THE EQUALIZER
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATED: R
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATED: R
RUNNING TIME: 131 MINUTES
CHRIS'S RATING: ****/*****
PREMISE: (VIA IMDB) In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
THE PRO'S: Denzel Washington is always a pro in my book. Interesting premise and story, very stylistic execution. Great, terrifyingly creepy villain. Excellently picked supporting cast.
THE CON'S: Lack of real backstory for the lead character, mostly.
THE REVIEW:
Let it be known I highly agree with what many other reviews are saying - this is Denzel's best movie in years. It's action-packed, thrilling, has a great story, and so many things going for it. Making it a near perfect action thriller. But it just barely misses those "perfect" marks.
The Equalizer, which is adapted from a TV Show of the same name, focuses on Robert McCall, a man with a special set of skills, and a 9-to-5 job in a home depot-like store. While spending his nights in a diner, he makes friends with Teri, a young call girl who wants to be a singer, and whom he forms a bond with. Things go from pleasant, to sour when Teri is beaten half-to-death. Using his special skills, McCall sets out on a road to helping Teri, and others in his neighborhood from a Russian mobster who rules it with an iron fist.
I'll be honest and say I never saw the television series, so this is a review from a non-fan. The story of The Equalizer, while not "new" per-say is handled exceptionally well, and carried beautifully by Denzel Washington. But I could go on and on for hours about Denzel Washington, who is one of my favorite actors, and who is just awesome in this movie. Who I'd like to highlight more here is the supporting class.
I am very impressed with Chloe Moretz, between her performance here, and in If I Stay. Here, she really pulls a very different, and excellent performance from her previous work. Despite her screentime, she truly is one of the biggest stand-outs here by far. But even she and Denzel were not the real show stealers for me, this title goes to Johnny Skourtis as Robert's buddy, Ralphi. If there's one character to root for in this movie other than the star, it was definitely him. And luckily, he gets a lot of screentime to really let this performance shine.
In fact, most, if not all the cast handles their roles exceptionally well. The characters in the movie are fluid and well fleshed-out. As well as carrying one of the most terrifying thriller villains to date in my opinion, in the form of "Teddy", who just chills me to the bone in each scene he's in. All of these things make for an awesome, if not at times gruesome action-thriller.
The only weakness the movie has, that makes it only near perfect, is Robert's character himself. We never really are given concrete reasoning for why he has his skills. We know he worked for an "agency" but never get past that. And here, I think the film would have benefited from giving us a bit more of a backstory as to fully flesh out the character to his potential. Unfortunately, this knocked the movie down a grade for me as he is, after all, supposed to be the main character.
That being said, the movie is still extremely enjoyable minus this one flaw. The action is fluid, the kills are just absolutely jaw-dropping and epic, and Denzel Washington is simply put a badass. This is an action movie where I can definitely say you get your bang for your buck, a very satisfying bang at that. And has definitely peaked my interested to watch the television series as well.
IN CONCLUSION:
The Equalizer is a finely-crafted, sometimes gruesome, and extremely satisfying action-thriller. If you're looking for a good action-thriller that is not only smart, but tells a good story as well, this is one you don't want to miss. Definitely Denzel's best film in years, hands down.
THE PRO'S: Denzel Washington is always a pro in my book. Interesting premise and story, very stylistic execution. Great, terrifyingly creepy villain. Excellently picked supporting cast.
THE CON'S: Lack of real backstory for the lead character, mostly.
THE REVIEW:
Let it be known I highly agree with what many other reviews are saying - this is Denzel's best movie in years. It's action-packed, thrilling, has a great story, and so many things going for it. Making it a near perfect action thriller. But it just barely misses those "perfect" marks.
The Equalizer, which is adapted from a TV Show of the same name, focuses on Robert McCall, a man with a special set of skills, and a 9-to-5 job in a home depot-like store. While spending his nights in a diner, he makes friends with Teri, a young call girl who wants to be a singer, and whom he forms a bond with. Things go from pleasant, to sour when Teri is beaten half-to-death. Using his special skills, McCall sets out on a road to helping Teri, and others in his neighborhood from a Russian mobster who rules it with an iron fist.
I'll be honest and say I never saw the television series, so this is a review from a non-fan. The story of The Equalizer, while not "new" per-say is handled exceptionally well, and carried beautifully by Denzel Washington. But I could go on and on for hours about Denzel Washington, who is one of my favorite actors, and who is just awesome in this movie. Who I'd like to highlight more here is the supporting class.
I am very impressed with Chloe Moretz, between her performance here, and in If I Stay. Here, she really pulls a very different, and excellent performance from her previous work. Despite her screentime, she truly is one of the biggest stand-outs here by far. But even she and Denzel were not the real show stealers for me, this title goes to Johnny Skourtis as Robert's buddy, Ralphi. If there's one character to root for in this movie other than the star, it was definitely him. And luckily, he gets a lot of screentime to really let this performance shine.
In fact, most, if not all the cast handles their roles exceptionally well. The characters in the movie are fluid and well fleshed-out. As well as carrying one of the most terrifying thriller villains to date in my opinion, in the form of "Teddy", who just chills me to the bone in each scene he's in. All of these things make for an awesome, if not at times gruesome action-thriller.
The only weakness the movie has, that makes it only near perfect, is Robert's character himself. We never really are given concrete reasoning for why he has his skills. We know he worked for an "agency" but never get past that. And here, I think the film would have benefited from giving us a bit more of a backstory as to fully flesh out the character to his potential. Unfortunately, this knocked the movie down a grade for me as he is, after all, supposed to be the main character.
That being said, the movie is still extremely enjoyable minus this one flaw. The action is fluid, the kills are just absolutely jaw-dropping and epic, and Denzel Washington is simply put a badass. This is an action movie where I can definitely say you get your bang for your buck, a very satisfying bang at that. And has definitely peaked my interested to watch the television series as well.
IN CONCLUSION:
The Equalizer is a finely-crafted, sometimes gruesome, and extremely satisfying action-thriller. If you're looking for a good action-thriller that is not only smart, but tells a good story as well, this is one you don't want to miss. Definitely Denzel's best film in years, hands down.
4/5 STARS
Very Recommended
Very Recommended
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