He's back...or did he ever leave? Denzel Washington stars in "The Equalizer." The story about an average man working at Home Mart (think Home Depot) whom becomes a vigilante after murdering the people who beat his teenage prostitute friend...only he didn't just murder ordinary pimps. He killed one of the heads of the Russian mob. This changes the course of his life and those around him. Keep reading...
Directed by Denzel's director in his Oscar winning role in Training Day (Antoine Fuqua), this movie unfolds like a handbook in how to make a successful action film. Not that all of Liam Neeson's films are formulaic (they are), but this isn't a formula for anything other than bad guys being KILLED! Based off of the British TV series of the same name we see Denzel act, fight, cry, and assist. Assist in what? I think people call him the male Meryl Streep, but unlike Meryl (whom commands your attention) Denzel shares the scenes with his partners. I bet actors LOVE working with him because of that regard. I wouldn't be surprised if he coaches them in scenes.
Filmed in the streets of Boston with David Harbour (aka taller version of Matt Damon), Chloe Grace Moretz, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, and the menacing Marton Csokas round out the cast. Of course Denzel is brilliant, but in the Christopher Waltz from Inglorious Basterds vein Marton is without a doubt the creepiest most fleshed out villain in film. At first blush he's a soulness monster, but one scene with Denzel explains him to a T...he then becomes even more creepy.
My favorite part of the movie isn't seeing the OBVIOUS Wahlberg brother, but daytime alum Johnny Messner makes a cameo as an assassin. Hey I'm loyal to my daytime actors!!! 5 stars out of 5. Sorry Liam, but Denzel is the new/old action star in town.