Denzel does "Death Wish VI"

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2004)

This movie has (the late) Charles Bronson written all over it, from producer Lance Hool (who did many of Bronson's early 80's films) to the character's name: Creasy (you mean Kersey?). A shame that Old Leather Face is no longer around, too, since this would have been one of his best films, a great send off to be run at retrospective film festivals for years to come. For Denzel, however, this is absolute slumming as an actor. He passed this stage over 20 years ago as a bit player on "St. Elsewhere", and for some reason of late has decided to take every 'Man On The Edge' role that comes along. In a movie like "The Hurricane" it works. Here, overrun by Tony Scott's "NYPD Blue on Fast Forward" direction, it doesn't. Obviously, 2 time Academy Award winner Washington needed something after his performance in "Training Day" to prove he had more to give us, but I couldn't help thinking of Buzz Aldrin after the first Moon landing - how his life had peaked in achievement and depression set in. Well, unless Denzel goes back to playing varied characters, a career depression will soon set in, because I haven't seen him break out of the Edgy Man persona since "Philadelphia", though I did happen to like "John Q.", even if few else saw it. I love Denzel, one of the best actors in a long time, but he is typecasting himself for no reason when he has the power to take any role he wants.