a5c7b9f00b Robert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?
I enjoyed the first Equalizer movie a lot; but I also enjoyed Bale's first Batman, Craig's first Bond, Statham's first Transporter, Neesom's first Taken, Reeves's first John Wick, and was disappointed by all of those sequels without exception, though reviews of other persons show other diverging opinions. This movie was taken in a different direction from the first and added more textures and layers in story and McCall's character revelation. For example, his rituals about drinking tea, cleaning dishes, etc., were downplayed here, but thrown in as asides, such as in the opening train scene wherein he unfolded what I assume was his tea bag. His depth of love for several characters, seen and unseen, was most welcome because I (we?) tire of the lonesome gun portrayals; next time we would want to see the lady who was mentioned several times. The young man's character was written and acted so well; I have read of the scene between the two wherein McCall tells the young man he is responsible for himself; he was wooed into the foregoing drug scene which McCall crashed and McCall's call to the young man's self was wonderful to behold, and so believable. How many more McCalls are needed today, not as dads, but birth dads? I grinned when I thought about how the young thugs who had enticed the young man were startled when this old guy breaks in and snatches their neophyte from them; they cussed about who that guy was, but they didn't chase the phantom geezer. The confrontation/invervention scene was perfect in every way. Another sequel should be worth the wait. Mr. Washington's career continues to unfold at its own pace; he seems to have perfect pitch whether in a comedy, drama, action role. I go to movies rarely, usually waiting for cable at home; he was worth the price of a ticket, but the popcorn was too expensive.
I just watched the first film a couple of days ago and watched part 2 yesterday. I can't believe I only recently discovered it. The second film was much better than the first because there was a bit more action. They couldn't have picked a better actor to play him. Denzel kicks butt big time in this one. I'm a big fan of karma, revenge, and vigilante-style movies and tv shows and this one was no exception. I was entertained throughout the whole movie and didn't look at my watch once. I love how Denzel's character is so cool calm and collective just before he gets started. I'm hoping there is a 3rd. I could watch him all day.
Fuqua is a lyrical director who directed Washington to an Oscar in “Training Day.” He’s not afraid to spend time in the still darkness with McCall and likes to focus on small moody elements, like rain hitting the gutters. But he can also deliver red meat: A sequence in which McCall fights off a passenger in the back seat of his car is a mini-masterpiece of taut, sinewy direction.
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