Reviews

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  ★★★½ review by Matt Singer on Letterboxd

  This is what is going to happen. This ridiculous, hilarious movie is going to play on cable. You are going to reluctantly watch it. You're going to end up watching the whole thing even though you have other things to do. Then it's going to play on cable again, and you're going to watch it again, particularly the later scenes when it basically becomes HOME ALONE in Home Depot (a.k.a. Home Depot Alone). You are going to repeat this several times. You might feel guilty about it, you probably won't tell anyone; if a loved one comes in the room while it's on TV you might even change the channel. But in your heart of hearts, you will have to admit that this movie is kind of awesome.

  Trust me on this. It's going to happen.

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  ★★★½ review by Todd Gaines on Letterboxd

  Sometimes you just want to work at the Home Depot by day and shoot somebody in the head with a nail gun by night.

  Denzel's character is complex. It's a good chance he's OCD, he has a mysterious past, likes to help hookers, is an avid reader and he's a weight loss coach. He also has super killer instinct vision. Trust me, you don't want to make him angry.

  I like the way Antoine Fuqua makes it appear Denzel is fighting like a Terminator boss. Using close quarters combat, tools such as hammers to the head and other equipment you find on aisle 8 of Home Depot; the illusion of Denzel's badassery is the highlight of the film.

  Boston is one of my favorite movie settings. The Departed, Gone Baby Gone and The Town are just a few examples of Boston Strong. I think the movie is 15 minutes too long. Some parts felt stretched out. Why are the Russians always the bad guys? Why not the Swiss or the Canadians? I'm surprised with Chloe Grace Moretz. Her role is smaller than I thought. However, I think she was the right choice.

  The movie is gritty, bloody and intense. The music feels like 1999 Linkin Park. That's either a plus or a negative. I dig the beat. There's a scene that makes it rain like you're a big baller VIP in your favorite Vegas strip club. It's also an example of the "Stranger Things Effect." Is David Harbour lights out in a role most would call flat as 5 day old Coca-Cola? I think he's fantastic. Am I the only one suffering from this disorder?

  I had fun. I do think this one works so well because of Denzel. I remember the tv series, but not a lot of the details. I doubt the fella was as handy with a nail gun as Mr Washington. I want a sequel. Get out your power tools!

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  ★★★½ review by James Haves on Letterboxd

  Just so you know, that's not a gun he's holding in this poster.

  That's a fucking nail gun.

  And he uses it.

  I like this movie.

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  ★★★★ review by Tim Portis on Letterboxd

  Taking the basic premise of the 80's television series with Edward Woodward, director Antoine Fuqua has brought the Equalizer bang up to date with Denzel Washington.

  Washington plays former black ops Robert MCall. Having put his past behind him and working in a home depot store, McCall is pressed into action again when he comes to the aid of Teri played by Chloe Grace Moretz.

  This is Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua's first film together since the excellent Training Day. A film which earned Washington his second oscar. Though there will be no oscars this time around, this is a highly entertaining thriller. The action is well handled and there are a fair few laughs along the way.

  Most important of all in an age where we have numerous sanitised sequels of Die Hard and The Expendables, it is refreshing to see a proper R-rated action film where the violence actually feels and looks real.

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  ★★★½ review by matt lynch on Letterboxd

  so wonderfully, sturdily stupid, like, what if there was this guy who was really good at murder so let's set up a few rows of obvious scumbag dominos for him to knock over. gleefully violent and shot through with moments of grace like a massive explosion that would likely make national news for weeks or an ostentatious crane move covering a henchman being hanged with barbed wire.

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