Movie Review: The Equalizer 2

in #movie6 years ago

Hey Steemqalizers

I'm back with another movie review :) my obsession with popcorn often leads me down the path while I enjoy my favourite snack I'll tend to take note of whats happening on screen and thought I'd share my opinion with you.

This week I went to see the Equalizer 2 or the Sequalizer as no one calls it. I really enjoyed the first one, it was an unknown quantity at the time that was meant to be a stand-alone project but after the media hype and success of the film, studios thought they could milk this concept for another round or 2.

I'm a simple man, when I see Mr Washington in a movie, I watch it no questions asked. Denzel is to acting what an elevator is to a building. He takes acting to another level.

equalizer-2-exclusive-quad.jpg

Plot

So silent assassin and the mysterious and ever elusive Robert McCall has moved on from his exploits of the first movie and settled down to a life of peace and anonymity. He spends his days as a Lyft driver and if the situation calls for it he will deliver the vigilante justice in your name.

His relatively routine way of life is disrupted and he starts to unravel when McCall's past cuts especially close to home and thugs kill Susan Plummer -- his best friend and former colleague. Now out for answers but mostly revenge.

Trailer for The Equalizer 2

The Good

Did I not mention that Denzel Freaking Washington is in this movie? Is that not enough good for you? This man has taken star power to another level, he chews up every scene he is in and you simply cannot fault this mans commitment and perfection of his craft. You see and feel this man struggle with his past, his loss, the sins that haunt him, his commitment to justice but also to being noble and peaceful. You see him shift between his two sides the quiet and introverted loner who cares for his fellow man and the ruthless assassin who once unleashed cannot be stopped.

He really brings Robert McCall to life and gives you a character you're always trying to figure out but you support throughout the film.

The Bad

The movie has too many ideas it would like to execute and in doing so dilutes the plot and it simply becomes messy and inconsistent. Having all these subplots running makes the build-up sluggish and the movie drags and once it does get going and they try their best to integrate the plots some of it just seems like unnecessary filler and could have been removed completely in favour of fleshing out one or 2 subplots better.

  1. A man struggling with his past and loss of his wife (which we never fully get an explanation on)
  2. A man seeking revenge for the senseless and brutal murder of his best friend
  3. A Gran Torino style relationship with him and a young kid in his building. Trying to save him from a life of crime and be a positive role model for him
  4. The betrayal of a loyal friend
  5. Government agencies becoming guns for hire
  6. A man who spends his time as a guardian angel helping others

It really is too much for one movie to explore and you're left with a confusing mess, great acting and some amazing action sequences.

My rating

Any movie with Denzel in it already gets you 5 out of 10 since he does half the work, all you need to do is give this man a decent storyline and script and you're close to a box office winner as you can get. What I do like about this movie and the previous one is that it just doesn't rely only on his acting but the action scenes are really good and if you're looking for a decent action flick this one won't disappoint.

Sadly as for context, substance and overall character development, this movie falls flat, and I have to give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Have at it

What did you think of the movie? Were you a fan of the first one? Let me know in the comments

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Great post!
Thanks for tasting the eden!

Hello @chekohler, thank you for sharing this creative work! We just stopped by to say that you've been upvoted by the @creativecrypto magazine. The Creative Crypto is all about art on the blockchain and learning from creatives like you. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon. Steem on!

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