The Equalizer ★★★½

THE character of former soldier and intelligence officer turned lone vigilante was created for British television in the 1980s.

Unfortunately, I don’t recall the McCall played by the late Edward Woodward, who is also best known for another television series, Callan, and the lead role in the original 1973 version of The Wicker Man.

In 2014, director Antoine Fuqua and lead actor Denzel Washington revitalised the character in The Equalizer as a retired U.S. Marine and DIA Officer who reluctantly gets involved with protecting a teenage prostitute, played very well by Chloë Grace Moretz, from the Russian mafia.

McCall is trying to lead a quiet life, working in a hardware store and by night reading at home or in a local diner, ordering the same specific tea every time. It’s here that he meets Teri.

When she is severely beaten McCall tries to buy her freedom but is forced to defend himself with deadly ramifications for his attackers. This, of course, brings him into conflict with the ruthless mafia bosses and their lieutenant.

Highlight in terms of action is a ferociously calculated assault by McCall that turns the tables on the team of assailants swarming the hardware store. McCall takes the tools and despatches the villains in R-rated Home Alone style.

Violence aside, Fuqua and writer Richard Wenk take some time to build the character of McCall around a typically entertaining performance from their star.

Two sequels ensued and a prequel is planned.