THE EQUALIZER  3.2***

 

    This movie is based off the television series called "The Equalizer". It is about an ex-CIA operative who uses his special skills to help ordinary people who have no other recourse. The Equalizer is a gritty and violent, suspenseful  action film. This movie is very character-driven, and Denzel Washington, who plays the good guy, Robert McCall, gives another stellar performance. At the beginning of the movie, his character lives alone, keeps to himself, and seems to suffer from some form of OCD.   He is not some  wise-cracking ex-cop in the wrong place at the wrong time, but rather a quiet and complex character whose sense of justice is awakened when a young girl is brutally beaten. The film also has a strong Russian bad guy who has almost as much screen time as  Denzel  which most action films lack. However this isn’t your average action film. It’ll remind you of the excellent 2008 movie “Taken” starring Liam Neeson.

 

Denzel delivers a strong, convincing performance with some very catchy, powerful punchlines that actually make the viewer believe that he really is a super bad-ass guy  capable of taking down the entire Russian mob on his own. He owns the character and makes the character come to life on screen.

 

This movie gives you everything you could want from an action film: guns, explosions, suspense and great effects. In fact, the violence and bloodshed  is so prevalent it is definitely deserving of its R- rating, but that also makes the film feel authentic. The excellent performances by all the cast  also  helps raise this movie above your ordinary action movie. Overall the movie gives us a darker hero for darker times, and one you will cheer on every step of the way!

 

Clark