Review: Washington gives stellar performance in ‘Equalizer’

Posted on October 10, 2014

By MARK VIOLA

“The Equalizer,” loosely based on the 1980s television series of the same name, reunites Denzel Washington with Antoine Fuqua, who directed “Training Day,” for which he won the Best Actor Academy Award.

The film takes a lot of time to develop the character of Robert McCall (Washington), and the overall product feels just as much a character study than it does an action thriller, adding a sense of weight to the whole affair.

Washington is great in these kinds of films, and he’s surrounded with a solid cast and a story that, while doesn’t break much new ground in the “one-man destruction crew” genre, has a sense of style.

Overall, “The Equalizer” is one of the better straight-up action movies of the fall, with a great lead performance and steady direction from Fuqua. I liked the movie enough, especially the character of Robert, that despite my typical aversion to sequels, I wouldn’t mind seeing another film about him. That’s about the best compliment I can give an action movie like this.

The film is rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, including some sexual references.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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