The Equalizer 2: Box Office HIT!
To say that the last couple of weeks have been an amazing ride would be a gross understatement!
On July 20th, The Equalizer 2 starring Denzel Washington was debuted in movie theaters nationwide. The Columbia Pictures release promptly soared to #1 at the box office. This was on one of the most competitive weekends of the summer, going up against other major releases like Mama Mia! Here We Go Again. And any time you go up against Meryl Streep in a serious chick-flick classic, you know you're facing stiff competition. |
The Equalizer 2 was directed by Antoine Fuqua, bringing him together with Denzel once again after great successes with Training Day, The Magnificent Seven, and the first Equalizer movie. Joining Denzel this time is an incredible supporting cast that includes Bill Pullman, Melissa Leon, Pedro Pascal, Orson Bean, and Ashton Sanders.
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The script by Richard Wenk gets things started with a bang (or should I say a "slash"?) as the character of "Robert McCall" springs into action, letting the audience know immediately that as quiet and calm as McCall is, he's not one to be trifled with. As one of the producers, I hope you'll forgive me for saying that the film's production values and action sequences are nothing short of stunning.
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But what truly sets The Equalizer 2 apart from the usual action-thriller fare is the character of McCall as Denzel plays him. A major component of the film is a character study of Robert McCall. This is a man with a lot of baggage, a man with a recent personal anguish and emotional depth...who, once driven to avenge a loss, does exactly that no matter the odds against him.
Rarely does an audience have a chance to understand the motivations driving an action hero to action. There are moments in the movie where there the only action is in the faces of the characters. One scene in particular between Denzel and Ashton Sanders--filled with the potential for violence suppressed by an overwhelming love--is the stuff of Oscar nominations! |
 Edward Woodard, the original Robert McCall, 1985
When I co-created The Equalizer for CBS-TV back in 1985 with Richard Lindheim, I never imagined Robert McCall would still be speaking to an audience. I think the key to the success of McCall as a character is that, like all of us, he faces challenges in his everyday life. What sets him apart and makes him a true hero is that--while he vanquishes the bad guys--most importantly, he gives us all the one thing we need: Hope.
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On opening weekend, I saw the movie for the first time in a Manhattan theater with the most critical audience I could find: my wife Melissa Anderson, my son Griffin, and my daughter Piper and her husband Jeb. As industry "insiders" (living with me, they've seen and heard it all!), I wasn't expecting much enthusiasm from them. Remarkably, however, when the lights went up in the theater, they joined the rest of the audience in rousing applause.
I'm sure at that point I blushed with embarrassed pride... 
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