“The Equalizer” is the new action-thriller from Antoine Fugua and based on a 80’s television series originally starring Edward Woodward as Robert McCall.
This time round it stars Denzel Washington as McCall, a normal guy who tries to put his mysterious past behind him in hope to start a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl “Teri” [Chloe Grace Mortez}, who is under control of violent Russian gangsters he can’t stand idly by and so he decides to help her.
The Good:
The Equalizer 2014 is Antoine Fuga’s and Denzel Washinton’s first collaboration since 2001’s Oscar winning Training Day. Its one of the most fun action-thrillers Denzel has made in years an Denzel plays McCall with such a calm, warm presence, like a monk as described in the film. But when he feels ticked off he instantly switches into a dangerous, calculating killing machine.
There are some slick action scenes throughout, in particular a restaurant brawl in which McCall takes out Teri’s tormentors thinking they are just a gang of thugs and not part of the Russian mafia.
There is also a action packed finale, played out like a game of chess and sees McCall use anything he can get his hands on ranging from, nail guns, drills fire extinguishers to quickly dispatch the thugs in particularly gory fashion.
Marton Csokas (XXX, The Bourne Supremacy), stars as deadly asset “Teddy”, who is sent to tack down McCall at all costs. His character is also cold and calculating, dishing out violence as if he could have done it in his sleep.
Chloe Grace Mortez stars as “Teri” a young girl who is abused and tormented by the Russian gang. Mortez manages to pack a lot of emotion and character into such a small role. Whilst engaging with McCall at a 24 hour diner she slowly sucks him into her dark world in which she can’t escape from.
The Bad:
As much fun as “The Equalizer” is, it does at times feel overstretched. The finale could’ve been shortened as it drags at times, but Fuga tries to keep the pace slick by adding quick music beats. Also that Denzel’s McCall takes out each thug with ease as he never flinches or shows emotion when in killing mode as if McCall is a kind of “Terminator” style killing machine.
Conclusion:
Overall, “The Equalizer” 2014 is a fun action-thriller, which offers plenty of stylish and violent action as well as a cool as you like Denzel Washington who stars in what could be his most violent and best action flick since “Man on Fire“.
