358. The Equalizer 2; movie review

THE EQUALIZER

Cert 15

121 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, threat, language, drugs misuse

Saturday evening and Denzel Washington is still luring a decent-sized crowd into Nottingham Cineworld's screen five.

And that's another few pounds going into his bank account.

Anyone who wonders why the star of Philadelphia, Fences and Malcolm X should be involved in such a basic action movie as Equalizer 2 should take a look at its credits.

Yep, Washington is one of its producers and obviously knows meaty profits when he sees them. So far, his movie has made $160m from a $60m budget.

Four years ago, I wrote "The Equalizer was at least two marks better than it would have been if anyone else but Denzel Washington had been in the lead role."

Ditto its sequel. In essence, it is little more than an average revenge thriller but Washington gives it the humanity to bring the audience on to his character's side.

He players Robert McCall, a former military man, who has disappeared into the shadows after the death of his wife.

Nevertheless, as well as being a cab driver, he is a great avenger who stands up for the vulnerable or butts his nose in where it is not wanted, depending on viewpoint.

The tone is set in the opening scenes when he bumps off a kidnapper and his three accomplices. Indeed, never does he face any fewer than four adversaries. If it were a one-to-one it would not be a fair fight.

Anyway, his focus turns to the fall-out of an assassination of a businessman and his wife in Brussels and its impact on those nearest to him.

Meanwhile, he also remains a community champion - outwardly charming but capable of devastating use of fist, knife or gun.

I have a few problems with Antoine Fuqua's film - notably that there doesn't seem to be any consequences for McCall's killings. In the real world, whether they are justified or not, the police would be on his case.

Secondly, he seems to be super human and moves with the speed of a cheetah, despite being rather a lot older than his foes.

Mrs W. says I am being pernickety. She says The Equalizer 2 had us engaged throughout and biting our nails during its intense finale. She is not wrong.

Reasons to watch: Denzel makes a feast of very basic ingredients

Reasons to avoid: Its plot doesn't always pass scrutiny

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Director quote - Antoine Fuqua: "I keep hearing sequel, sequel, sequel, but you know, it’s like you make a movie you just want to make, the best movie you can make of each piece of material you have."

The big question - 

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