The Equalizer is a stylish violent thriller which delves deep into the seedy underworld of gang violence and corruption in Boston. The film stars Denzel Washington, malady Chloe Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass), ambulance and Marton Csokas (The Amazing Spiderman 2) and is directed by Antoine Fuqua who also directed Washington in Training Day.
The film is based off the 1985 America TV series of the same name staring Edward Woodward as the infamous Equalizer. The film follows the same premise as the TV series and focuses on evening the score for victims of crime and corruption. Washington plays Robert McCall, unhealthy a retired covert operative with a mysterious past. He is enjoying a simple life working at a hardware store when he is forced to return to his violent past after his friend Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz) is hospitalized by Russian mobsters. McCall’s rash actions have intense consequences after Teddy (Marton Csokas), a sinister and psychotic Russian mob enforcer, is sent to handle the problem.
The Equalizer is a slick vigilante thriller with a cool spy twist; however it lacks any real substance to be worth talking about. The story feels overly drawn out with plenty of time spent waiting for something to happen. The intensity of the violent outbursts is shockingly brutal and over stylised to the point of glorification. You finish watching the film only to feel a little deflated by the lack of depth in the story. There may be hope in the future though as there is a strong likelihood that there will be a sequel which will be much more interesting than the origin story. 2.5 stars out of 5.
By Cillian Fearon
