Review: Denzel Washington stars in the Equalizer
NEW YORK (WABC) -- I was really looking forward to this new movie because it reunites one of my favorite performers with his director from one of his best movies, "Training Day," but is "The Equalizer" up to their earlier effort?
Few can do what Denzel Washington does as "The Equalizer" - hold our attention just by standing still, and show us what lurks beneath the surface of this man with such economy.
Which is not to say this movie lacks action, because it doesn't.
The film is inspired by, but bears little relationship to, the old TV series by that name except to embrace the principle of a guy who is very skilled at making things right.
Robert McCall seeks to put his violent past behind him in Boston and just hopes to blend-in when he befriends a young prostitute in an all-night diner.
Chloe Moritz has no problem sharing a screen with a legend so when her character encounters problems we care just like he does. When Robert's attempts to peacefully resolve this with her tormentors fail, he must return to his old life to take-on the entire Russian mob.
Washington won an Oscar under the direction of Antone Fuqua who is back at the helm here, but unlike his earlier character in "Training Day" Denzel's do-gooder is too good.
The movie ultimately lacks drama because the lead character is never really in jeopardy. We look at Denzel Washington as "The Equalizer" and just know he's gonna get out of whatever tough situation he may be in. He's so capable the outcome of the film is never in doubt.
