The Equalizer 2 (2018)

I guess every aging Hollywood star needs a generic, marketable franchise they can fall back on. Cruise has Mission Impossible. Stalone has The Expendables. Washington now has The Equalizer. What is clear from EQ2 is that this franchise attempts to become something more but ends up as generic as they come.

Its simple, straight forward plot is satisfactory if not inspiring. It is the kind of thing that is exactly what one would expect. There aren't really surprises here. You will see it all coming. Experienced hero intervenes to save people who need help. Bad guys hit someone close to him. He strikes back. All the while inspiring the next generation who just needs some strong role model to keep him on the right path. It's all well and good. I'm just not sure it's very interesting.

I felt the first film was a bit of a mess. I did feel like Washington and director Fuqua has found their groove with this sequel. This film feels a bit more logical and satisfying. The film's subplot of Washington taking young Ashton Sanders under his wing shows some promise, but never rises above a fairly predictable story arc. If this is going to be more than just forgettable, disposable action flick they need to do something to make this character more interesting, offer us something not seen before.

I don't feel this sequel gets there. While I felt it was an improvement on the first, it remains generic. I get that it is a safe bet for the aging actor, but I'd just be more interested in him playing it not so safe.

The Equalizer 2
Starring: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders, Bill Pullman
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Richard Wenk