Five years after it first took audiences by surprise, the highly anticipated sequel, The Old Guard 2, has finally hit Netflix, streaming from July 2. Fans of the original film will remember the gripping tale of immortality coupled with a relentless action narrative. This time, the story picks up just a few months after the events of the first installment, continuing the thrilling saga of Andy and her band of immortal warriors.
Charlize Theron returns as Andy, leading her team with a renewed sense of purpose. The stakes are higher than ever as they face a new mysterious threat that could jeopardize everything they’re working toward. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile following his betrayal and Quynh (Veronica NgoÌ‚) escaping her watery prison for revenge, the emotional and physical challenges are immense.
Joining the fray is Tuah (Henry Golding), a forgotten immortal and old friend of Andy’s, who may hold crucial insights into the team’s existence. Meanwhile, Uma Thurman enters the fray as the fearsome antagonist Discord, providing a fresh layer of danger and unpredictability to the narrative.
Netflix has promised an adrenaline-fuelled sequel that aligns with the narrative universe crafted by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez in their original comic books. Yet, early reviews suggest that while the film delivers thrilling action, it might not reach the iconic status of its predecessor. Critics are voicing concerns that The Old Guard 2 has fallen short of capturing the magic that made the first film a remarkable success.
On social media, some viewers have expressed their disappointment, with one viewer stating, “Old Guard 2 was so unnecessary! I slept through it.” Another echoed similar sentiments, lamenting, “I got to say, this movie doesn’t live up to the first one. It just doesn’t have that excitement or magic.”
Fans of the original film have noted continuity errors, such as the lack of dreams that immortals are supposed to share, which detracted from the overall experience for some. One dissatisfied viewer slammed the sequel’s quality, saying, “the writing is much less fun, the acting is silly… overall it feels cheap compared to the first one.”
Yet, not all feedback has been negative. Some fans found reasons to celebrate the sequel, praising the improved cinematography and engaging action sequences. A viewer commented, “The action is fun… a good movie, especially if you loved the first one.” They appreciated the deeper lore surrounding immortality and the historical weapon use that remains a staple of the series.
With mixed reviews pouring in and a cliffhanger ending that leaves fans pondering what comes next, anticipation for a potential third installment is already building. For many, The Old Guard 2 serves as a testament to the challenges of sequelcan they ever truly capture the enchantment of their predecessors? For now, it’s safe to say that while the film has sparked lively discussion, only time will tell its lasting impact on the franchise.
The Old Guard 2 is streaming on Netflix.