Film Review: The Equalizer 2

There are just some actors whose innate decency and integrity radiates off the screen. Let’s call it Big Decency Energy. This unique energy can usually be identified by asking yourself a simple question: If this actor told you that they were disappointed in you, would part of your soul die? Stanley Tucci. Tom Hanks. Lin Manuel Miranda. And of course, Denzel Washington.

The power of Big Decency Energy is that it persists even when the actor plays a morally questionable character; and Antoine Fuqua’s 2014 brutal, violence-packed thriller The Equalizer deliberately played with this dynamic.

This theme again emerges in Fuqua’s sequel, such as a scene where Washington’s retired intelligence agent, Robert McCall, ensures that some trust-fund rapists will never forget their victim’s name. But Fuqua also backtracks somewhat, aiming to develop the stoic character by examining his loss in more detail, and explain his paternal kindness to a young teen (Moonlight’s Ashton Sanders).

It sounds useful, but Washington so effectively exudes tragic wisdom that the exposition doesn’t add anything, except unnecessary minutes to the punishing runtime. A plethora of superfluous subplots also give The Equalizer 2 a sluggish pace.

Fuqua’s action is expertly choreographed, with some wince-inducing sound editing that highlights every bone crack and blade slice. However, there’s little narrative sense to the vicious fights and executions, resulting in a somewhat meaningless story.

But if anyone can make meaningless look meaningful, it’s Denzel. That’s a big energy.