Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.
Denzel Washington
American actor and filmmaker Denzel Washington has been on our screens for over four decades. This month, I take a look and review some of his hit films…
The Equalizer (2014)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
A hugely enjoyable and entertaining action film, even if the story and characters are a tad cliched and have been done before in other films. The plot is a typical ‘old man with military skills comes out of retirement to avenge someone he loves‘ akin to films like John Wick and Taken. However, the execution of the plot is brilliantly orchestrated with a towering performance from Denzel Washington and masterful direction from Antoine Fuqua. There are some brilliant lines and quotes from Denzel when he’s dispensing his ‘vigilante justice’, complemented by some ingeniously violent (and entertaining) action sequences. The electronic soundtrack, written by composer Harry Gregson-Williams, is also excellent, giving the film’s action and character scenes a contemporary feel.
Rating: 7/10
The Equalizer 2 (2018)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Unfortunately, an inferior and disappointing sequel on almost every account compared to the original. The action sequences, direction and acting remain excellent but the story and plot is boring, unengaging and badly written, almost giving off a ‘Denzel goes off to resolve different people’s problems‘ vibe. There is a great cast in this film (Pedro Pascal, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo) but the story doesn’t give them much to do and ultimately the film becomes more bland and convoluted. The third act and climactic battle sequences are however wonderfully shot, with a killer line from Denzel:
‘I’m gonna kill each and every one of you. And the only disappointment in it for me is that I only get to do it once.’
Rating: 3/10
Flight (2012)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
A compelling and engrossing drama film about a man’s battle with alcohol addiction, and the way in which it can distort people’s lives. Part action, part character study, Flight tells the story of how Captain Whip Whittaker (Denzel Washington) manages to miraculously crash land a plane from almost certain death but faces serious questions about his conduct before and during the flight. The opening 10-15 minute plane sequence, is absolutely terrifying and engrossing. The acting and screenwriting throughout is outstanding – particularly a scene in a hospital stairwell. Another highlight is the developing relationship between Whip and Nicole Maggen (Kelly Reilly), a recovering heroin addict, who tries to remain alcohol and drug-free whilst also to help and support Whip. However, the shining light undoubtedly is Denzel Washington in one of his career-defining performances on a harrowing personal journey that really makes the audience feel, empathise, cry and laugh with him throughout the film.
Rating: 8/10
Man on Fire (2004)
Director: Tony Scott
Hugely underrated and unknown by most audiences, Man on Fire is one of Denzel’s best action films. The storyline is a typical ‘action man goes on a rampage taking down gangsters and criminals after someone he loves is kidnapped‘, but this is a riveting and intense experience, brilliantly directed by action maestro Tony Scott. At the core of the film is the relationship between John W. Creasy (Denzel Washington), and the girl he’s instructed to protect, Pita (Dakota Fanning), and it is wonderful how their relationship develops and how Creasy becomes to mellow, love and care for Pita over time. The filming locations in Mexico City also give the film a somewhat grimy, dark and realist vibe that tell a story that could happen in real life. The second half of the film, where Creasy goes after the criminal syndicate, is incredibly riveting and compelling, and is a product of post 9/11 cinema. This is arguably Washington’s most intense acting performance in an action film and is highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10
Training Day (2001)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Academy Award Winner 2001 – Best Actor: Denzel Washington
A young and ambitious rookie cop, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) has been assigned to Los Angeles Detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), head of the narcotics team, for a one day evaluation. As the day progresses and the assignments become more dangerous, Hoyt starts to see his day as less of a test and more of a masterful, deadly set-up…
A gritty, violent, engrossing and thought provoking crime thriller. The film overall is well executed and made with a winning combination of exellent and stylish direction from Antoine Fuqua, an authentic, realistic and intriguing script from screenwriter David Ayer, and an outstanding and incredible perfomance from lead actor Denzel Washington.
The film’s core is the relationship between Alonzo Harris and Jake Hoyt, and how it changes throughout the course of the film as both characters are pushed towards more dangerous and unlawful assignments and tasks. There is also a strong tone of realism in the film, in that Fuqua actually filmed on location in some of the most dangerous neighbourhoods of LA, with support from members of the community and the police. This enhances the action scenes and supporting characters of the film, increasing the stakes for its protagonists and the dangers that they face. Key to this is Ethan Hawke’s performance as Jake Hoyt – it is incredible to see his transformation throughout the film from a fresh naive rookie cop, towards a hardened officer with an understanding of the realities of the criminal justice system. The film asks some hard questions, and rarely gives any easy answers or solutions. Its only real disappointment is the ending, which feels somewhat detached from the rest of the film in its implausability. Nonetheless Training Day is still an incredible and gritty film with one of Washington’s finest performances in his career.
Note – the 4K Ultra HD edition is being released by Warner Bros. Entertainment on 28 February 2023 (US) and is highly recommended.
