Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Denzil Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Orson Bean, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Jonathan Scarfe, Sakina Jaffrey, Kazy Tauginas, Garrett Golden, Adam Karst, Tamara Hickey, Jim Loutzenhiser, Rory Benjamin Smith, Ted Arcidi, Karen York.

A cinematic sequel can always leave the impression that producers and the Box-office have either found a formula that works, so much so that they want to milk it for every penny possible, or that, unforgivably, they have run out of credible ideas and just using the film to generate time. It is expected, it has its own reasons to be so, and yet quite often you might find that, in amongst the darkness of such studio abandon, comes a rough diamond, a nugget of challenging gold in which to shape to resemble the times we live in. It is that reflection that The Equalizer 2 can hold its head above the parapet and not receive too many wounds for its pains.

The fear of being type-cast, or at least playing a similar character as has been taken on before is always a nagging doubt with any actor, the range perhaps being seen in the eyes of some directors and casting agents as only suitable for playing one type of scheming or agenda filled antagonist; yet for all that concern, Pedro Pascal, who has quite rightly received attention in the films The Great Wall, (despite the films overall lacklustre appearance), and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, plays the part of McCall’s former partner with assurance and increasing bitter menace.

It is though to Denzil Washington in which the films holds firmly on to its sincere belief and integrity, that will not come as any surprise to the cinema going public, for whom almost forty years have been treated to one of the most resounding and complete actors of his generation being a staple of the industry and the passionate stories witnessed.

Although The Equalizer 2 is a long way from the incredible 2016 film Fences, or indeed his performances in the classic Philadelphia, Cry Freedom and the arguably career defining Malcolm X, it nevertheless shines a light once again into the way that Mr. Washington takes to the script presented to him and challenges absolutely the perception of the role, the gravitas in which he brings the piece to the audience.

There has always been something fundamental to Denzil Washington’s acting, playful in all respects, an easy-going charm certainly, but like his character Robert McCall, he stretches and wrings every emotion possible out of the man, steady, a man to have on your side, but one who will destroy you with a single piece of brilliance should you underestimate him.

Rarely is a film superior to its prequel, there have been notable exceptions, but by and large the public arguably senses that the film is made just to cash in on some success made; not so with The Equalizer 2, the tension is taut and extreme, the humility of the cast refreshing, and there is a tremendous positive aside that the direction and back story of the film stands up completely to the original television series starring the much missed Edward Woodward.

A film in which gets under your skin is to be admired, The Equalizer 2 revels in its ability to rough you up, but leaving you asking for more.

Ian D. Hall