by Aly Lalji
In 2001, director Antoine Fuqua had directed Denzel Washington in Training Day. History was made as Denzel was the second black actor to win Best Actor in a Leading Role, taking the reign from Sidney Poitier’s 1964 win. Progress for African Americans evolved as barriers were finally broken. Now Fuqua and Washington have teamed up again in action thriller The Equalizer almost thirteen years later.
We can imagine how the conversations went; a formal sit down at the table as they discuss the finer details. "How can this help me win an Oscar?" whilst a silece descends in the offices as Fuqua answers "It won't! But you are going to entertain the hell out of of your audience, being all cool, calm and collected." And with that Washington smiled and said, "hell yeah!"
In 2001, director Antoine Fuqua had directed Denzel Washington in Training Day. History was made as Denzel was the second black actor to win Best Actor in a Leading Role, taking the reign from Sidney Poitier’s 1964 win. Progress for African Americans evolved as barriers were finally broken. Now Fuqua and Washington have teamed up again in action thriller The Equalizer almost thirteen years later.
We can imagine how the conversations went; a formal sit down at the table as they discuss the finer details. "How can this help me win an Oscar?" whilst a silece descends in the offices as Fuqua answers "It won't! But you are going to entertain the hell out of of your audience, being all cool, calm and collected." And with that Washington smiled and said, "hell yeah!"
Denzel abides by these attributes and with these fundamentals; his take on The Equalizer’s Robert McCall is outstanding. Who needs an Oscar when kicking ass is much more fun? If Samuel L. Jackson is the king of badasses, then Denzel is the ruler of badass kings. Denzel is back with a vengeance, as he hit in Flight but missed with 2 Guns. This take on the 1980’s television series is so near perfect, it will make the audience come back for a sequel as a new film franchise has been born.
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a man who believes he has put his Special Forces past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life, working in a hardware store. However when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young female escort under the control of brutal Russian gangsters, his conscience plays with him as he sees them abuse her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall’s demons come out of retirement and finds his desire to put the wrong things right. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer; the hero that everyone deserves.
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a man who believes he has put his Special Forces past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life, working in a hardware store. However when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young female escort under the control of brutal Russian gangsters, his conscience plays with him as he sees them abuse her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall’s demons come out of retirement and finds his desire to put the wrong things right. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer; the hero that everyone deserves.
Fuqua’s vision as director is remarkable. His original style of action and use of fast pace action sequences is effective enough keep hold of your attention span. The conventions of an action/thriller are all present to satisfy, dazzle and thrill. Fuqua builds up structure at just the right pace, where he directs Denzel like a stick of dynamite, where the audience are intrigued of when in the film will Denzel blow? When he explodes, Denzel does what he does best. He fights with brutality and superiority. He will bring justice to the weak, bringing down the Russian mafia and winning his audience over.
Where there is a protagonist, there must be an antagonist. Marton Csokas as Teddy, the Russian rogue, handles this role like a pro. The stereotypes of Russian gangster tattoos, evil, murderous and petty kills makes the audience eager that he will eventually receive his comeuppance. Moretz is truly in a supporting, but makes the most of the little screen time she has.
Overall, this film belongs to Denzel Washington who deserves a huge welcome back to action, as he delivers 110% as Antoine Fuqua has pushed him to.
The Equalizer is out this Friday
Where there is a protagonist, there must be an antagonist. Marton Csokas as Teddy, the Russian rogue, handles this role like a pro. The stereotypes of Russian gangster tattoos, evil, murderous and petty kills makes the audience eager that he will eventually receive his comeuppance. Moretz is truly in a supporting, but makes the most of the little screen time she has.
Overall, this film belongs to Denzel Washington who deserves a huge welcome back to action, as he delivers 110% as Antoine Fuqua has pushed him to.
The Equalizer is out this Friday
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