Finally got to see Equalizer
SPOILER FREE
Why does this movie sound familiar? Maybe because the plot of it sounds a little like one of Denzel's other films called Man on Fire. That is not a denouncing of the film, just an observation as well as comparing the two storylines. Denzel Washington has a knack for picking scripts that have the revenge theme in them, not to mention playing characters with sour pasts who are struggling to find redemption or second chances in life. Both of his characters in Equalizer and Man on Fire experience the theme of having rough pasts and needing guidance to get to a point where they find reason to live again as regular people. With Man On Fire, Dakota Fanning showed him that he had more to live for than just being a bodyguard, giving him a piece of his dignity back. With Equalizer, Denzel attempts to put his questionable past behind him and start a new life. When he meets a young girl whose under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, it becomes his moral and personal responsibility to assist her in getting freedom. Man on Fire had Dakota Fanning's character get taken by powerful forces of a similar ruthless nature, forcing Denzel to go on an act of vengeance to get her back. Denzel sure loves the theme of revenge in his movies and why shouldn't he. It works.
Equalizer doesn't necessarily work on the same level of thrills and excitement as Man on Fire, nor has the emotionally powerful ending that one delivered but it is an entertaining offspring of a similar plot theme. There is a lot of violence in this movie, and sometimes it overshadows the overall drama of the story. What Man on Fire did so well compared to this movie, was it developed Denzel's character and his relationship with Dakota Fanning, just enough to make the audience care about them. The filmmakers of that film showed the audience what was at stake when she got kidnapped, and how she pulled him out of the darkest corner of his life and the connection they had. You literally felt the determination Denzel had when he went to seek vengeance on those who kidnapped her. With Equalizer, the same repetition happens but not as effectively. Something's missing here between the development of his character and the girl. It doesn't feel as special as what Man on Fire showed us, but it's definitely not a throwaway subplot. The acting from Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz is really good and convincing. You ultimately end up buying the scenario, and wanting Washington's character to kick ass because he just has this way of making you like and emphatize with him. That goes for any character Denzel plays and shows how remarkable of an actor he is. The direction by Antoine Fuqua is stylish, though not as effective as his other previous work with Denzel Washington like Training Day. The film is fast-paced but the script lacks something in the middle that gives you the level of excitement that Man on Fire had when Denzel first goes on his revenge spree and quest for answers. The acting by Martin Csokas as one of the films main antagonist is strong here, giving a face to the forces that are working against our two main characters in the movie.
Equalizer works because it delivers in the action department of the story, even though that does end up being problematic because it leaves the emotional core of the film lacking in terms of Denzel interacting with Chloe's character and making you really care. What saves the film is the appeal of the lead character and watching him clean up while going on his mission to buy the girls freedom. If I had to choose between this film and John Wick in terms of deciding which film is better? I'd probably pick John Wick because of a stronger second half. Equalizer has the better filmmaker and lead actor behind it though. It's a little disappointing they had kind of a weak script to work with but ultimately it still remains a fairly solid and entertaining revenge flick.
7.5/10
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