Antoine Fuqua’s The Equalizer 2 is the first time Denzel Washington has been part of a sequel, and I wished the movie itself were a more august undertaking.

Which isn’t to say it’s a bad movie. Washington is, as usual, an engaging presence and the story–by Richard Wenk–is at times thrilling and touching.

Though coming in just over two hours, it’s about 30-40 minutes too long.

A few judicious cuts would have not only made the movie shorter, but also made it much more enjoyable.

As it stands it’s fine, but it’s flabbiness slows it down.