Makes me miss Edward Woodward

Rating: 5/10 (10 December 2014)

Edward Woodward's The Equalizer downplayed the violence that lay at the core of the character. Violence was a necessary evil but it was presented as something employed with regret and a certain analytic, constrained precision.
Its a shame then that whilst this updated film attempts to convey the same sentiment it fails to follow through, taking almost boastful glee in the often ugly violence dished out by its main character played by Denzel Washington.
To add insult to injury the story line is hackneyed and predictable. US arm of the Russian mob threatens young girl who they cruelly exploit as a prostitute. The result Washington's character rides in to save her. Along the way our hero uncovers corruption involving people in high places, etc, etc.
In summary the original Equalizer worked because it was slick and sophisticated with understated violence that made the main character appear even more intimidating. By contract this production uses a club where a scalpel would have been more appropriate. The only bright spot being Washington himself who is as engaging and talented as ever, holding this film together in spite of its shortcomings. A five out of 10 but only just....