This is based on an 80’s tv series. In it, John McCall, the Equalizer was a one-man A-Team Samaritan, going around helping people who were in too deep, fell through the cracks or couldn’t approach the police and get help through normal channels.
Funnest of facts, the 80's show was with an older british man, well they actually asked Denzel to be in it, and Denzel said he would have done it if not for the fact he was on a big 80's hospital drama called St. Elsewhere.
In the 1950s, Alan Ladd (SHANE, the 3 classic noir detective films with Veronica Lake) created a radio-show called BOX 13, in which Ladd was a burned-out crime-reporter that was convinced there were 'better stories out in the city' than the fluff pieces his editor wanted. So, Ladd advertised, "Got a problem? Got a story? Write me at Box 13" and each show would solve that mystery or expose the criminals. Wonderful series. And perhaps all of the detective tales were based on some hired-hero saving the day.
The fact that he stays silent and his face never changes makes him terrifying. They couldn't find a better person for the role. Denzel nailed this role! ❤
The Equalizer trilogy is truly fantastic. Whilst the world isn't as deep or rich as something like John Wick, Denzel is as captivating as ever and you really care for him and those around him. Each movie brings its own flavour to the table, definitely worthwhile watching all three. Thanks for the reaction as always!
The book Robert is reading at 5:59 , a "man who thinks he is a knight in shining armor but lives in a world where there are no nights anymore" is *DON QUIXOTE* , written in 1605 by Miguel de Cervantes. It is considered the first modern novel in history.
@@JHolland I agree with you. The Equalizer is a almost real, human story. John Wick is a gothic, comic-book, dark superhero story... just like HANNAH said. So I prefer THE EQUALIZER.
My father died in June of this year. This was his favorite series. He always told me he wanted to see the third one with me that came out a day after his birthday, Sept 30th. I watched it with him by me in spirit and you guys need to check out Equalizer 2 and the newest, 3. 3 might be the best one out of the 3, in my opinion. Great reaction!
Watched this video as love the series too then a little look at comments, never reply but need to, Bless you, that’s touching, can’t even imagine that, he definitely did watch it with you in spirit, hoping you all the best matey
My father also died in June 2023. Like a former teacher and current friend of mine said, “it’s a horrible club to be a part of”. I share similar feelings about Dune Part 2, coming out at the end of the month. My father loved Dune, novel and Lynch film, and we’d watched the recent Part 1 together. I’ve never been a person of faith but I’ve felt his presence from time to time and I have no doubt you felt the same way when watching Equalizer 3. Details vary, but the tragedy is the same and these moments serve to, in a way, preserve the beauty of life when everything seems bleak, which now it does. Paying continued respect and honor to their memories is the way to keep going.
Ash, that nail gun in the end actually uses real gunpowder cartridges to drive nails into concrete. So it's not just a regular nail gun. It's an UBER nail gun! Love yours and Hannah's reactions. Keep it up!
Hannah, the respect you felt for the big guy who gave Denzel a hard fight deserved the respect. Actor Tait Fletcher has the distinct honour of being killed by both The Equalizer and Baba Yaga. John Wick pulled his beard and slammed his head on a table, shot him point blank into his ear in the battle at the Red Circle club! The Equalizer is based on one of the best TV series in the 80s. This movie captured the entire series almost perfectly. The tagline which he placed as a newspaper ad for people in distress: “Odds against you? Call The Equalizer.” Coming home from work late at night, whenever I felt nervous about the suspicious people on the streets, I reminded myself of the various lessons by Robert McCall in the TV series.”Walk with confidence, don’t act like a victim, stay in the light, avoid dark alleys, pay attention to the people around you”.
Have you seen "The book of Eli"? Denzel Washington learned Filipino martial arts for that movie in 2010, he's really good at that, enough to do this movie series. I agree with you, this movie has a more realistic tone than the Wick series, Wick universe is more a fantastic one, here The Equalizer lives in the actual world with enemies according. Had a great time watching it with you guys, hugs from Chile
About sciatica: My wife was completely incapacitated with it about 8 or 9 years ago. Although morphine helped her sleep, the thing that really made it go away was walking. She went to physical therapy and they had her walk on a treadmill with some stretching too. As she did this, the sciatica progressively went away.
