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The Equalizer (2014)
One does not have to have seen the 1980s series of which this film is a reboot of. The main attraction is of course Denzel Washington. He is in a now very typical action role similar to 2 Guns and Safe House. Many actors of the same generation have now done a Liam Neeson “Taken” turn. Once the original roles start to dry up for actors over 50 they have relaunched themselves as elder statesmen action heroes to keep their brands going and satisfy the studio marketers. Another main aspect of the film’s promotion lies with Chloe Grace Moretz. A film with very limited original concept was always going to receive mixed reviews.
We begin the film with the pointless work banter between Robert McCall(Washington) and Ralphie the security guard wannabe who is being taught the old school meaning of courage and self belief some of which goes against the underdog image of Hollywood liberalism. He meets vulnerable young prostitute Teri(Moretz) whom he attempts to help away from the dangerous pimps within the Russian mob which goes through one main layer of underling after the other which already undermines the structure of the story.
The film as a whole is very underwhelming. Moretz to severely underused and has very little significance in the film. Washington struggle to play a hero to route for emotionally . Even the late Tony Scott’s “Man on Fire” was slightly more convincing. There is no persona in the character’s cold demeanour and any revelation about his past does not garner sympathy. Even cameos by Bill Pullman and Mellissa Leo come too late to rescue the film from its predictable and stereotypical direction. All of the performances are robotic like that of a video game or music video.
The themes are all unoriginal in terms of interrogation and cat and mouse. The cinematography tries to be like Taken by displaying Washington’s thinking pattern on coordinating the defensive attacks. McCall seems to fight on behalf of all the town’s underdogs against the international mob and the cops who are corrupted by theme. However these are only too common issues, parodies and clichés we have seen before such as blackmail and sociopathic behaviour. The only valuable lessons are drawn from making progress ad not perfection and reading for Teri. The scenery tries to be bleak like Sin City without the intensity.
McCall may have the skills to take down an entire gang but he is no Jack Bauer. The film is merely suitable for those who want an action lie in at home rather than in the cinema. The certificate is 15 for those who are interested. This is probably my most damning review to date.
One does not have to have seen the 1980s series of which this film is a reboot of. The main attraction is of course Denzel Washington. He is in a now very typical action role similar to 2 Guns and Safe House. Many actors of the same generation have now done a Liam Neeson “Taken” turn. Once the original roles start to dry up for actors over 50 they have relaunched themselves as elder statesmen action heroes to keep their brands going and satisfy the studio marketers. Another main aspect of the film’s promotion lies with Chloe Grace Moretz. A film with very limited original concept was always going to receive mixed reviews.
We begin the film with the pointless work banter between Robert McCall(Washington) and Ralphie the security guard wannabe who is being taught the old school meaning of courage and self belief some of which goes against the underdog image of Hollywood liberalism. He meets vulnerable young prostitute Teri(Moretz) whom he attempts to help away from the dangerous pimps within the Russian mob which goes through one main layer of underling after the other which already undermines the structure of the story.
The film as a whole is very underwhelming. Moretz to severely underused and has very little significance in the film. Washington struggle to play a hero to route for emotionally . Even the late Tony Scott’s “Man on Fire” was slightly more convincing. There is no persona in the character’s cold demeanour and any revelation about his past does not garner sympathy. Even cameos by Bill Pullman and Mellissa Leo come too late to rescue the film from its predictable and stereotypical direction. All of the performances are robotic like that of a video game or music video.
The themes are all unoriginal in terms of interrogation and cat and mouse. The cinematography tries to be like Taken by displaying Washington’s thinking pattern on coordinating the defensive attacks. McCall seems to fight on behalf of all the town’s underdogs against the international mob and the cops who are corrupted by theme. However these are only too common issues, parodies and clichés we have seen before such as blackmail and sociopathic behaviour. The only valuable lessons are drawn from making progress ad not perfection and reading for Teri. The scenery tries to be bleak like Sin City without the intensity.
McCall may have the skills to take down an entire gang but he is no Jack Bauer. The film is merely suitable for those who want an action lie in at home rather than in the cinema. The certificate is 15 for those who are interested. This is probably my most damning review to date.