Review: The Equalizer (2014)

Sometimes, I watch a trailer and think ‘ooh, I absolutely must see this film!’ and then completely forget about it. I think my brain just gets so full at times that things just have to fall out to make room for new things! Anyway, I’d seen that Jenna had watched The Equalizer recently, and that jogged my memory of how much I wanted to see it last year.

The Equalizer is based on a 1980’s TV Series of the same name, (didn't know this!) in which Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a man with a mysterious and dangerous past who has so far put behind him in favour of a simpler, quieter life. By day he works at a local DIY store and is well liked amongst his colleagues, and by night he works his way through a bucket list of sorts of books at a 24hr diner near his apartment. After meeting a young girl there, Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), who is under control of a group of violent Russian gangsters, he decides he can’t stand by idly and watch her get hurt.

This isn’t my usual go-to genre, but I’m a big fan of Chloe Grace Moretz and I’m yet to see a performance of Denzel Washington’s that I haven’t enjoyed, and so that’s why I wanted to see The Equalizer originally. I have to say, I thought they did a cracking job. Chloe Grace Moretz never ceases to amaze me, and I read that she really had to fight for her role as the director wanted an older woman to play Teri. Denzel Washington met and interviewed several people with OCD in preparation for his role, and that showed. I have spent a long time trying to like Chloe Grace Moretz after really disliking her role in Kick-ass (I know everyone loved her in that and I can't really explain why I didn't so I'm not going to try!!) and finally,  I think I'm starting to warm to her again!

Although I can’t pinpoint anything wrong in particular with the film, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Teri’s situation is certainly what kicks McCall into gear, but I thought she would feature much more than she does. Obviously there’s nothing wrong with that, and in fact the unexpected additions to McCall’s story were really interesting! 

I loved Denzel Washington in this, he plays the dark and mysterious McCall perfectly and you are itching to find out where he learnt his tricks.  The violent actions sequences are played out perfectly with many eye covering moments.

There’s a great scene very near the end of the film which I can only describe as being like a grown up’s version of Home Alone. It had these violent moments that make you jump, cringe and chuckle at the same time. I can’t work out the scene with McCall and the dirty cop inside the car, though. Is it possible to be locked inside your own car? Or any car, in fact? I don’t actually know! I loved the 'Home Alone' scene, I think I said exactly the same when I watched it...great minds ay!

I also learnt whilst writing this review that The Equalizer 2 has been confirmed! So there you have it, it’s clearly a great film, it was just lost on me. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t love it.

I remember really enjoying this when I watched it but ultimately, I think its very forgettable. I can't really recall any particular scenes (unless Allie or Google have reminded me!) - maybe this has something to do with my age over the movie itself!