The Equalizer

Actors:  Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz, Marton Csokas, David Harbour, Bill Pullman,  Melissa Leo

Rating:  8 out of 10, I was interested to see how they would transform Denzel Washington into a smartly dressed English ex-spy a la the 1980s TV show.  Since it is Washington he more than made this part his own.  He plays an insomniac ex-spy leading a mundane life working at a Boston area Home Depot like store.  In one of his late night sojourns at a local diner he befriends a young Russian hooker who eventually requires his assistance.  The first part of the movie is almost too slow but by the end you realize it was needed to set up the second half action.  Washington is perfect for this part as a lethal killing machine who starts mowing down the evil doers with a deadpan expression which eloquently states – “how could you be this stupid?”  Washington captures the humanity behind the violence which makes his character very compelling.  The climatic confrontation may cause you some nervous discomfort the next time you visit a Home Depot, so prepare yourself; great flick.  Seeing it a second time I can’t believe this didn’t make the top ten for the year.

MVP:  Washington, of course, as the very dangerous Robert McCall