The Old Guard Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

1. The Well-Crafted Fight Scenes

And finally, though there's certainly not enough action throughout the film, what we do get is ably delivered by rising filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood (Beyond the Lights).

Despite her lack of experience in the action arena, the director smartly covers most of the action in expansive wide shots, allowing sharply-choreographed fights to play out without excessive cuts or frustrating close-ups.

Theron in particular is given the floor to carry out some satisfyingly balletic mayhem with weapons and fists alike, such that while this is hardly on the level of, say, John Wick, the action nevertheless feels decidedly more visceral and real than your average superhero movie.