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The Equalizer

21 November 2014English2h 15mPart 1 of The Equalizer series
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 5 critic reviews

Washington commands, but a bloated finale drags this thriller down.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Denzel Washington's commanding performance
  • Criticised: Overlong, drawn-out second half

Audience

User score 7.5 out of 10 from 2 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet

Critic consensus

What 5 critics are saying

Critical reception for The Equalizer is mixed-to-moderate, with reviewers broadly agreeing that Denzel Washington's performance is the film's strongest asset. Washington and his on-screen chemistry with antagonist Csokas are noted as convincing and compelling. However, multiple critics flag a drawn-out second half and an overlong climax as significant weaknesses, and several feel the film falls short of its potential, particularly given the pedigrees of Washington and director Antoine Fuqua.

How the 5 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 5 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (5)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    This is far from Fuqua's own Training Day and Washington's other impressive body of work, but The Equalizer is a good reminder of what we may be missing.
  2. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Denzel Washington steals the show in 'The Equalizer'. Denzel's a pretty cool customer for his age. Age seems to slow a lot of action stars down. Thank god, he's nowhere close to being an Expendable one.
  3. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    The movie's climax in is a bit drawn out but all said and done, Washington and Csokas are thoroughly convincing and if you're an action junkie, you'll surely get your money's worth.
  4. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    You really don't have to do much to make an action flick work. Give us a good guy to root for and a bad guy to despise, and we are happy. The Equalizer does exactly that. You will certainly enjoy the film with your friends. But be prepared to sit through an excruciatingly long second half.
  5. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    The Equalizer isn't a terrible movie, as action sagas go. It just doesn't nearly live up to what it aspires to be, which is a smart, classy update of the 1980s TV series of the same name, about an ex-government agent who spends his retirement as a sort of ultra-violent avenging angel, rubbing out villains who treat good people badly.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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