The Equalizer review

THE EQUALIZER:

NOT THE SMARTEST ACTION THRILLER, BUT IT’S CERTAINLY AN ENTERTAINING ONE!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

COLUMBIA PICTURES

Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in The Equalizer

            Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington (Glory, Training Day, Flight) and director, Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) re-unite once again in the action thriller, The Equalizer, based on the TV series of the same name. Now I have never seen the original HBO series, so I wouldn’t know how accurate this film adaptation is, but as a stand-alone action film, the movie is entertaining, it keeps you thinking, and often bloody.

            Denzel stars as middle-aged retired intelligence officer, Robert McCall who believes he has successfully put his Special Forces past behind him. That is until he meets a young girl named Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz-Kick-Ass, Hugo, Carrie) who is under the control of Russian gangsters, her life is in serious danger and Robert has to help her because she may be messing with the wrong crowd.

            Armed with special skills and strategies, it’s up to Robert to come out of retirement and save Teri’s future from falling into the Russians’ hands.

            The film also stars Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, The Bourne Supremacy, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), David Harbour (The Green Hornet), Bill Pullman (Spaceballs), and Melissa Leo (21 Grams, Frozen River, The Fighter).

            Overall, The Equalizer is a decent thriller, not quite as clever as films like the James Bond franchise, Training Day, or the original Bourne trilogy, but it doesn’t have to be. The film has its smart moments, but a lot of it did feel rather rehashed and cliché, however it’s not a terrible thing.

            The Equalizer is far from being a bad movie, it’s quite an enjoyable film if you know what you’re getting yourself into, just don’t expect it to be a big blockbuster like Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men: Days of Future Past, or more recently, The Maze Runner, but as is, it’s smart, intelligent, and a bit goofy.

            One very positive thing I had to say were Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz’s portrayals, their performances were very enjoyable to watch and I remembered who these people are, trust me, I love Denzel’s work, almost everything he touches is gold, I have never seen him do a bad movie.

            If you’re a fan of the action thriller genre or Denzel Washington himself, you’re sure to enjoy it, unless you don’t like bloody violence or you’re a fan of the original TV series, it probably won’t sit well with you, and if you’re expecting the next Training Day, I think someone needs to get drilled into their head.