SummaryDivorced, single mother Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) uses her skills to help those find justice when the system fails them in this reimagining of the 1980s series of the same name.
SummaryDivorced, single mother Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) uses her skills to help those find justice when the system fails them in this reimagining of the 1980s series of the same name.
Robyn’s meet-gross with Jewel sets off a pleasingly complicated investigation and meting out of justice with more than enough explosions, costume changes, and social commentary to justify The Equalizer’s cushy premiere slot right after the Super Bowl.
Latifah’s empathetic performance makes The Equalizer extremely watchable, as does the rest of the cast. We just hope that the cases Robyn McCall gets get better as the season goes on.
I love Queen Latifah as an actor, so this role is a perfect marriage with her tough "bad ass" style character portrayal. I also love that we're seeing more women in lead roles as defenders of injustice. Not too sure about the sidekick choice in Adam Goldberg, but as he's only a supporting role character and not seen often, I'm hoping he can bring more "life" to the part than what he's given so far. All in all, very thankful they've been given the green light on season 2!
Script-wise, things are woeful. But the rest is great fun. It is another derivative but satisfying franchise that knows exactly what it is doing. Comfort watching in troubled times. Go out and find her.
It’s a high-quality cast of actors but they have little to do beyond dole out exposition that pushes the plot forward while supporting Robyn’s efforts to aid the helpless.
Borne out of the cult ‘80s CBS show starring Edward Woodward and 2014 blockbuster starring Denzel Washington, the 2021 iteration of “The Equalizer” mashes the two versions together to create a basic show that leans on its star to keep things interesting.
There's a comfortable mediocrity to the formula that should land with many viewers. Critics, on the other hand, are more likely to lament that with this cast, so much more might be possible. And Young Dan still thinks a talking car or high-tech helicopter wouldn't hurt.
This is a pretty racist and WOKE show. Bad guys are white while good guys are illegals, terrorists, and blacks. Women are the great ones while men are pretty much trash. 5'2" women don't beat up 6'4" special forces guys. Queel Latifah's family are pleasant and the only redeeming quality to this show. At least they look and act like a family. But, we'd give this a: "don't waste your time with this Hollywood and network trash; it gets pretty ugly at times."
*Sigh* A bit late to the party with my review but I'll keep it brief. I've always liked Queen Latifah. Bringing Down The House (back in pre woke 2003) was absolutely hilarious. The chemistry between her and Steve Martin and Eugene Levy was spot on. This "show" is clearly not The Equalizer I remember from the 80's. The writing is just... bad. The fighting is just... bad. I'm perplexed as to the reason Hollywood is continuing to ruin classic TV shows with these trash reboots.
This show is ridiculous! It is not believable that Queen Latifa is capable of the things she does on the show. Utter nonsense! And the whole "woman power" schtick is getting REALLY old. Stop trying to make women into men! Terrible casting, average writing. Hard pass.
Whilst I do like Queen Latifa, she is very talented, I do think the casting is a poor choice for this. If one word could be used to describe this show, its Implausible. The athletics - Implausible. The combat looks staged, and then there is all the politics I am intentionally sidestepping. I think I managed halfway through the first series before I had enough.
This is not to say a woman could not pull this off, but she would need to be lean and mean, like Vasquez from Aliens, Lashana Lynch and Grace Jones from 007, and countless other female action stars who look the part. I'm sorry but as great as Queen L is, a larger than life person pulling off those kinds of athletics and combat is just implausible, I mean I get out of breath having to run up a few flights of stairs! If you're going to peddle politics, at least make it plausible.