The Old Guard 2is one of Netflix’s most recent action spectacles, continuing from the platform’s successful 2020 movie of the same name. AlthoughThe Old Guard 2hasn’t done great with critics, the film still features plenty of exciting action sequences that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
As with the first installment, the new movie follows a group of immortal warriors, led by Charlize Theron’s Andy, as they fight to protect humanity from the shadows. The sequel introduces a scheming new villain and returning figure from Andy’s past.
Whether it’s sprawling set pieces that follow multiple perspectives, or one-on-one duels that manage to push the story forward with intense, action-driven character work,The Old Guard 2has plenty to enjoy.Uma Thurman’s role inThe Old Guard 2also helps introduce some exciting new dynamics, driving the story forward with even more fights and conflicts.
9Discord & Quynh Infiltrate The Indonesian Nuclear Facility
The Old Guard 2’s briefest action sequence, Discord and Quynh’s break-in to the nuclear facility in Jakarta, doesn’t particularly stand out among some of the movie’s more action-packed and tightly choreographed moments.The sequence follows the two antagonistsas they shoot a few henchmen and force their way into the building.
While it’s probably a good thing thatThe Old Guard 2doesn’t waste too much time on this moment, since there are so many other important action scenes, it admittedly leaves the whole sequence feeling a little empty.Some more teamwork between Discord and Quynh could have been very effectivein building their dynamic before the latter’s defection inThe Old Guard 2’s ending.
8Nile Spars With Booker & Tuah
DespiteThe Old Guard 2’s poor critical reception, one thing that this action sequel does very well isexpand the lore and background of these charactersin meaningful, unexpected ways. For example, the introduction of the “final immortal” and Booker’s exploitation of Nile’s powers to sacrifice himself for Andy is executed in a really compelling way.
Booker’s plan first begins during this sparring session with Nile and Tuah, where he intentionally lets the young recruit wound him to get rid of his healing powers and give them to Andy. Whilethe choreography and camerawork in this scene are strong by themselves, it’s this hidden knowledge of Booker’s true intentions that really elevates the scene.
7Nicky & Joe’s Car Chase
Certainly one ofThe Old Guard 2’s most expensive action sequences, the car chase between Nicky, Joe, and their motorcyclist pursuers is one of the film’s earliest and most memorable scenes. After escaping from the compound where the movie kicks off,the two immortals get cut off by a swarm of dangerous motorcyclistsas they veer across winding cliffside roads.
This sequence marks Nicky and Joe’s first major scene inThe Old Guard 2, coming off the couple becoming fan-favorite characters after the first film. Their dynamic is such a fun and compelling one to observe, and their compassionate humor really shines in this sequence. IfThe Old Guard 2does end up getting a sequel, they should definitely be at the heart of it.
The Old Guard 2opens with an intense fight scene that sets the tone for the rest of the film. Although the audience doesn’t initially have much context on what’s going on, it soon becomes clear thatAndy and her team of immortal mercenaries are carrying out a raidon a compound housing illegal weapons owned by a target named Konrad.
Although this fight scene doesn’t directly contribute much toThe Old Guard 2’s overall story, it’s a fun way of reminding viewers exactly how skilled these characters can beas fighters. Whether that’s Andy and Copley’s intricate gunwork or Nile’s well-timed window swing, there are plenty of engaging stunts here that immediately hook the audience.
5Nile Accidentally Takes Quynh’s Immortality
There are several individual fight sequences duringThe Old Guard 2’s climax in the nuclear facility, including one tense moment between Nile and Quynh. The movie has clearly established these characters astwo of the most powerful immortals there are, so watching them duel so fiercely was bound to be fun.
Although Nile’s duel with Quynh doesn’t last that long, the reason it’s so effective is ultimately because they’re both being manipulated by Discord, but neither of them realizes it. This gives their fight a very interesting dynamic; Andy’s newest, most powerful recruit is pitted against her oldest, most reliable friend. Reviews ofThe Old Guard 2have been admittedly mixed, but moments like these deserve praise.
4The Immortals Break Into The Nuclear Facility
The immortals’ arrival at the nuclear facility in Jakarta sparks another sprawling action sequence that follows multiple characters, as the group inevitably have to split up and find their own routes through the building.Discord’s men seem to be at every turn, and the sheer amount of hand-to-hand combat and controlled gunwork is very impressive to watch.
Although some viewers may favor the more personal, intimate duels that contribute to much ofThe Old Guard 2’s character work, larger set pieces like this also serve a clear purpose in displaying how effectively this team works together. There’s a reason they’ve stuck with each other for so many centuries, and that experience is really demonstrated here.
3Andy Reunites With Quynh
One of those aforementioned duels takes place between Andy and Quynh, two characters who were once the best of friends but have since been separated by half a century of betrayal and suffering. It’s revealed in the first movie thatQuynh was trapped inside an iron maiden and thrown into the ocean over 500 years ago, and Andy blames herself.
As it turns out, Quynh blames Andy too. Their reunion after Discord frees Quynh from her deep-sea prison is an extremely frosty one, and the old friends even get into a brutal fist fight on the backstreets of Rome. Although it’s another brief action sequence,it features some ofThe Old Guard 2’s most dynamic cameraworkand fight choreography.
2Andy vs Discord
The Old Guard 2’s showdown between Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman is what the entire story builds towards, and the two actors finally get to have it out in the final moments of the film. This also happens to beone of the movie’s most violent scenes, as Discord certainly doesn’t hold back when fighting with Andy.
Although much ofThe Old Guard 2’s writing can feel flimsy and underdeveloped at times, the stakes are made very clear during this final duel: Andy isn’t just fighting to protect herself, or kill Discord, but also to save her friends from being robbed of their immortality. It’s a fun twist on the typical formula, and it neatly sets the stage forThe Old Guard 3.
1Booker Sacrifices Himself For Andy
The immortality twist inThe Old Guard 2adds a fresh, compelling element to the story’s otherwise familiar formula, and Booker plays a key role in this subplot. He’s one of the only characters who knows exactly what it means for Nile to be the final immortal, and he uses this to his advantage to redeem himself for the suffering he caused in the first movie.
By locking the door and protecting Andy from the oncoming swarm of armed henchmen, Booker gives himself a well-earned hero’s death and offers his life in exchange for his friend’s immortality. This transfer ultimately proves successful, and without it, Andy likely would have died at the end ofThe Old Guard 2,making Booker the real hero of the movie.
