On E List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


The Equalizer (2014)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 1/26

Equali1
1/26: Glory...Training Day...Antwone Fisher.

The Equalizer is right up there with them. When Denzel Washington is given a deep character, magic happens. He's outstanding in the mysterious lead role of Robert McCall. On the other hand, I thought the bad guy looked familiar, and it's Marton Csokas whom I liked in XXX. He's actually New Zealander, not Russian, with Hungarian heritage.

When I looked up who the director was, it turned out to be Antoine Fuqua. I'm starting to like his stuff recently: Tears of the Sun and The Replacement Killers. He's the black Michael Mann. What I appreciate about his films is there's nothing bombastic going on. Instead, the style is straightforward, lucid, well-paced, and backed by a solid story. Otherwise, The Equalizer would've been another John Wick: too robotic, unbelievable, and silly.

I like how it takes advantage of the Home Depot-like environment for the final battle as if it's jungle in the first two Rambo films. Sure, the violence is extreme at times, but that's how people are killed. In the meantime, I have to give credit to Chloë Grace Moretz for being the catalyst of what's to come by giving a good performance as Alina/Teri.

All in all, Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua, not Spike Lee, are absolutely right for each other.