Uma Thurman steals the show in Netflix's ambitious but uneven sequel, The Old Guard 2 Review.

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There's no doubt that The Old Guard 2 gives fans exactly what they loved about the first movie: violence that breaks bones, immortal warriors with hundreds of years of shared history, and Charlize Theron's Andy frowning her way through another assignment. But what shocked me most about this sequel was how completely Uma Thurman's Discord takes over every scene she's in. She brings a wonderfully crazy energy that makes me wish she'd been in this film from the beginning.

The Old Guard 2 picks up years after the first movie. Andy has to deal with her new mortality while Quynh (Veronica Ngô) plans revenge. The emotional foundation is still powerful, notably between Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), but Thurman gives this sequel the spark it needs. Her presence at the 45-minute point pushes the movie into high speed, but I can't help but think that filmmaker Victoria Mahoney squandered chances to go further into Discord's long history.

The best and worst thing in the sequel is Uma Thurman's Discord.

This is what happens when you hire an icon and don't do much with her.

Thurman's acting is the perfect mix of humor and conviction; she delivers sharp one-liners with the same energy that she applies to the horrific combat scenes. When Discord talks about seeing empires crumble, there's a really interesting moment. I wanted to read a whole prelude about her crazy voyage through history. Sadly, the script just gives her enough to hint at deeper things without really going into them.

It's especially annoying since Thurman understands this persona so well. You can feel the wasted potential of what could have been with better writing when you see her fight Theron in their last scene together, two action stars finally sharing the screen. Discord's reasons for doing things are still frustratingly unclear, and the end of her story feels rushed because the plot is so full.

The Returning Cast Struggles with Bad Storytelling

These fake marital problems aren't good enough for Joe and Nicky's love narrative.

The Old Guard 2 does a good job of focusing on the lovely, centuries-long romance between Joe and Nicky, but it makes it hard to believe that there is friction between them when their relationship should be the emotional center of the movie. Kenzari and Marinelli make every moment feel real and sad, but their subplot about trust difficulties seems like superfluous drama only to give them "arcs."

Kiki Layne's Nile is still the franchise's best-kept secret. Her wide-eyed newness is still the finest way for us to get into this world. Some of the most emotionally fulfilling parts of the movie are when she trains with Andy. Henry Golding, on the other hand, gives Tuah an unexpected sense of vulnerability, even if his character's only goal seems to be to build up a possible third movie.

Action Scenes Just About Save The Day

At least the fights are good when the plot isn't.

The action choreography in The Old Guard 2 is definitely one of its best parts. The nonstop fight between Nile, Joe, and Nicky in an apartment is one of the most imaginative fight sequences in a long time. It combines hand-to-hand combat with creative damage of the environment. The movie's famous "immortals healing from brutal wounds" theme goes to new levels, especially in a gruesome scene with Discord and a medieval torture device.

But even here, the sequel doesn't do as well as the first one. Gina Prince-Bythewood's direction in the previous movie made every action scene feel important, while Mahoney's style is more about show. A climactic fight that should be spectacular instead feels like a lot of noise and turmoil, but Theron and Thurman's strong performances redeem it.

Is The Old Guard 2 the start of a franchise?

The scene after the credits hints at major things to come, but I'm not sure.

The last few scenes of the movie set up a bigger Old Guard universe that, to be honest, sounds more interesting than the drama we just saw. Without giving away too much, adding additional mythological aspects could finally give the franchise the unique personality it's been missing. It's possible that Netflix will decide whether to make a third movie based on how well this sequel does after a long wait.

In the end, the cast's charm and a few great action scenes redeem The Old Guard 2. Theron is still the perfect pick for the tired warrior, and Thurman's appearance shows what this franchise could be if it took more risks with its creative decisions. There's enough here to please fans, especially if you walk in expecting style over substance, even though it doesn't fully justify its presence.

You may now watch The Old Guard 2 on Netflix.

The cast