Denzel Washington and Antwon Fuqua pair up for the first time since their 2001 Training Day Oscar win. Washington, the two-time gold statue winner, took home an academy award at the start of the millennium playing an under handed, narcotics officer and rogue detective -- aka bad guy, vying for Oscar Gold against then front runner and real life bad boy Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's Gladiator.
And while many critics had a blast juxtaposing the bible reading Washington opposite then party-goer Russell Crowe, an additional thought crossed the minds of many.
While some had much to say about Washington's win for playing an underhanded, corrupt police officer in order to win the attention of the academy of motion picture arts and sciences, (AMPAS) The question remained: Did he have to play in order to win big? In this coming weekend's The Equalizer, Denzel actually plays a good guy. And don't think I didn't ask him about that...
The Equalizer, based on a television show from the 80's, is reminiscent of another Denzel Washington favorite of yours truly, Man on Fire in that it is one I will likely watch multiple times over. Also in it he plays a justice keeper of sorts (no spoiler alerts here). But the similarities stop there.
Chloe Grace Moretz plays an under aged hooker under the strong grip of a Russian Pimp/Mob Boss who happens to lead one of the largest and most well protected crime rings across multiple continents.
She befriends Washington's character Robert McCall, finds favor in his eyes and winds up being the catalyst of his transformation from the person he once was, (a justice seeking killer) and vowed never again to revisit, back into a cold blooded executioner who seamlessly manages to finish off entire rooms full of criminals without using a gun in sight. Creative mastery.
Granted, there are several scenes we've seen before, including Denzel walking away from an exploding building while he takes on a swag worthy, cool as you please glide, walking out of frame after executing his rendition of justice. On the other hand, there is a ton here we have not seen that bears mentioning. Including one scene I asked Fuqua to describe his shot process on below that Denzel admitted even he wants to steal for an up coming flick. The cinematography at times is stunning. In true film fashion, Fuqua is expert at telling a story with no words... only shots
Take a look at my exclusive sit down with the dynamic pair discussing the role that's already generating early Oscar buzz for what is arguably this generations greatest actor.