THE OLD GUARD New Spins on Super Heroes Starring Charlize Theron and Int'l Cast

THE OLD GUARD is in the superhero, action genre but it generates a lot more interests than merely resting on shoot em up, take em down fight scenes (which are choreographed brilliantly).  Dir Gina Prince-Bythewood (b Amer. 1969) assembles an international cast of stellar actors.  The main heroine Andy (the beautiful and talented Charlize) is literally an old soul who stitches together a team of immortal warriors who survive anything.  Prince-Bythewood ("Love & Basketball) revives a graphic novel into a super hero movie that turns into something with a little more staying power with the power to please those who may say no thanks to the genre in general.  The contemporary setting travels back in time and to numerous countries including Afghanistan, Morocco and France with a fearsome foursome of fighters.  The heroes are portrayed by actors from S. Africa, Italy, Netherland, Italy, Norway, UK and the good ole USA.  The unflappable four have evolved overtime; losing a few when it's their time.  They become a quintet with a new un-recruited Afghanistan vet Nile (a kick-ass Kiki Layne from the under appreciated "If Beale Street Could Talk").  Nile survives what should have been a fatal slash to throat without a trace or a nick.  Her army buddies know somethings eerily amiss and keep Nile at bay.  In swoops Andy (hooray!) and takes Nile away amidst an army of vets with no sweat.  Nile has lots of questions which is understandable but the reasons are unfathomable.  So, just move on, carry on and do the right thing.  Andy questions whether their group has done anything to help make the world better when it seems that things keep getting worse.  Still, they must try.  Andy makes an error in judgement falling in with a deceptive bad guy, James (Chiwetel Ejiofor).  James lures them into a snare for the sinister pharmaceutical maverick of Merrick, Steve (Harry Melling).  Steve wants the superheroes to study their DNA and so on in order to create the eternal fountain of youth. (I'll bet there are plenty willing to pay a pretty penny.)   Two fall into the evil lair.  Nic & Joe are held hostage.  They are a loving homosexual couple. This is an added element to the bad ass pastiche that adds panache.  There's also the profundity to ponder what it means to live forever.  There's more than meets the eye than mere eye candy and a biff, bam, boom, stomp romp caper.  I enjoyed THE OLD GUARD once I let down my erudite guard and found more than I bargained for.  So as not worry, THE OLD GUARD is set for a sequel that I look forward to with zealous anticipation.