Equalizer, The (12/30/2014)

Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, including some sexual references.

Starring Denzel Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz and Bill Pullman

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Olympus Has Fallen, Shooter, Tears of the Sun and Training Day)

The Equalizer is a good guy that’s a bad dude.

In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a former black ops commando who has faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. When he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters. As he serves vengeance against those who brutalize the helpless, McCall’s desire for justice is reawakened. If someone has a problem, the odds are stacked against them, and they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

This action film brings Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua and the result was more intense than I imagined. I actually remember the TV series that ran for four seasons in the late 80’s. That show was great (from what I remember) but this movie was so much better.

I’m a sucker for underdog stories and heroes who defend the weak. This movie was right up my alley…plus I got to see Denzel be dark and mean like his roles in Training Day and Man on Fire. And like those other films, the violence is disturbing and relentless throughout the film.

One of the things that makes this film work is the antagonist. He is the creepy man that the mob sends to take care of their problems. And you know he has taken care of plenty of problems. He’s no nonsense and scary, but it’s so entertaining watching them hunt each other down.

But the star of the film is Denzel. He is just so entertaining and fun to watch…whether he is reading a classic novel or…something much worse.

Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington…in another great movie, but with all the violence I would say that it’s only worth a “Rental”.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No. The violence is graphic and disturbing and the F-word is used over 30 times.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. Although his methods are very violent and extreme, what good qualities does McCall display?

Read Matthew 25:31-46

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”



2. Who are some of the “least of these” that Robert cares for?


3. Who are the “least of these” in your school?


4. How can you care for them?