Where to watch The Equalizer
4 Stars
Robert McCall is a former special service commando who faked his own death in hopes of living out a quiet life. Instead, he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to save a young girl, and finds his desire for justice reawakened after coming face-to-face with members of a brutal Russian gang. McCall becomes the go-to man when the helpless require the kind of vengeance they would never find without his skills.
Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua accomplish a tricky feat and make it look effortless in their second collaboration, The Equalizer. This film is an immensely well-made action thriller with absorbing characters and uniformly solid acting from its well-chosen cast members. The movie is an adaptation of the 1980s TV series and while reusing the show’s name then smartly goes in a direction all its own. After the unfortunate death of Tony Scott, it looks as if Washington has found a kindred creative visionary in Fuqua.
The polished look of the movie and the high-quality acting elevate the otherwise boilerplate script to a level that approaches the commercial artiness of a Ridley Scott picture. Moretz and Washington have a few compelling scenes in the first act, which is crucial in getting the audience to care when she ends up beaten half to death. Washington can pay simmering rage better than any other contemporary actor, and his command of craft is always a pleasure to behold, even when applied in a franchise film. The filmmaker and his collaborators in front of and behind the camera have all brought their top game to this project.
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Written by: Richard Wenk, Michael Sloan, Richard Lindheim
Starring: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz