REVIEW: THE EQUALIZER (2014)

There is always an abundance of movie remakes and adaptations in Hollywood. The majority of the films are mostly based on published materials (novels, comic books, etc.) and some are based of popular films or TV shows from the past. When tapping into television shows of yesteryears, movie studios usually go for the popular ones which has a strong fan-based following worldwide. The film I am about to review was adapted from a TV show in the 1980s. I remember watching it on a local Malaysian TV station as a kid (yes, I am old) but to my knowledge, it didn’t receive any huge fandom worldwide. So, I was surprised when the show was adapted into a film.

The titled is The Equalizer. The film is helmed by one of the most under-rated directors around Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Tears of the Sun, Shooter, Olympus Has Fallen). Hollywood superstar Denzel Washington leads the cast and supported by Martin Csokas, Chloe Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. The script is written by Richard Wenk who based it on the TV series from the 1980s which was created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.

Will a modern version honour the older version? Do read on…

Denzel Washington as Robert McCall

SYNOPSIS:

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) seems like your ordinary average guy who works a regular job and leads a low profile life. While dining at his regular restaurant, McCall befriends a prostitute named Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz). Teri confides in McCall her troubles and difficulty going through life. One day, McCall sees how bad her life is and decides to secretly take matters into his own hands. By utilizing his skills in one-armed combat and weaponry, McCall goes on a murderous rampage of those bothering Teri. Unknown to McCall, he has opened a can of worms which results in him being hunted by a top Russian assassin named Teddy (Martin Csokas).

Martin Csokas as Teddy and Denzel Washington as Robert McCall

SCRIPT:

Strong but slightly over-the-top. The film’s plot is pretty straight-forward and easy to understand. For a film that is a crime-drama, it doesn’t rely on plot twists to enhance it. From scene to scene, it grows stronger and stronger as it heads into a climactic ending. There were good character establishments for the key roles. As an audience, I got to ‘participate’ in who these characters and what they can potentially become in the course of the film. What makes the script even stronger is the action scenes that were written for the film.

Chloe Grace Moretz as Teri

ACTING:

Stellar performances from Denzel Washington, Martin Csokas, and Chloe Grace Moretz. There were convincing as hero, villain, and victim respectively. Despite Washington headlining the film and playing the solo lead, Csokas played quite a good villainous opposite the hero. I have been a fan of Washington for a long time and him staring in the film is worth buying a ticket.

Washington and Moretz in a scene

 FILMING:

The Equalizer reunites Denzel Washington with his Training Day director Antoine Fuqua. In the movie Training Day, Washington won the Oscar of Best Actor and this partnership was something I was looking forward to. Fuqua directing was once again sublime and brilliant. He manages to combine just enough action and drama to make it good film. Good use in cinematography to give it a gritty look. What I liked about the film is how Fuqua puts some ‘art’ into the violent scenes, The action scenes were a little over-the-top like Bollywood films but I didn’t mind that really, it was fun to watch.

Director Antoine Fuqua on set with Csokas

PACING:

Very slow from the beginning as it tries to establish character and plot. However, it builds up well to a nice climactic ending.

TONE (MOOD):

A mysterious and unlikely hero battles his own demons from the past to wage war against those who oppress the weak in society.

DOWNSIDE:

Slow pacing. Quite a lot of talk that might bore some people.

UPSIDE:

Great action sequences and fantastic performance from Denzel Washington.

OVERALL:

It honours the television series it was adapted from in which the character is mysterious yet very skillful in combat. Great action, good drama, and recommended to watch.

RATING:

8 out of 10