I had my sciatic nerve pinched around September last year. Felt like someone was nonstop dragging a knife up and down my leg and went 3 days without sleep before finally getting morphine lol Even then it was rough. Ever since then i get such huge amounts of anxiety and dread if my leg gets sore in that area thinking itll be as bad as before lol
You gotta stretch y'all! And make sure the vit d and magnesium levels are correct. :) I don't wanna sound like a commercial but yoga saved my spine. I should be in a ton of pain or on drugs.
@Itsunclegabby Yesssss that's the ONLY thing that helped mine. And I'm in recovery (almost 8 years off opiates) so I was terrified to take morphine or anything for it. If it weren't for yoga and walking, I would definitely be on pain pills. Scary to think about but that pain is the second worse thing I've had happen, second ONLY to a kidney stone
I watched the original '80s series that this movie was based on. I had liked that show, but Denzel Washington took it to a new level! I really enjoyed his take on the character the best! He's what I imagine Robert McCall to be. Also, wait till you guys see "The Equalizer 2", especially the opening scene. Denzel Washington is such a unique figure in Hollywood, he's one of a few, everything he touches just pure gold. He's truly amazing.
I feel like this trilogy was made for Ash. He's gonna love all 3 😂 Hannah is gonna enjoy all 3 too but I think the 3rd one is gonna be her favorite. The 2nd one might be Ash's. Those are my predictions, either way Im gonna enjoy it!! 💛💚
What makes this, (and the TV series it’s based on), work so well is that it is revenge on the bullies - it’s basically revenge porn for people who have experienced bullies. That’s why it’s so satisfying for the audience, that’s what stands out about it compared to say John Wick. The Equalizer is all about helping ordinary people who can’t fend for themselves in the face of evil. And yes, there are two more movies in the franchise - so far.
There is not a better actor than Denzel Washington... it's a must that any reaction Channel reacts to all of Denzel's hit movies. The Equalizer is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Can't wait for equalizer 2
Which is pretty much all of denzels films, I mean I have been surprised by watching genres I'm not even interested in but somehow denzel did it again, and made it feicking awesome ahaha
"The Jackal" (1997) with Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, & Jack Black Highly underrated & unappreciated spy/assasin movie in my opinion (To be fair, the late 90s had a lot of bangers so it flew under the radar)
You should both enjoy the sequel to this one. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend Man On Fire. That film is actually based on real life. Denzel does very well playing roles where righteous retribution is needed.
Yes, you need to the sequels. Equalizer 2 marked the first time Denzel had ever done a sequel and re-teaming with Antoine Fuqua for the first time since Training Day. They have now worked together 5 times.
He shot nikolai with a pin gun. It uses typically .22 blanks to drive pins through treated lumber down to a concrete slab. We were on a job once and some metal framers were fastening metal studs onto a wall and they accidentally shot a pin perfectly through a crack in the concrete wall and went straight through the head of a receptionist sitting at her desk in the room right next to where the renovating was being done and was killed instantly. Those tools are no joke. They are classified as firearms and you need to be certified to operate them.
Great to see you guys getting into The Equalizer. If you are looking for more of this emerging "genre", ie. the retired badass with a certain set of skills, take a look at these (if they haven't been mentioned already): - Nobody with Bob Odenkirk (yes, the Better Call Saul guy) - Riders of Justice with Mads Mikkelsen (its in Danish with subtitles, have you done a subtitled movie before?)
You're right about the emerging genre, where it's comparable to John Wick-esque, but certainly not James Bond or Jason Bourne. Just watched for the first time last week after years of recommendations thinking it'd be "budget John Wick" and loved it. Watched Nobody this afternoon and pleasantly surprised, too. Will definitely check your last suggestion.
Love Ash's quip, "That was a textbook killing!" Hilarious, man! Nicolai sent a message by beating up Little John; Robert McCall is sending messages throughout this entire movie.
Equalizer 2 (2018) is good too than Equalizer 3 (2023) takes it to a whole another level, better than 1 & 2. Equalizer 3 is so good that it will have you questioning whether Denzel is the villain in the movie. Insane!!!!
I agree this was more grounded. Wick started for revenge for himself and Equalizer for someone else. My grandmother loved the original series! You have to watch the other 2...3 has a kind of call back to Man on Fire.
33:47 It's probably suppressive fire. To keep the enemy pinned and panicked while someone else breaks cover to move up or flank or gain a positional advantage. The enemy will stick to cover and likely wont see where your buddies have moved to nor be in a position to shoot them effectively. It is also a way to cover a retreat, keeping the enemy pinned in place.
