![]() ![]() Washington wants to steer him away from neighbourhood ‘hoods back to the art studies that is Sanders’ passion. Note the intense interplay between Washington and Moonlight‘s (2016) Ashton Sanders. His perceptive, subtle and surprising marshalling of everything in this otherwise ordinary narrative elevates what could have been the disappointing, derivative movie I was expecting into a vastly more intelligent production. His first was for Best Supporting Actor in Glory, 1989) and has been entrusted by his star to handle other performances since then ( The Magnificent Seven, 2016).įuqua’s handle of the camera, at once still, steady and composed, but punctuated by gripping, terrifying, always controlled explosions of stunning violence, explains his hiring for this sequel. Image: Sony Pictures.įuqua has guided Washington toward his second acting Oscar in Training Day (2001. Getting equal: Denzel goes rogue in The Equalizer 2 (2018). This movie more than gropes its way toward being a quality, more intelligent entertainment, helped enormously by a charismatic star and insightful director. I see now how, with movies like this, us critics can patronise the popcorn audience by wilfully trying to upset the cinematic experience of the general public by scoffing at ‘lesser’ sub-genres. The first sign that The Equalizer 2 is a better than average revenge thriller film – I didn’t check on this until 15 minutes before the movie finished. I’m desperate to know when I can make my way home and go to sleep. ![]() Watching films at the cinema, I usually check the time on my phone every 20 minutes, especially during a late night, mid-week screening after a long day at work. My review here is based entirely on how entertaining and gripping it was based on how poor I assumed it would be. Let me explain, The Equalizer 2 is no Citizen Kane (1941) or Vertigo (1958). How wrong I was…and how happy I am to say how wrong I was. I’ve seen enough Arnold, Sylvester, Bronsan, Willis and Liam Neeson ‘have-a-punch’/’have-a-go’ hero crap to last me a lifetime of viewing, so approaching this second film in the big screen update of the Edward Woodward 1980’s TV series was something I did with the utmost trepidation. The macho action thriller is one type of film that really sets my teeth on edge. Whatever the PR junket says about the latest silver screen release and irrespective of my own professional, supposedly unbiased (?!) stance should be, my own likes and dislikes prejudge my thoughts before I even grab the ticket in my sweaty palm. ![]() Review, by Jason Day being a film critic, like everyone else, my personal preference imbue my enjoyment of movies. When his close friend and supporter (Melissa Leo) is beaten to death in a Brussels hotel room, he sets about seeking her killers while trying to rescue Miles (Ashton Sanders), a promising art student who is at risk of falling into the clutches of drug dealers. Underneath, he is a vigilante hero, deeply determined to pursue justice for the weak, disempowered and dispossessed. On the surface, he is an unassuming, mild mannered cab driver. Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) is retired CIA Black-Ops who, years after his wife died, has pursued a double life. To like this post, comment on it or follow this blog, please scroll to the bottom. Use the search function on the left of the screen to look for other reviews and updates. Starring Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Once it’s over, you won’t necessarily be itching for an ‘Equalizer 3’.Film review by Jason Day of The Equalizer 2, the action thriller about a man who helps oppressed or exploited people seek justice. Washington has the quiet authority, and Fuqua the stylistic chops, but the story they’re telling becomes more predictable as it goes along. Instead, the plot kicks in and the film becomes a rote, if well-crafted, lone-man-against-a-global-conspiracy melodrama. It’s satisfying enough to watch McCall take out a bunch of intern-abusing corporate bros, and a whole film in which he takes on such real-world scum feels like a fun idea. Less conspicuously, he’s also a violent righter of wrongs and avenger of the innocent – both at home and abroad. This time out, Washington’s Robert McCall is working as a Boston cab driver and helping out his neighbours, including a high-schooler flirting with bad elements and an elderly man trying to reclaim an heirloom. There’s a pleasing, easy-going rhythm to the first half of ‘Equalizer 2’ that allows the bursts of brutal violence to connect as intended. The sequel(izer), reteaming him with director Antoine Fuqua, is an improvement – in part because, unlike many action-film second courses, it doesn’t just hurl its hero into fresh mayhem. As a former CIA assassin-turned-vigilante, Denzel Washington was easily the best thing about the dour first ‘Equalizer’ movie. ![]()
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