes masculine qualities. Who do the women in action films always have to be this way? Having Nile join the group, she is just like Andy, except new to the whole immortal life, but she also exudes masculine qualities, but only once she’s joined the group. The fact that these are who and what the characters are like in the comic, there is praise for the accuracy and staying true to the original natures but I can’t help but think that ALL action films follow this trait in female characters, even the ones who wear dresses and high heels while they fight. The idea that a woman must be masculine to fit into the genre norm is something that really needs to change. But we must take solace in the fact that two of the main characters in this action film are women and even better, neither is involved in a side romance plot with a man. That’s progress.

 

Refreshing representation that is an integral part of the film is the love story between guard members Joe and Nicky, Yusuf Al-Kaysani, a Muslim warrior and Nicoló di Genova, a former Crusader. They are the heart of the group and something to hope for. Joe’s speech in response to their captors asking if Nicky is his boyfriend is over the top and out of the blue but is one of the best moments in the film as even Nicky looks stunned by this declaration of love. Having a gay couple as two of the central and main characters in an action film is a huge leap and it’s about time too.

 

Upon a second look at the film, there is far more to celebrate than worry about in terms of tired genre tropes, this is a step in the right direction as well as the director herself, Gina Prince-Bythewood, lets hope we see more films from her. The only part of the film that I really think could be reworked was that darn soundtrack. Amazing fight scenes, terrible music choices.