Review Roundup: Denzel Washington Stars in THE EQUALIZER

Straight off his acclaimed performance in the recent Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun", actor Denzel Washington heads back to the big screen in the new action thriller THE EQUALIZER.

Based on the the television series of the same name, Washington stars as a retired intelligence officer (played by Edward Woodward in the '80's TV show), who wants to distance himself from his days on the Special Forces. But after meeting Teri, a young girl wrapped up in the Russian gang scene, he decides to come out of retirement to rescue her, once again resuming his title of 'The Equalizer'.

In addition to Denzel Washington, the film features Chloe Grace Moretz, Marton Csokas, David Harbour, and Haley Bennett.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

A.O. Scott, The New York Times: We can persuade ourselves that we are watching the spectacle of enacted justice rather than the sentimentalization of a homicidal sociopath.

Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post: In another movie, Washington's McCall might have been the beginning of a promising new franchise. But, even drenched in blood and fake rain, this "Equalizer" leaves its star - and the audience - high and dry.

Richard Corliss, Time: No memories of the 1986 TV series, starring Edward Woodward as McCall, are needed to enjoy this virulently lively thriller.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: The movie serves up the dodgiest have-your-cake-and-eat-it menu: you get to see the women brutalised and assaulted,and also the men, the second spectacle presumably justified by the first. And all quite without any insight or perspective.

Bruce Handy, Vanity Fair: Not only is The Equalizer a satisfying, meat-and-potatoes action film in which good use is made of a nail gun; it may also feature Hollywood's first normcore hero-consciously normcore, that is.

Scott Foundas, Variety: Ponderously overlong and not even half as much fun as it should have been, "The Equalizer" still gets a lot of mileage out of Washington's unassailable star presence, which should translate to solid if not spectacular returns upon the pic's Sept. 26 release.

Rafar Guzman, Newsday: Making "The Equalizer" truly groan-worthy are its many subplots, each a tidy little episode with a heartwarming ending.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: So this "Equalizer" is a brooding, brutal origin tale, one that starts well but steadily caves into genre clichés. It's a B-movie sheep in A-movie clothing, acceptable meathead mayhem as long as you know what you're paying for.

Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Sun: This movie is obviously not for the faint-hearted. It is violent and even nasty. The elaborately staged scenes depicting the many gory killings bridge the modern horror and action genres.

James Rochhi, The Wrap: Willfully empty but wildly entertaining, "The Equalizer" stands out from its peers like a wolf among lapdogs, as Fuqua and Washington bring out the best in each other for the benefit of the audience.

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