The Old Guard Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

Downs...

5. It's Trying WAY Too Hard To Build A Franchise

Like so many blockbuster movies these days, The Old Guard unfortunately puts the cart before the horse in terms of trying to sell audiences on a multi-movie franchise before even delivering a single truly good movie.

So much of the film's mythology is tied up in teases for future installments and building a "brand" that it's hard not to view the overall result as a little too cynical for its own good.

The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has obviously encouraged studios to try and milk lucrative IP for every drop they're worth, and while the prospect of a sequel to this movie is hardly horrendous, the table-setting for the second film often comes at the expense of this one.

It wouldn't surprise anyone if The Old Guard is a huge ratings hit for Netflix and gets at least a couple of sequels, yet the film's frequent franchise-baiting - especially with its predictable, sequel-teasing final scene - feels both unearned and unnecessary.