Is there a role in this world that Denzel Washington can’t play? The answer is an equival no. From Oscar winning turns in “Flight” and “Training Day”, to his lesser known efforts “The Taking Of Pelham 123”, “2 Guns”, and so on. Antoine Fuqua is behind the camera once again directing Washington in “The Equalizer” a better-than average actioner that never really breaks out of the boundaries that keeps it entangled.

Washington plays McCall, your average everyday employed worker. He believes his past is behind him, until he meets Teri (Chole Grace Moretz), a young girl under the strict rule of a Russian empire. McCall, being the man he is, can’t stand by and idly watch this girl be tormented and abused, he must help. Armed with the most elite set of skills that Bryan Mills from “Taken” could teach, McCall sends a ruthless message and finds his lust for justice awakened once again.

For those of you that don’t know, “The Equalizer” is based on the popular tv series from the 80s. Obviously this rendition is a bit more ‘adapted’ in terms of ultra bloody violence. Denzel is good, as he usually is, and I will always watch his films. Re-teaming with his “Training Day” director was also not a horrible idea. The timid well placed shots in the film’s climax, and the bone crunching scenes between Washington and his villainous Marton Csokas are dubious and eagerly thirst quenching. However, just be warned, if violent capturing is not your cup of tea, stay away. As the R rating is well earned.

The film draws many parallels from other great action films of the last five years, and at it’s best I was picturing a more toned version of “Olympus Has Fallen” (another Fuqua directed film). However, “Olympus Has Fallen” had a cool premise, while “Equalizer” is bland and more violent than encompassing. Washington plays the character of McCall pitch-perfectly. I just can’t help but feel it’s the typical good samaritan type we always see him play. That being said nobody else in the cast, can really match his level of persona. I mean he is the titular character, always one step ahead of the baddies, no matter what. The elaborate death sequences were surprisingly intricate, and gruesome. Just know when the violence is on, believe me it’s on. So action junkies looking for a quick fix look no further. All others, probably stay clear.

B-

By: Nate Adams

Directed By: Antoine Fuqua

Rated: R

Runtime: 130 mins

Studio: Sony

Release Date: September 26th 2014

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt0GkVZK8zA