The Equalizer 2 Blu-ray Review

"The Equalizer 2" on Blu-ray is an exceptional visual treat, featuring a reference-quality 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that stands out as one of the premier releases of the year. Capturing the essence of high-quality digital cinematography, the film showcases stunning sharpness and remarkable detail, including pores, facial creases, and intricacies in clothing. Environmental textures, from brick walls to city streets, appear meticulously detailed, enhancing the immersive experience. The picture maintains a consistent level of brilliance and sharpness throughout, with only occasional source-related soft focus spots and minimal low-light noise.

The film's color palette predominantly features cool blues and earth tones but also impresses with vibrant primaries that pop off the screen. Red blood sprays and clothing details are especially notable. The blacks are deep and rich, providing excellent contrast that amplifies the overall cinematic quality. The scan is clean with no noticeable compression or encoding issues, ensuring a visually flawless experience. Nighttime scenes are rendered beautifully with rich black levels, preserving detail even in the darkest corners.

Presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this Blu-ray excels in delivering vivid visuals despite the film's darker thematic elements. The brightness levels contribute to a three-dimensional effect, making every scene feel lifelike and dynamic without diminishing the shadows' depth and detail. This release from Sony is an absolute must-have for Blu-ray enthusiasts, offering a near-perfect alternative for those without UHD playback capability.

For the Blu-ray release of "The Equalizer 2", Sony delivers a reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, despite reserving the Dolby Atmos track for the UHD version. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix is exceptional and does not fall short in terms of audio fidelity and immersion. The opening train sequence in Turkey is a standout moment, with immersive surround sound that incorporates the ambient noise of a rattling train, giving a palpable sense of reality. This sequence highlights the impeccably designed front sound stage, with crystal-clear dialog that remains flawlessly mixed among ferocious action sequences and a robust, though not overbearing, low end.

The soundscape is layered with an array of atmospherics that create a true-to-life environment. Whether it’s the reverb from McCall's "bullet time" action shots or the bustling commotion of city traffic in Massachusetts, the world ambience is seamlessly integrated. Highlights include McCall's apartment complex’s close-quarter sounds, rolling thunder in chapter five, and deep bass blasts that dominate the listening area in chapter eight. There is a remarkable use of reverb and room-consuming background details such as blaring sirens and rustling leaves, which are engineered with exceptional balance and lifelike quality.

Throughout the film, the audio track engages every speaker, providing an expansive and encompassing 360° soundfield. The directionality and placement are outstanding, with precise imaging across the three front channels and an extensive mid-range that maintains clarity even during the film’s most intense moments. The system impresses with sharp highs and detailed mids, especially notable during the climactic hurricane finale. The low end is sensationally powerful, delivering a palpable presence that can dig below 20Hz. Dialogue remains well prioritized and clear amidst the chaos. Overall, this DTS-HD MA 7.1 track stands as the pinnacle of lossless audio, offering one of the year's finest auditory experiences.

The extra features on "The Equalizer 2" Blu-ray provide a compelling array of additional content that enhances the viewer's experience. The suite includes an in-depth Retribution Mode, where viewers can enjoy the film with intermittent behind-the-scenes insights from Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua. Additionally, there are 11 deleted and extended scenes offering more context and depth to the narrative. Shorter featurettes like "Denzel as McCall: Round Two," which explores Washington's approach and performance, and "Seconds Till Death: Action Breakdown," showcasing the meticulous crafting of the film’s action sequences, add value. Moreover, "Through Antoine's Lens: The Cast" gives a detailed look at the characters, while the Equalizer Trivia track provides an engaging assortment of on-screen facts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Retribution Mode: An in-film making-of/behind-the-scenes/commentary.
• Deleted & Extended Scenes: Includes 11 additional scenes.
• Denzel as McCall: Round Two: Looks at Washington's performance and character details.
• The Equalizer 2 Pop-Up Trivia Track: An informative trivia track.
• Seconds Till Death: Action Breakdown: A breakdown of the film’s action sequences.
• Through Antoine's Lens: The Cast: Explores story and character development.
• Two NBA Promos: Humorous auditions and behind-the-scenes footage.

This content-rich package will undeniably enrich fans' appreciation of the film.

Antoine Fuqua’s The Equalizer 2 strives to recapture the riveting storytelling and character depth of its predecessor, but unfortunately falls short. While Denzel Washington once again delivers a compelling performance as Robert McCall, the ex-government operative turned vigilante, the sequel lacks the narrative vigor and emotional resonance that characterized the first film. Washington’s portrayal of McCall's complex, brooding nature with moments of vulnerability is deeply engaging. However, the sequel’s storyline, which shifts McCall from a hardware store employee to a Lyft driver who aids those in need, struggles to maintain momentum and predictably unfolds into a personal revenge plot following the murder of his close friend, Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo).

The sequel lays out an initially intriguing setup, with McCall encountering various walks of life through his Lyft service and protecting the innocent. Yet, as it pivots to a murder investigation involving his past life and former CIA colleague Dave York (Pedro Pascal), the plot becomes overly predictable and scattered. The script by Richard Wenk introduces various subplots, such as McCall mentoring at-risk youth Miles (Ashton Sanders), that feel redundant and dilute the main narrative. The emotional stakes of the climax fail to mirror the intensity and connection felt in the initial movie, rendering the third act clinical rather than gripping.

Technically, The Equalizer 2 maintains Fuqua’s adept action choreography, though it lacks the precision and thrill that marked his previous works. The film’s pacing issues and failure to develop more engaging antagonists result in a less rewarding experience. While it provides some satisfactory action sequences and reaffirms McCall's vigilante justice ethos, it ultimately falls short of its potential. Repetitive story elements and lumbering subplots weigh down what could have been a taut continuation of McCall’s journey.

"The Equalizer 2" on Blu-ray showcases a solid continuation of the franchise with Denzel Washington delivering his expected captivating performance. However, the film lacks the emotional depth and nuanced character interactions that made the original standout. The narrative, while supported by some intense action sequences, often feels procedural and struggles to engage with a compelling storyline, particularly in the subplot involving McCall's teenage mentee. Despite these narrative shortcomings, the film's climatic battle is executed excellently and stands as a highlight.

The technical specifications of the Blu-ray release are exemplary. The video presentation is crisp, maintaining a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with impeccable clarity and color balance that enhances the viewing experience. The audio quality is equally impressive, featuring English DTS-HD MA 7.1 among other language options, all contributing to a reference-quality auditory experience. Subtitles are available in multiple languages, making the release accessible to a broad audience. The disc also comes supplemented with a respectable amount of extra content that will particularly appeal to fans of behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, "The Equalizer 2" is a competent action film that is ultimately overshadowed by its predecessor. While the story may not reach the same heights of emotional resonance and engagement, it is bolstered by Washington's strong performance and impressive technical execution in its Blu-ray presentation. The action sequences and high-quality audio-visual elements make it a decent watch, especially for action enthusiasts. Despite its flaws, it remains a worthy addition to any Blu-ray collection, particularly for those who appreciate high-fidelity home theater experiences. Recommended for a solid night of action-packed entertainment.