Excessively violent and unevenly paced - needs a Besson touch

Rating: 5/10 (2 August 2015)

Watching this movie makes you wish Luc Besson had given the makers of this movie some lessons about how to make an action movie. Director Antoine Fuqua turns things round with an invincible African American hero dealing with white criminals eg the Russian mob and crooked Boston Irish cops.
The problems are mainly in the pace and the action sequences. The pace is uneven, with some draggy staring scenes interspersed by some sudden excessively graphic violence. The violence is revolting, not funny - too much is shown during each killing.
Denzel as the invincible vigilante like ex agent does some fighting and action but it's a bit like Liam Neeson's fighting in the last few Taken movies - a bit suggested with camera work.
Chloe Grace Moretz as an abused Russian prostitute is a scene stealer and shows she can act any kind of role well.
Overall a not quite get your money's worth flawed action thriller.