The Equalizer 2 - Senza perdono

I'm a fan of Denzel Washington and enjoyed the first "Equalizer" movie. That said, "The Equalizer" was not a film I was necessarily clamoring for a sequel to--although I still was looking forward to it since Denzel Washington and the action scenes in the trailer would be worthwhile. After seeing "The Equalizer 2" at an advance screening, I can say that while the film is not perfect, it's an entertaining ride for adult action junkies that is on par with the first movie in terms of quality.

Denzel returns as Robert McCall, a vigilante-type figure and former special forces operative who begins the movie on a mission in Turkey. After such prologue, the film centers in on its primary narrative thread: a woman who he worked with on multiple missions has been killed by thugs in Brussels. The rest of the film primarily concerns McCall's attempt to bring the perpetrators of such heinous crime to justice, although the film also contains multiple sub-plots--including a new, older adolescent-age character who could theoretically become somewhat of a protégé to McCall in a possible third movie in the franchise.

The action scenes in "The Equalizer 2" are thrilling and intense. Sometimes the intersection of Fuqua's cinematography choices and sound edits can feel and appear a bit choppy at times, but the film certainly brings the white-knuckle goods. The film's action-packed finale scene, a climatic showdown in the midst of an incredibly rough hurricane, is thoroughly effective and satisfying. Just like the first movie, the violence in "The Equalizer 2" certainly earns its R rating. Denzel Washington is great as McCall, blending a unique mix of charisma and ferocity. Just like in the first movie, he is able to carry the film on all of its levels from beginning to end. That said, the film does have one large flaw--that of which the story is highly predictable. If you've seen any other "vigilante"-style action movie before, you'll be able to guess the key plot elements well before they unfold, and the film's sole attempt at a plot twist can be guessed within the first 20 minutes of the movie.

Fans of the first movie and Denzel Washington should be able to look past such banality and enjoy the action-packed ride, and I do recommend the film to them. 7/10

One good actor can not produce a movie, when nothing else is there to add. Small talks may not always contribute to the atmosphere, expressly when randomly thrown into the soup. And a crude story remains just a sketch, whatever you try to do with it. And this is the case with this movie. A huge potential wasted in a mediocre script, with barely convincing characters and a totally flat course. No music, nor the hurricane, could add to the lack of vibration in this scenario. This is a "Gran Torino" with a silly fake action movie beside. Denzel, who is a great actor and is playing excellent here too, becomes almost ridiculous trying to give some substance to nothing. Total disappointment, and an unreal over-rating...

Now depending on how you will see things, you may like the way this goes story-wise or you may hate it. First of all it's not just a rehash of what we saw in the first movie. It also tries to combine a few storylines, that tie together more or less. You have an elderly, a young student sort of thing, a mentor thing and what the Equalizer is good at of course.

Now some may feel that it all is a bit convoluted. Others may cherish that it tries so many things and steers things away from what the first one achieved (being straight forward and all). I liked the sequel even though I didn't expect it to go that way at all. Still it has some really good stunts and there is obviously violence too. With the charisma of Denzel you can never really go wrong character wise either of course. Strong sequel overall

Yes ,, maybe the plot was a bit predictable but in no way it was slow ,, in fact i can't believe how fast it went in few parts ,, and Denzel did just a mesmerizing job ,, and his speech with the kid "Miles" after he found him with the gang !! Oh man !! it was powerful ... Acting level infinity.

Before watching the movie i knew "Chloë Grace Moretz" won't be in it ,, so i went wondering like how it'll work ,, and my thoughts went to the "Kingsman" movies .. but after watching the first movie again and then this one ,, i realized that this movie is all about Denzel Washington and boy i liked it this way.

back to the story itself ,, it was good ,,as some of the reviews will probably say a bit expected,, but in my opinion,, it was just perfect,, singled out The Equalizer and put him on another category.

final thought ,, watching the first movie might not be of necessity but i did it either way .. As for this one it is without a doubt so recommended.

If there's anyone in Hollywood that I would believe is actually a real life bada**, it's probably Denzel Washington. The first Equalizer was a surprisingly brutal and visceral action film that gave Liam Neeson movies a run for its money. While the sequel is full of just as many, if not more, incredible kill sequences by Denzel's character, I think there's a lack of connection I felt this time around. I wasn't nearly as connected to the story, and perhaps that's because the revenge didn't feel as sweet this time around. The ending of the film is a great sequence on its own and there are certain scenes I will certainly revisit, but I'm not sure the film as a whole works quite as well.

6.6/10