By Will Sevy
Online Arts Editor
From “Training Day” to “Man on Fire,” actor Denzel Washington has played a myriad of roles as the hardboiled action hero. Yet, even after three decades in the film industry, he thankfully shows no indication of letting up anytime soon.
Washington’s cool composure is the foundation of “The Equalizer.” While the writing may be dull, Washington’s acting, coupled with an engrossing blend of cinematography and pace, results in a consistently thrilling film.
The story follows Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a former secret agent who now lives a quiet life in Boston. One day, he meets a young girl, Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), who is under the brutal control of Russian gangsters. McCall decides to come out of retirement and bring down the entire Russian crime ring.
Washington’s distinctive acting plays a major role in the film’s success. His character’s calm, cool personality goes hand-in-hand with with his tough guy persona. Washington’s stoicism is everpresent, not only selling his character as in control of every situation he faces, but instilling a sense of capability that makes the overwhelming odds he faces feel surmounatble, a trait not generally seen in action films.
An equally significant trait is how the fast-paced script complements the film’s detailed action scenes. “The Equalizer” is riddled with violence. The over-the-top nature of each moment, like McCall quickly disarming five foes at once, creates a constant sense of awe. Thankfully, the film’s dialogue and exposition are delivered quickly, maintaining a frenetic pace that never becomes too cluttered with cheap thrills.
Such intensity is furthered by the film’s cinematography. “The Equalizer” is free of the frequent use of sharp screen cuts that dominate most action films, instead favoring longer shots that focus almost exclusively on McCall during combat. The lack of chaotic cuts make the action considerably easier to follow, complementing the movie’s pacing.
However, the film’s success is somewhat hindered by its dull writing. Most of the dialogue-heavy scenes are riddled with cliché one-liners and a lack of narrative significance, stagnating what little plot is present. This flaw is all the more disappointing given how many aspects of “The Equalizer” set it apart from standard action flicks.
The lack of an intimidating antagonist also fails to impress. Although McCall’s enemies are tough, none of the thugs he encounters are clever enough to create a real challenge for him. This, when paired with how capable of a protagonist McCall is, makes everything come off as almost too easy for him, dampening the film’s sense of tension.
As onerous as these traits are, they do not hold back the “The Equalizer” from becoming a gripping, worthwhile film. Washington’s composure, coupled with the film’s fluid pacing and cinematography, results in a noteworthy flick that stands out amongst the standard blood-and-explosion-driven action films.
“The Equalizer” is rated R and is now playing in theaters across the country.
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