Finally, a network reboot that does not suck.
Yes, we’ve seen and reviewed many of them and frankly, these reboots and reimaginings have been fairly terrible and predictable. Whether it’s Walker or Magnum P.I. or Macgyver, these series all follow the formula of tossing a good-looking cast into gorgeously shot locations and filling every scene with fast cars, big explosions, paper-thin plots, and enough bad humor to make even the staunchest purveyor of dad jokes roll their eyes. At their best, these popcorn shows are for those who want nostalgia hooked into their veins. At worst, they’re excruciating exercises in the lack of creativity on network television.
However, when it comes to ratings and popularity, these shows tend to be juggernauts—just look at the staggering success of Walker’s debut only a few weeks ago.
In the second reboot of The Equalizer franchise, we actually get the best of both worlds. The series is able to tap into the nostalgia from the 1985-1989 series starring Edward Woodward (The Wicker Man, Hot Fuzz) but also the to-the-point action of the Denzel Washington film series; however, plot, character development, and intelligent dialogue are not sacrificed for fistfights and shootouts.
The main reason the series works is because of Queen Latifah (Chicago) in the title role. As Robin McCall, she’s not just a top former operative, she’s a single mother balancing the life of a more present parent to a teenage daughter and a crime fighter looking out for those in need. Latifah is able to imbue grace, humor, and sympathy into the role without ever falling into the tired “absent parent hated by their kid” or “parent fumbling their way through life” trope. We can see Latifah’s McCall struggle with her new life just through her body language and it’s really fun to watch.
Another undeniable aspect she brings to the show is her immediate chemistry with her talented supporting cast which includes Chris Noth (Sex and the City), Adam Goldberg (Saving Private Ryan), Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black), and Liza Lapira (Crazy Stupid Love). None of the introductions of the characters ever feels forced, nor do we get the usual reboot vibe of waiting for iconic characters to be reintroduced. This may be because many of the characters in this series didn’t appear in or have different names from characters in the series and films, so there is no expectation set. This could be the case, but Queen Latifah is also able to convey this feeling of history with her co-stars that allows you to believe they’ve known each other for years and have been through a lot together.
As for the actual plot of the premiere itself, it’s perfectly forgettable. There are some rogue agents who kill an attorney and an innocent witness who is framed for the murder, and it’s up to The Equalizer to save the day. It’s standard fare that really doesn’t stick to the ribs as much as the scenes of watching McCall operate and beat bad guys up. Queen Latifah proves she is an absolute badass in the role of a deadly government operative and fits the role naturally. One of the big problems in other reboots is oftentimes the lead actor/actress needs a number of episodes before truly fitting into this established lead role. This is not the case for Queen Latifah as she feels readymade for this part.
In short, The Equalizer is way better than advertised. It’s got a terrific leading woman commanding the series and an excellent supporting cast that can easily brush away some of the generic “bad guy of the week” storylines. Does it reinvent the television wheel in any way? No. Is it blow away, must-see destination television? Absolutely not. But in a world where networks are obsessed with rebooting old shows, The Equalizer should be the standard, not an outlier.
The Equalizer airs Sundays on CBS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgCBbz_hlkc
