Lone wolf on a mission

The Equalizer 22 starsDirector: Antoine FuquaStars: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton SandersDuration: 121 minsClass: 15KRS Releasing Ltd

There is no doubt that Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors working today. In a career spanning almost four decades, he has amassed a plethora of awards for the numerous deep and complex roles he has portrayed, including many real-life figures.

From the early notices he received as anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko in 1987’s Cry Freedom, to his Academy-Award nominated directorial effort Fences (2016) and the 50 or so films in between, Washington has consistently imbued his performances with intensity, feeling, intelligence and effortless charisma.

This is true whether he’s a historical figure, lawyer, journalist, gangster, sportsman, father, husband, lover, always with complete commitment to the character; oftentimes ‘being’ rather than merely performing. So it is a bit of a disappointment to watch what amounts to a comparatively sub-par performance in The Equalizer 2.

This is the first sequel Washington has attempted in his career and it probably says much that he returns to the role he played for the first time in 2014 for...