Monday, January 28, 2019
The Equalizer 2
- Commentary: I have to say, the second in this series, as often happens, is a little disappointing. I still love the character, and there is a dynamite good-guy-vs.-bad-guy fight at the end, in the rain, on top of a concrete structure, right at the edge of a drop-off into the ocean, on the property that McCall owns. Good set-up. Good choreography. The story, though is a pretty standard avenge story, although it starts well, is so standard that, as I watched it the first time I kept second guessing the coming action and none of my wild and woolly fantasies were even hinted at in the actual film. The movie's set-up implies an imaginative adventure, and then only half-heartedly delivers.
I still love the character, though. I still love Washington's portrayal of the character. I just wish there had been more substance. I really enjoyed the first movie in the series and felt as though I was promised a super-spectacular sequel. Didn't happen. If this series continues, I'll watch other entries, but I can't promise I'll want to own them. The second in the series got a pass because, well, it often happens that the second is a little muddled and, expecting that there is more to this character and his stories, I collected it. If there's a third, as the press following the initial theater release of the first implies that a third is being considered, I'll be careful. Even if a third shows up at my library, I'll be sure to watch it more than once before I buy, especially if I like it.
Apparently, those connected with the film, including the director and the writer, were astonished at the success of this second film. On the subject of the possibility of a third, an article published on 7/25/18 was subtitled: "No-one expected The Equalizer 2 to do so well at the box office when it was released last week." Three days later, in an article written about the premiere of this movie (dated 7/28/18 @ 11:54 a.m., also quoted below): "...it sounds like the cast and crew already have plans for a third Equalizer. While Washington said whether they make another movie is 'up to the people,' Wenk (the writer) said, 'I have [the third film] all in my head. It starts right from the end of this one.' ... Producer Steve Tisch said, 'What people want from Denzel and what they want to get from an Equalizer sequel they are going to get with the sequel. I'm excited for there to be an Equalizer 3.'"
Denzel Washington, himself, refuses to consider this second film a sequel. And I quote, again: "Denzel Washington may be playing vigilante Robert McCall again in The Equalizer 2, but don't call the movie a sequel. 'You know, everybody keeps using that word — sequel,' the Oscar winner told The Hollywood Reporter at the film's premiere last night at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Instead of thinking of it as a sequel, Washington explained, 'It's a story without an ending and it's open-ended, so here we are.'" That sounds promising. Maybe the problems with the second were a case of "sequel (sorry, Denzel) blues". Not that I'm aware that such a condition occurs, but it's not unimaginable that it might. Hopefully, those blues will vanish as a third in the series comes together.
I know. Absolutely preposterous that I am so into these films. But, there you have it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Robert McCall Pedro Pascal Dave York Ashton Sanders Miles Whittaker Orson Bean Sam Rubenstein Bill Pullman Brian Plummer Melissa Leo Susan Plummer Jonathan Scarfe Resnik Sakina Jaffrey Fatima
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up of the movie.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Labels: action2, adventure1, antoine-fuqua, denzel-washington, drama3, melissa-leo, revenge1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence2
