Washington’s star power equals out sequel’s deficits
Denzel Washington completely commands a movie screen whether his character is the ushering in the calm before the storm or ends up being the force behind the storm itself. He gets multiple opportunities to show both sides in “The Equalizer 2,” the followup feature film to the 2014 movie that was based on the ‘80s TV series with Edward Woodward.
Washington brings the same intensity to the role of friend-tothe-friendless Robert McCall that he played so powerfully in the first film. His McCall is a man who unselfishly becomes an avenger for the helpless as a way of righting a wrong while trying to deal with the emotional black hole he has in his life. Between his self-appointed missions of mayhem and mercy, McCall is a good worker, neighbor and friend.
He does come up a short in the
friendship department as only his former boss, Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo), and her husband (Bill Pullman) know McCall well enough to share a meal with him. McCall has limited friends (mostly because most think he’s dead) but his connection to those he likes is deep and unconditional. That’s why the main plot thread of “The Equalizer 2” takes the story from being just a collection of random acts of vigilante kindness and turns it into a very personal situation.
The major story thread that touches McCall is balanced with a sprinkling of other good deeds ranging from dealing with a kidnapped young girl to helping stop a local teenager (Ashton Sanders) from being pulled into the deadly world of gangs. The main storyline is interesting, but McCall always seems to be at his best when dealing with the smaller situations. Because there is such a personal element to the main story, having these smaller tales end up being a heavy reminder of what made the original TV series work so well — the act of helping strangers.
Director Antoine Fuqua and Washington have a long history of working together that goes back to 2001’s “Training Day,” which allows Washington to turn in a nearly flawless performance. The pair have an extremely workable style that allows Washington to bring the emotional weight to the character while Fuqua fills in the spaces with sharp and well-orchestrated action sequences.
Fuqua and writer Richard Wenk have made some adjustments from the first film with the biggest being a change of jobs for McCall. Instead of working in a hardware store and finding those in need through the internet, McCall now is a driver for Lyft. Not only does this make it easier for McCall to pick up on the needs of strangers, but the close quarters of the vehicle amplifies the work Washington does because the camera is so close to his face.
Out of fairness to the moviegoer, no details of a writing blunder can be discussed without spoiling the movie. But, when the big twist in the film comes there will be no mistaking the error as it uses a plot element that has been featured so many times before.
The film would have collapsed into a mess with a lesser actor in the starring role. Washington manages to keep the film interesting even when the story takes on such an uninspired direction. Mix this with some plot points that aren’t made clear, a timeline that isn’t specific and the use of an impending hurricane as a too-obvious personification of the turmoil brewing, and Wenk misses more than he masters.
Normally, it would be impossible to forgive the writing errors, but “The Equalizer 2” works because of the intensity Washington brings to the production. It’s not a burden he has to carry alone, as Washington gets great support from Leo and Sanders. Together, they are enough to save “The Equalizer 2” from its painful writing ills.