Krishna
A story that is more up to Liam Neeson’s alley than Denzel Washingtons; but that is not to say that Denzel does not do a good job of it.
The story is well told, and this is an edge of the seat kind of thriller in its essence. So, this is not a movie where you will exercise your brains, but simply go along for the thrill ride. There are some scenes that challenge your credulity – and I am not talking about a man who is so good at combat that even a dozen men are no match for him. Yes, that stuff is there but that is a given in these movies and no one questions that aspect of it.
Even with that assumed, there are scenes that are not practical at all – for instance how he takes care of the Don of all his underworld adversaries. Makes absolutely no sense that he walks in and walks out.
But if you take the attitude of ‘anything can happen in this movie’ it is really a good, enjoyable movie.
The story is about a quiet, middle aged man called Robert McCall living alone, not making any waves at all, friendly with all his colleagues – inspires them to do better – and well liked. He works in Home Mart, a do it yourself store (Yes, you heard me correctly, It is not Home Depot or Wal-Mart; it is Home Mart)
He meets a girl daily in the deli where he goes unerringly, like a clock, to have his dinner. (The same order every day). He develops a platonic friendship. He learns that she is a hooker but it does not change the friendly talk he has with her. He learns that she is trying to be a singer, and she gives him a CD of her song recorded at home.
Slowly tension escalates for the girl (Alina). First she is forced by a hooligan pimp Slavi to get into a car with an abusive, obese, violent customer and turns up with a bruise next day. A couple of days later, when Robert and Alina are taking a walk, Slavi slaps her and takes her into the car. Robert notices a gun on Slavi’s person and also the bodyguards and does not get involved. Slavi even hands Robert his business card saying that he can provide better girls if Robert wants.
When the next day Robert learns from the restaurant that Alina is in ICU, beaten up he goes, meets her friend Mandy who also is a hooker, that Alina was beaten up and disfigured by acid by Slavi to make an example to others in the brothel of what would happen if someone wanted to leave or disobeyed, he finally decides to take action.
He goes to the address in the business card and first offers his life savings $9800, to leave Alina alone. When he is laughed off, he walks to the door, locks it, sets the timer in his watch and kills everyone there, even though they are armed and he unarmed.
The Russian mafia, to whom all of them belonged, is incensed. They send a highly intelligent mobster called Teddiy (as in bear? Really?) to work with turned cops and track down who did it and why. Teddi is impressive to see in action when he goes snooping to find out who it is that caused mayhem in his operation.
Then starts a brilliant cat and mouse game where Teddy gets close, identifies Robert and tries to trap him, every time outwitted by the wily Robert.
Finally, when the pressure gets to be too high, Robert goes for unofficial help from friends Brian and Susan. You then learn that he was in a secret service and was the best agent they ever had and has unbelievable skills.
How he goes against the entire Mafia organization and wins is the rest of the story. Brilliantly told, with tense scenes that never let up, the movie takes you along on a fast thrill ride. True, it is unbelievable, but there is that childish pleasure in seeing the avenging angel outwit an entire mafia mob of bad guys and winning.
Good entertainment. 7/10
- - Krishna