Top 10 Best Moments From The Old Guard
Top 10 Moments from “The Old Guard”
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It’s like “Highlander,” except there can be more than just one! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Moments from “The Old Guard.” For this list, we’ll be looking at best and most badass moments from this action film streaming on Netflix. In case you haven’t checked it out yet, this is your spoiler alert.
#10: The Ambush
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With Joe and Nicky missing, Andy slaps a badly injured Booker back into consciousness. Knowing that Copley’s men aren’t done yet, she heads out to deal with them single-handedly. Ruelle’s “The World We’ve Made” sets an exhilarating tone for the ensuing ambush, as Andy drops in on the unsuspecting assailants. Everywhere she turns, somebody is charging or shooting at her. Yet, Andy maintains leverage throughout with a brilliant mix of gunplay and swordplay. It’s a feat of choreography that rivals that of “John Wick” and “The Matrix.” Upon receiving a not-so-subtle signal, Nile begins to comprehend what Andy is capable of, looking over her merciless handiwork. Who needs an army when you have a one-woman army?
#9: Baklava Tasting
An action sequence doesn’t mean anything if you don’t care about the people involved. Before guns begin blazing, the characters here come together in a short yet sweet scene that speaks volumes about their friendship. When Joe gives Andy some baklava as a present, the guys bet on whether she can guess where it’s from. Able to detect each ingredient, Andy accurately deduces the precise provenance. Without hitting us over the head with exposition, this scene exemplifies the camaraderie this team shares. It also establishes that Andy has a lot of real-world experience, which stretches back further than we initially realize. In another character-driven moment, we visit Andy’s old hideout and learn about her biblical relationship with Rodin. This woman has lived several full lives.
#8: Quynh’s Story
Some fates are worse than death and Quynh’s backstory is a heartbreaking example. Nile’s nightmare turns out to be the terrifying memories of a fallen immortal. In a flashback reminiscent of old-school sword and sorcery movies like “Conan the Barbarian,” we learn about Quynh and Andy’s time together. Accused of witchcraft, Quynh and Andy endure unspeakable torture, but they take solace in knowing that they still have each other. That comforting sentiment is eradicated when Quynh gets pulled away from Andy and locked in an iron maiden. Dropped into the sea, Quynh is forced to drown repeatedly, losing her mind as the centuries pass by. This sequence is like something out of a gothic horror story, leaving us all with a sinking feeling.
#7: Nile’s Story
One of the film’s many great character introductions, we first meet Nile while she’s serving in Afghanistan. Through a couple of nice interactions with some local kids and women, we can tell that Nile is a respectful marine who wants to maintain peace rather than assert authority. Even when she’s given no choice but to shoot her target, Nile makes an effort to bring him back alive. The target has a concealed knife on him, however, slitting Nile’s throat. The next thing Nile knows, she wakes up in a medic tent alive and confused. Although Nile survives, her life as she knew it is over. Seeing her inexplicable recovery, the other soldiers turn their backs on Nile, but a new family is waiting for her.
#6: Nile’s Solo Stand
Convinced that she’ll never see the other immortals again, Nile turns back when she notices that her gun is empty. Piecing together that Andy’s walking into a trap, she sets out on a daring solo mission with a little assistance from Copley. We can’t help but get pumped as Nile rides up in an elevator, preparing herself to either come out on top or go down fighting. When she arrives on the fifteenth floor, Nile takes three goons by surprise with more forces on the way. The lab becomes a war zone with glass shattering everywhere, but Nile narrowly makes it to her friends. In this empowering moment, Nile officially becomes part of the team while also coming into her own as an immortal soldier.
#5: The Final Fight
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Another testament to their camaraderie, the gang doesn’t leave Booker behind even after he betrays them. Although she can no longer self-heal, Andy is determined for them all to walk out together. The rousing climax is indeed a group effort with all five immortals getting their fair share of cool moments, from Andy’s hallway fight with a minion to Joe settling the score with Keane. The most applause-worthy moment boils down to a standoff against Dudley Dursley - er, we mean Steven Merrick. Armed with a gun and smelting stick - er, we mean battleax, Merrick corners Andy and Nile. Luckily for them, he doesn’t speak Russian. Fooling Merrick with the old playing dead trick, Nile takes him all the way down in triumphant and gnarly fashion.
#4: The Team’s Purpose
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The immortals have saved countless lives over the centuries, but even they don’t realize the full extent of their impact. Saving just one person means saving their entire bloodline. It’s revealed that the descendants of those they helped went on to make the world a more enriching place. In a touching finale, the team sees just how much good they’ve done while looking over Copley’s vast collection of data - which is apparently just the tip of the iceberg. With a newfound sense of purpose, the team concurs that there’s a lot more they can do with Copley’s resources. Andy is ready to get back to work, immortal or not. Even if her time does come soon, Nile will keep what she fought for alive.
#3: Immortal Love
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Action movies could definitely use more LGBTQ+ representation and hopefully this romantic scene will get the ball rolling. The audience can tell that Joe and Nicky are destined for each other simply based on a wink that one sends the other. “The Old Guard” digs much deeper than that small gesture, giving us a fleshed-out same-sex relationship that’s rarely seen in the superhero genre. When Joe expresses concern for a wounded Nicky, a soldier mockingly asks him if he’s his boyfriend, only to be promptly SCHOOLED. Joe delivers a monologue so adoring that it can only be described as love in its purest form. Nicky is so touched by Joe’s epic declaration of love that they kiss passionately, even while imprisoned.
#2: The “Rescue Mission”
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Ten minutes in, the audience may assume that they’re watching a traditional action flick about a group of mercenaries. “The Old Guard” catches its viewers off guard, however, when the heroes are cornered by a hoard of soldiers. The rescue mission they signed on for was a setup and the team is riddled with too many bullets to count. At this moment, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Gee, this is going to be a short movie.” Things are just heating up, though, as the team’s wounds miraculously heal and they spring back to life. By the time the soldiers realize what’s happening, they’re already dead. This heart-pounding action sequence was an ingenious way to establish the main characters’ immortality, showing - and shooting - rather than telling. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Learning More About the Gang These Are All Origin Stories We’d Love to See Getting Patched Up An Inspiring Display of Humanity Realizing They Aren’t Immortal It Really Makes You Reflect on Your Own Mortality Booker’s Betrayal A Gut Punch in More Ways Than One The Ending Quynh’s Alive! But How? We Need a Sequel ASAP!
#1: The Plane Fight
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After getting knocked out and shot in the head by Andy, Nile seemingly finds a way to escape her fellow immortal. On a plane to Paris, she ties Andy up and points a gun at the pilot, insisting that he land. Although Nile appears to have the upper hand, Andy isn’t fazed and nonchalantly fires at the pilot. This forces Nile to free Andy, although it turns out the pilot was playing dead. Andy’s clever gambit finally pushes Nile over the edge. It was only a matter of time until these kickass ladies started throwing punches at each other and this showdown proved every bit as satisfying as we imagined. The claustrophobic, high altitude setting adds to the fight’s intensity, making for an instant classic.
