Following its release on Netflix on 2/7, the film received a 30% rating from critics and a 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. On Metacritic, the film garnered a score of 46 out of 100, based on 18 reviews.

The sequel picks up after the events of the first film, with the immortal warriors, led by Andy (Charlize Theron), tasked with protecting the world from a global crisis. This installment expands the narrative by focusing on the return of Quynh (Ngo Thanh Van), a warrior imprisoned beneath the sea for centuries. Quynh escapes, seeking revenge for what she perceives as abandonment and betrayal. Meanwhile, Andy's team confronts new threats from organizations eager to exploit the secret of their immortality.

According to Collider, the overall plot is disjointed and less compelling than the original. The filmmakers delve into mythology, incorporating elements of action and time travel, but fail to fully explore these themes. Questions surrounding immortality are raised repeatedly without satisfying answers, leading to a diluted narrative.

Instead of delving into character development, the film focuses on lengthy dialogue and underwhelming confrontations. The visual effects in "The Old Guard 2" represent a step back from the first film. Many action sequences lack coherence in their visuals, lighting, and post-production.

The Times (UK) criticized the film's technical aspects, sound, and fight choreography, citing fundamental storytelling flaws. The screenplay fails to capitalize on the characters' strengths, and the portrayal of the villain, played by Uma Thurman, lacks depth. While Charlize Theron and Ngo Thanh Van demonstrate effort in the fight scenes, they are not given sufficient opportunity to make a lasting impact.

The Daily Beast wrote, "Even the least violent stretches are tedious, thanks to a plot that asks little of its cast." IndieWire commented, "‘The Old Guard 2’ has a rushed, under-explained quality to its world and motivations, making it hard to get invested in what’s actually happening." The review also noted the film's tendency to prioritize spectacle over emotional depth, a common flaw in many sequels.

Ngo Thanh Van's character in "The Old Guard 2." Photo: Netflix

"The Old Guard" is a Netflix fantasy action series based on the comic book series of the same name by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. The first film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was released in 2020. Blending action and fantasy, the film explores themes of immortality, loneliness, and the responsibility of intervening in the course of history. Its positive critical reception paved the way for a sequel.

In the original comic, Ngo Thanh Van's character is Japanese, named Noriko. However, upon accepting the role, she requested a Vietnamese name, which the production team approved. Greg Rucka, co-creator of the comic and screenwriter for the film, told Polygon: "When Veronica (Ngo Thanh Van's English name) was cast, she said ‘I’m not Japanese, I’m Vietnamese.’ The director then contacted me and said, ‘Can we change this?’ and I was completely on board. Noriko became Quynh, Quynh is now Vietnamese. We honor that."

Last year, Charlize Theron revealed to Variety that the sequel involved more demanding action sequences, requiring intense focus from the cast.

South African-American actress Charlize Theron (center) and the cast of "The Old Guard 2." Photo: Netflix

46-year-old Ngo Thanh Van, formerly a singer, transitioned into acting. She earned the nickname "da nu" (female action star) after the success of "The Rebel" (2007), co-starring Johnny Tri Nguyen. In the 2010s, she shifted to film production, with notable works like "Tam Cam: The Untold Story" and "Co Ba Sai Gon." In 2019, her self-produced and starring film, "Furie," grossed over 200 billion Vietnamese dong.

She has appeared in Hollywood films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny," "Bright," "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," and "Da 5 Bloods" under the stage name Veronica Ngo.

Cat Tien (via Collider, Variety)