Rating: 8/10
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Director: Tony Scott
A group of armed men hijack a New York City subway train and hold the passengers ransom demanding $10 million dollars, with MTA dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) eventually being made chief negotiator. It’s an intriguing premise thats been done before, in Joseph Sargeant’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), but here director Tony Scott has updated the storyline to the 21st century featuring the Internet, web cams, the stock market, and the 24/7 media, all hallmarks of a modern mertropolitan city.
Unfortunately, the film is let down by an average script with characters that lack emotional depth, with little in terms of spark, impact and tension when it comes to the hostages and kidnapping situations. The main and supporting cast are all let down with the script. Denzel Washington does his best as civil servant Walter Garber, who’s story is not as black and white as it seems. John Travolta gives a…strange performance as chief hijacker Ryder, but feels horribly miscast with an over the top performance with excessive profanity and violence, never really given the opportunity to explore his motivations, backstory or character in depth. The cat and mouse scenes between Washington and Travolta are excellent and somewhat engrossing but the tension unfortunately does fizzle towards the film’s climax. The supporting cast of John Turturro and James Gandolfini as hostage negotiator Camonetti and New York City mayor are good in their roles but aren’t given much to do sadly.
Overall the film seems to have sacraficed character development in lieu of mindless action sequences and its frenetic pace, which isn’t helped by Scott’s fast editing, saturated colours, obsessive camera shots, rap music, slow-mo and fast fowards. This tends to bewilder and confuse the audience rather than give the film some realism. The brainless action sequences around New York City are average (but funny) as well (note a police motorcycle crashes into a parked car), and have been done far better in Scott’s other films. The Taking of Pelham 123 is thus an entertaining watch that unfortunately derails as a result of its script. It’s like waiting for a train for 20 minutes, only to realise the train is missing half its carriages once you board.
Rating: 5/10
Unstoppable (2010)
Director: Tony Scott
Another brilliant and underrated action film from maestro Tony Scott. There’s an unstoppable runaway train with no driver, so veteran engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) and rookie conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine) are tasked with stopping it. There isn’t a moment wasted in the film’s 98 minute runtime, with the action starting only ten minutes into the film, and going full throttle from there til the end. As an action film it ticks all the boxes required – simple and easy to understand, entertaining, gripping and thrilling from start to finish for all audiences.
Director Tony Scott achieves two main objectives in the film brilliantly – one, emphasising the ordinary, everyday working class roots of its main characters who are faced with serious danger and peril; and two, laying out the catastrophic consequences of the situation if the train isnt stopped before it reaches larger towns and communities. Both Washington and Pine excell in their main roles as characters that must overcome their differences and work together to resolve the situation, whilst the supporting cast at HQ (Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn, Kevin Corrigan) are also good in trying to stop the train and seeking assistance from the authorities.
However, the film’s highlight by far is its action sequences and production design – everything here is real, be it the trains, the explosions, the crashes and the destruction, which is all filmed without CGI, and makes the film far more realistic and entertaining. As (sadly) Tony Scott’s final directed film, it certainly ended his career with a bang and is one his best (and underrated) films.
Rating: 8/10
Inside Man (2006)
Director: Spike Lee
A police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal’s brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation. Clive Owen plays Dalton Russell, a bank robber on a mission of revenge and retribution. Swiftly he and his crew take over a Lower Manhattan bank, with Detectives Frazier and Mitchell being assigned to the case (Denzel Washington and Chiwitel Ejiofor). When bank chairman Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) becomes aware of this, he recruits Manhattan powerbroker Madeline White (Jodie Foster) to protect his interests and secrets.
What appears to be a standard action crime thriller eventually unravels into something rather different and unconventional, testing the abilities and skills of its protagonists. You’ve been warned – there is a complex plot here with many twists and turns, but unfortunately the payoff and outcomes overall are bewildering, jarring and unsatisfying rather than entertaining. Overall this is a well made thriller and with good production values – the cast, direction, editing, production design and location filming are competent.
Unfortunately, the major issue is with the script from screenwriter Russell Gewirtz, which has a murky and unclear plot, never being sure of what story the film wants to tell in depth. I’m still not sure if Spike Lee wants the film to be an action thriller or a social commentary drama, but the combination here doesn’t work. Key to this is the thinly scripted characters – the lead actor trio of Washington, Owen and Foster are good in their roles, but the script lacks the character development and chemistry between them that is present in Denzel’s other films. In particular, the cat and mouse relationship between Washington and Owen’s characters is stilted due to their hollowness (you can see they’re trying their best though). There are also numerous plot holes throughout the film. The action sequences and twists are intense, well choreographed, shot and executed, but the stakes, tension and interest eventually fizzle out as the film progresses. Nonetheless there are some brilliant well crafted action scenes that make this a watchable film.
Rating: 6/10
Thanks for reading.
Andrew Reviews: Denzel Washington Movies – Part 2 is coming soon.
Andrew Reviews 