The Equalizer (2014)

Awards
- 1 win & 9 nominations

Trivia
The script originally had no back story about Robert, so Denzel Washington contributed much to the character's background and back story, including McCall having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition to his daily physical and fight training before filming, Washington met and interviewed several real-life OCD sufferers in order to gain insights on how to play that disorder correctly.

Goofs
The quote shown at the start of the movie, "The two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why." is attributed to Mark Twain whereas the source of this quote is actually unknown.

Quotes
Robert McCall: When you pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too.

Crazy credits
The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why. -- Mark Twain

Alternate versions
The UK cinema, DVD and Blu-ray versions are cut for violence to secure a 15 rating, removing or reducing the following:
The closeup of the corkscrew being pushed further into Tevi's mouth, and the final shot of his face right before it's withdrawn.
The first shot of the mercenary bleeding and choking on the barbed wire noose.
Columbia made additional cuts in two more scenes, which appear not to have been requested by the BBFC:
A closeup of Teddy beating Little John's bloodied face twice, and a shot from behind that shows him readying another punch.
The gangster being impaled through the neck was shortened at the start and end.
The six cuts total approximately 15 seconds. The UK Ultra HD Blu-ray is uncut and rated 18.

Connections
Featured in The Equalizer: A Villain's Psychosis (2014)

Soundtracks
Sixteen
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (as Jay Hawkins), Chris Ellul, Kelvin Swaby, Daniel Taylor (as Dan Taylor) and Spencer Page
Performed by The Heavy
Courtesy of Counter Records
By arrangement with Zync Music Group LLC

Denzel Washington made this film better than it was

So I just finished watching Equalizer (EQ1) again, so I can watch Equalizer 2 (EQ2) for the comparison.

It's too bad both films had the same director and writers, as they have a bad habit of dragging out the writing and the scenes. Both films at just over 2 hours is just way too long, especially in the simplistic singular plot or EQ1. However, that plot still worked, and mainly because of the entire casts especially Denzel Washington's performance(s). EQ2 certainly had better pacing and a more suspenseful plot - albeit predictable, however it had many plot issues and holes as well as some scenes that needed to be edited down. The new supporting cast was not as strong either.

Which did I enjoy better? Probably EQ1 by a small margin, but they both got an 8/10 from me, as they each had their merits and issues. Nevertheless still enjoyable. I hope if they come out with a EQ3, they speed up the pacing within the writing and directing.