Return of ‘The Equalizer’ is a welcome one
Anyone going to a movie that has a simple “2” in its title should probably have first seen the movie that came before it. But that’s not the case every time, and it’s not a necessity here, as “Equalizer 2” is really more of a companion piece to its 2014 predecessor “The Equalizer.”
Both were written by Richard Wenk and directed by Antoine Fuqua, and both star Denzel Washington and feature brief performances by Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman.
But their roads diverge from there.
Still, just to assist any newcomers with what makes the protagonist tick, here are a few factors: Robert McCall – or just Mac (Denzel Washington) is a quiet man, someone who observes more than communicates, is a voracious reader, is widowed, has OCD, is a highly trained killer, and is dead – not in any supernatural way; but in his long-ago CIA days, things worked out better if it was presumed that he was killed in action.
In a film that’s as filled with tension as it is with unexpected plot turns, all you need to know is that Mac’s motivations are eventually fueled by anger, despair, and a need for retribution.
Fuqua and Wenk have made a terrific follow-up to their previous film, featuring a good story being told, often with a minimum of words.
It marks the first time Washington has reprised a role. If the resulting box office is big enough, he might want to do it again.
Ed Symkus writes about movies for More Content Now. He can be reached at esymkus@rcn.com