Equalizer 2 Is A Lackluster Sequel That's saved By Denzel Washington

       The first Equalizer was a stylishly violent yet effective action flick with a strong performance from Denzel Washington. Teaming up with Antoine Fuqua for his second collaboration post-Training Day, the talented duo delivered a brutal yet exciting vigilante tale that centered around Washington's character dispensing justice to those inflicting harm on others. While the end result wasn't perfect (Equalizer while entertaining was no Man On Fire), the film carried a sizable dose of energy while proving to be an effective vigilante action thriller. Fast-forward four years after the events of the first movie, Equalizer 2 continues the story set up by the previous film with both movies being based on a 1980's TV series of the same title. Marking the fourth collaboration between Washington and Fuqua, following Training Day, Equalizer, and 2016's The Magnificent Seven, Equalizer 2 proves to be another successful collaboration between the two with the sequel being a strong effort thriving off Washington's talent even if the film isn't quite as good as the previous film.

      Equalizer 2's plot focuses on vigilante and former CIA operative Robert McCall (Played by Denzel Washington), hunting down the people who murdered one of his closest friends. He ends up traveling through Turkey, Belgium and the US before discovering the identity of the murderers and unleashing some vigilantism justice. The first Equalizer worked so well because of the way it set up Washington's character McCall. There was a certain mystery to him outside of his insane skills in fighting and his dishing out of pure vigilantism. Washington and Fuqua created an interesting character that delivered kinetic action while having a moral compass to him that the audience can get behind. Being the first ever sequel that Denzel Washington ever starred in his entire career, he does a fantastic job reprising his role with a script that comes across as being more personal than the first working as a character study for Robert McCall. The audience gets to really know his character in the story and take a liking to his relationship with the young neighborhood artist he befriends named Miles (The scene where he delivers his big speech to him after leading him away from a local gang is terrific). The greatest thrill that the audience gets out of seeing Washingtons character in the movie is how he's able to outsmart, maneuver, and creatively figure out ways to take out his opponents in the most entertaining fashion. He even goes as far as using a stop-watch to time how fast he's able to take out the bad guys he counters which the audience can't help but laugh at. Other side characters from the first movie such as Bill Pullman's and Melissa Leo's characters return with significant yet minimal roles, playing a key part in the sequels plot with Leo's characters fate being the envelope pusher for McCall exacting revenge. Whereas the first movie dealt with Washington's character saving a young girl from the control of Russian gangsters, the sequel takes a more personal approach with its story in terms of exploring the character of McCall showing his attempts to live a quiet and peaceful life until hes forced to switch back into vigilante mode when he witnesses injustice happening in front of him. It's the quieter moments with the character that make Roberts character engaging as well as the action sequences more thrilling, particularly his opening fight sequence on the train with his character cleverly disguised, his moment as an Lyft driver looking after one of his transports and beating up the men who took advantage of her while demanding they give him a 5 star rating for his services (It's funnier than it reads), and his climactic action sequence during a storm. Equalizer 2 doesn't feel like it carries the same weight as it's predecessor plot wise, but it deserves points for attempting to take the story in a different direction while doing a very good job at doing so.

      In terms of acting performances, Washington is the heart and soul of the movie with him carrying the bulk of the film on his shoulders. He's brilliant here and brings all the right emotions to the part. He's the friend you would want to be associated with, but also the person you wouldn't want to screw over simultaneously. His performance alone makes the entire film worth watching. Ashton Sanders does a strong job playing Miles Whittaker, the young neighborhood artist with a troubled background whom Washington befriends and shares a father and son dynamic with. Sanders impresses here and works great with Washington with the two characters being the heart and soul of the film. Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo return for the sequel with both giving strong supporting roles though their characters feel rather wasted in this one given their potential. Pedro Pascal shines in his role as the main antagonist proving to be an effective villain while holding his own against Denzel Washington. As a whole, the cast is strong and all deliver terrific performances with the roles their given though it's Washington who runs the show essentially with another excellent performance.

      As far as directing and writing goes, Antoine Fuqua returns to the directors chair for the sequel proving not just to be a strong director of action, but also manages to get another terrific performance out of Denzel Washington when the two collaborate together on a project. Whereas the first movie was a super soldier style story, the sequel is that with doses of meaningful human subplots sprinkled throughout the film in between the action with subplots involving McCall's character helping one of his neighborhood friends find his long-lost sister or trying to put Miles life on the right track. While these subplots are effective in showing the kindness of McCalls characters heart, they also distract from the plots main narrative. The script by Richard Wenk has Robert McCalls character coming across as being a Batman-esque style comic book hero as he's shown performing his acts of vigilantism (The films impressive opening sequence on the train with McCall in disguise) while switching back to his daily routine as a Lyft driver transporting different varieties of people and performing noble acts for his community. The formula of a superhero movie is in play here with the general plot being grounded in reality. The comical aspect of the story seems to be that as menacing as the main villains come across as being, they easily get wiped out by Washingtons character making the experience an often fun and hilarious one for the audience as they know the main antagonists aren't aware of Washingtons characters capabilities. Despite the overall script being a strong one, it still manages to be a less compelling story than the first with the added subplots on the side ultimately distracting the films story from the main focus which is Robert McCalls character exacting revenge for the murder of his longtime friend Susan, played by Melissa Leo. While Susan's death is an effective twist that prompts Washington's character to take action, the audience has a hard time finding enough reason to care other than wanting to see McCall in action. The subplot involving Miles being rescued and set on a straight path by McCall while witnessing him in action feels tacked on despite being effective. It's noteworthy to see that Washingtons character inspired Miles in the end to do something with his life, but it also serves as a detour from the films main theme rather than assist the plot.

      Despite being Washingtons first ever sequel in his career, Equalizer 2 is not a bad effort as he does a damn fine job once again of putting on a fantastic performance. The film itself is a strong sequel overall and reasonably entertaining, though it feels like a disappointment in a sense when paired up with the first film. Washingtons performance is the key to the films success as he makes the experience extremely worthwhile regardless of the rest of the films flaws, which range from an uneven narrative to unnecessary subplots. In terms of the plot being similar to a comic book movie with the film utilizing the same formula essentially, Equalizer 2 is the closest that Hollywood has come to put Washington into the genre. His character switching on and off vigilante mode like a light switch, is thrilling with his outsmarting of the main villains coming across as feeling a bit cartoonish. Here's hoping that if an Equalizer 3 is made, the script is much stronger and more focused next time around. Equalizer 2 is an entertaining and genuinely exciting action movie experience, that owes much of its success to Denzel Washington with Antoine Fuqua bringing the kinetic action once again. The films climactic action sequence is one of if not the strongest action sequence in the whole film showing the true strength and intelligence of Robert McCalls character.

Final Verdict: If you're a fan of the first Equalizer then this is worth watching. Just don't expect it to be as good.