This is based on a TV series from the 80's. In the series he actually worked as a private eye. He was a retired spy, but he was a Cold War expert at spy-craft type of spy, not a hand-to-hand combat expert. Each episode he would try to help someone who needs help that the police or other P.I.'s couldn't provide.
In the original show, Frank McCall had a newspaper classified ad that read, "Got a Problem? Odds Against You? Call the Equalizer" with his phone number.
Hello Guys big admirer of your work. So this franchise has two sequels. I also want to give you so facts. So the Equalizer first was a TV series here in the states back in the 80s. The Robert McCall was a former British spy that help ppl in NYC when no one else could. The dis a remake the tv series which currently still going it stars Queen Latifah in the lead role. Lastly,Denzel Washington is for the same city im from its called Mount Vernon,NY. He one of many celebrities for here. We, citizens of Mount Vernon New York are very proud of him. He's a standard-bearer of the city of Mount Vernon. Definitely one of them. He never forgets where it comes from. He always represents mount vernon to the fullest and we love him for it
You definitely should watch the sequels but if you want an amazing movie like these too you have to watch Nobody. One of the greatest movies of this style ever.
@31:55 Ash is half right: "Bouncing Betty" is the English name for the WWII German S-Mine, an antipersonnel mine that was designed to bounce up into the air to a height of about 1.2 meters and explode, spraying lethal shrapnel into the thorax of anyone nearby. But he's still half wrong, in that the wire across the aisle is properly called a trip mine, where a wire across a pathway or around a boundary triggers some other kind of directional mine such as a Claymore.
There's a funny scene in Wolf of Wall Street where Belfort's father is trying to watch the original series on television when getting interrupted by a phone car.
Speaking of Sherlock Hannah, Ash I think you and Hannah should definitely watch Sherlock Holmes 2009 film. It’s an amazing film that is underrated and not reacted to by many. Also, Sherlock is played by Robert Downey Jr. I also can’t wait for you guys to watch Equaliser 2. Love watching your reactions guys.
As a 40 year old single man with no kids...yes he is happy. My Sociology teacher in high school was a former Special Operator and knew Jujutsu and would teach us.
You can't beat a great story with emotional responses from three dimensional characters no matter the genre that the story is set in. Genre is merely the set dressing. The characters and the arc of their journey that they let you go on with them as a passenger is the important thing.
People think The Equalizer copied John Wick, when they both came out the same year. Bob and John: Denzel and Keanu were creating movies that demanded sequels.
Morbid little fact the bridge at 6:00 where they Denzel and the girls are walking opens up for boats to go through, on one day a few years ago a lady was walking across and the bridge operator din`t see her on it and opened the bridge, the lady was crushed to death by the opening mechanism of the bridge (East Boston, MA). I used to live by the gas station at 6:12 (end of the block) many years ago. Up the hill from it is the location where Paul revere saw the British arriving in the Boston Harbor (The British are coming!) during the revolutionary war!
Ive invented a drinking game for when I watch y’all’s reactions. It’s called SFS (shots for symbolism’s) every time ash says “symbolisms”, you take a shot 😂 I get pretty toasted
The main parallel between Robert and John Wick is that they gave up a life of violence for their wife, the love of their life. She dies. Then they are drawn back in.
It’s based on the TV show from the 1980s about a guy who is a CIA operative Although in the show, he is much older and doesn’t do a lot of physical stuff But it’s the same premise, and it was a great show
INJECT THIS INTO MY VEINS! Ash and hannah reacting to equalizer finally! Never clicked on a youtube thumbnail faster, thing ive bruised my thumb lol 😂😎
1:48 Denzel's character is the Equalizer because evil men have taken power over a situation that he needs to use good to fix. It's bringing balance to the aspect of good and evil when evil currently has the upper hand in the situation. It's like when Anakin throws Palapatine off the ledge to his death in Episode 6 of Star Wars where he finally fulfills the prophecy of him bringing balance to the force by ending the evil reign of Palpatine. Well until Disney effed that up.
38:35 That is the cliffhanger right there. These movies picks up where the other one left off. You will see who needed help at the very beginning of The Equalizer 2. No spoilers,but napkins or tissues might come in handy (for the lady,not a movie reference lol)One of the few movie franchises where the movies gets better with each release. You get to learn more about Robert McCall too,its just brilliant storytelling down to the teeth!
