11/12/2023 0 Comments Equalizer 2 review![]() The second is for you to experience yourself, but at least it’s somewhat obfuscated by a visually thrilling third act set-piece unfolding against a raging hurricane. It’s not quite “fridging” as she’s not a love interest, but it feels every bit as lazy. The first involves McCall’s friend Susan (Leo) who returns here only to be killed and therefore trigger the male hero’s journey of revenge. They don’t necessarily hurt the film - they’re expected at this point - but after the first hour’s change of pace they’re a letdown all the same. Once the plot does kick in it’s with the unfortunate baggage of a pair of genre contrivances. He’s happy just reading a book, but these remnants of the past fuel his drive towards making the most of retirement as well. This is a man who’s left his past life behind but still holds on to his skills and the memory of his deceased wife. (Call it Ex-CIA Agents in Cars Getting Revenge and it’s a guaranteed hit.) It’s an oddly beguiling watch, and that’s due as much to Washington as it is to its atypical presence in an action film. ![]() I’d happily watch a series about his Lyft adventures as he reacts silently - and sometimes not so silently - to the joy, indifference, or distress of his passengers. He’s always been a fascinating actor, and he delivers more with an expression than most action stars manage with a dozen quips. Our visit into McCall’s life unfolds slowly as we watch his routine play out, and Washington makes the most of the quiet time. It holds off the intrusion of plot for far longer than most studio films, especially of the action variety, would dare to do, and the result is a casually captivating experience. Along with returning writer Richard Wenk, they’ve crafted a film that eases its way into things slowly and assuredly. Rather than go bigger with the film or even simply rehashing the exact same beats, they’ve done something far more refreshing. Distraught but determined, McCall applies his particular set of skills to the pursuit of her killers.ĭirector Antoine Fuqua returns as well for this follow-up to their 2014 hit, and as the first sequel for both of them it shows why they’ve probably been so reluctant in the past. A visit with an old friend ( Melissa Leo) goes well, but it’s soon followed by the news that she’s been murdered overseas. A mother trying to find her missing daughter, a teenager tempted by the drug trade, a young woman abused by privileged young men. Once in a while, though, he revisits skills acquired from a lifetime ago in order to help those in need. He spends his days reading, driving passengers for Lyft, and interacting with neighbors. Robert McCall (Washington) has officially left his CIA career behind and embraced a more simple life. ![]() The Equalizer 2 is an alternately relaxed and satisfying follow-up that values the calm as much as it does the storm. Denzel Washington‘s never done a sequel before now, and it’s probably not surprising that his first dip into these waters goes a very atypical route instead. That’s not inherently a bad thing, and while you sometimes get Speed 2: Cruise Control you also sometimes get Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Sequels, particularly to action movies, typically go the bigger route. An unexpected but terrific character piece punctuated with thrilling action beats.
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