A popcorn flick which could have been so much more...but still fun though.

Rating: 8/10 (23 September 2014)

Who does not like Denzel Washington...? Not many people. The fact is that there is something really cool about the characterizations he creates which often are underplayed and stick in our memory for a long time after the viewing. He likes to transform himself from character to character but always leaves that groove walk that became in some way his signature. The problem with Hollywood film industry is that once something worked in the past it will be repeated. Production companies almost never want to take a risk with the original projects. It is better to find some old movie or TV show and make a new spin off based on the old concept. This is where "The Equalizer" fits in on paper, very enjoyable and existing triller that is based on 80's TV series originally starring Edward Woodward. Russell Crowe was originally attached to star as Robert McCall eventually the role went to Denzel and probably with better effect. The only minus is that Denzel has done this type of part on more than one occasion. Tony Scott's "Man on Fire" immediately comes to mind, also "Safe House", "Out of Time " as well as to some extend "Training Day". This last one was directed by Antoine Fuqua who also happens to be director of "The Equalizer". Sadly the genius of "Training day" did not follow him here even though he did the best he could with the material presented to him in the script by Richard Wenk adopted from TV show ideas of Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
"McCall (Denzel Washington) is a former black ops commando who has faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. (we find out about that though half way through the movie) When he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters. As he serves vengeance against those who brutalize the helpless, McCall's desire for justice is reawakened. If someone has a problem, the odds are stacked against them, and they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer."
I wish the script would have been better because there is truly potential here with the cast that has been assembled. Every movie needs a good antagonist and Marton Csokas as Teddy offers a good counterpart to Denzel's character. His mix of sophistication and sadism offers well needed dose of balance between humanity (McCall) and evil (Russian mafia's "cleaner" Teddy). The scene between McCall and Teddy in the restaurant when they come face to face is one of the best and most intense acting wise. Watching that scene brought to mind another iconic scene form movie the "Heat" between Pacino and DeNiro. Very enjoyable indeed, full of depth and internal dialog specially played in close up where the eyes do the talking.
The action scenes are shot in manner that resemble bit Tony Scott's style of filmmaking, in fact the whole film stylistically might have been inspired by work of the late director. Before every action scene McCall as a gimmick start his stop watch and estimates how long it will take him to kill subjects with the shortest amount of time. He choreographs the attack based on the threat and objects that he uses as weapons with minimal amount of movement.
Despite of the unoriginal story and perhaps little bit cliché ending I did enjoy "The Equalizer" for what it was. A popcorn flick which could have been so much more. But then again money roles Hollywood and judging by response of the audience tonight "The Equalizer" will make good box-office. I am just hoping for Denzel Washington that he will not get type casted with this type of roles which he always does really well, but here he did not have much to do, in terms of his character development. Though he was still ice cool as always.
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