It is interesting to note that this was the first sequel Denzel Washington had ever been involved with. It was also the first sequel ever directed by Antoine Fuqua. That would suggest that these two filmmakers believed in the script written by the same writer as the first "Equalizer" film (MY REVIEW), Richard Wenk. With all three main ingredients still in control of the mix, can we expect the same flavor?
Retired Marine and secret agent Robert McCall is leading a laid-back life now as a taxi driver. True to his nature, he would extend his help to his various neighbors, friends, and passengers. It could be small things, like fixing Fatima's garden or helping old Sam reunite with his sister; or bigger things, like giving spoiled rich rapists get punished or recovering a kidnapped girl all the way in Turkey. He was was particularly focused with helping Miles, a lost young man confused about his priorities in life.
One day, McCall's close friend Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo, reprising her role from the first film) was violently killed in her hotel room in Brussels just when she was close to blowing the lid off a gang of hired assassins. McCall could not just stand by without getting involved himself both to avenge her death, as well as to complete the investigation of her case in progress. The killers go to all lengths to go after McCall in order to stop him.
Like in the first film, the various scenes of killings were graphically brutal, so well-executed and shot to make them painful to watch. The final fight scene of McCall and the mastermind killer was set outdoors during a hurricane in a seaside town. How the bad guy would meet his end (of course you expect this already) was as gory as a death on "Game of Thrones." (Of course, that guy just so happened to be an actor on "Game of Thrones" as well.) These scenes would really satisfy the thirst for adrenaline and blood of action fans.
There were times when I felt that the pacing of the scenes between action scenes could be too slow. Of course, they show off Denzel Washington's sensitivity and range as an actor. We already know that Denzel is really a very good actor (you can't argue with 8 Oscar acting nominations and 2 wins!). Even as he already breached the age of 60 and 40 years of show-business, with these two Equalizer films, we know that Denzel can still be badass scary in hardcore action, and perhaps ready for more sequels to come. 6/10.
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