403 reviews
I like Queen Latifah, and some of the cast, but the script is a dog. If it were led by Angela Bassett in her prime, even then, it couldn't be saved and would still be a dog.
On the acting front, the lead detective leaves a lot to be desired, and the characters of the hacker and his sniper wife are a pure mess.
Perhaps, if they leaned into the comedy, it wouldn't feel as abysmal as it does, but as it is, the self-seriousness of some of the characters and the absence of any semblance with reality, make this one to avoid at all costs. Or if you erased 'the hacker' from the cast, you could require the scriptwriters to construct believable stories and step away from the use of science fiction to move the plot forward.
In any event, hopefully this ends soon, and Queen Latifah finds something else more worthy of her time.
On the acting front, the lead detective leaves a lot to be desired, and the characters of the hacker and his sniper wife are a pure mess.
Perhaps, if they leaned into the comedy, it wouldn't feel as abysmal as it does, but as it is, the self-seriousness of some of the characters and the absence of any semblance with reality, make this one to avoid at all costs. Or if you erased 'the hacker' from the cast, you could require the scriptwriters to construct believable stories and step away from the use of science fiction to move the plot forward.
In any event, hopefully this ends soon, and Queen Latifah finds something else more worthy of her time.
- Thinker365
- Feb 8, 2021
- Permalink
Sure you may be used to Denzel Washington as the equalizer or maybe even Edward from the 80s series. But at least give this a chance I watched the first episode and it wasn't that bad it was kinda like all the fbi or csi series on tv but it has its own touch to it. Just give her a chance before you judge it's not that bad!!!
- isaiahclay-62531
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
I like the show but hate the spoiled kid! This is an action show and not a family drama! The spoiled kid could sink the show! Wish they would've kept it like the original show and the movies, no spoiled kids!
- legrand-walter5
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
It's hard to believe that this series is now into it's third season, the moment I heard that Queen Latifah was the lead, I rolled my eyes. But I thought I'd give it chance and after the 1st two episodes from the first season I gave it one episode too many, after I stopped watching with such a slow sunday thought I'd give it another shot and sad to say not much has changed, script bad, action sequences bad, some of the acting and some of these actors are not bad but they seem to be just going through the paces. I'm sorry but Queen does not strike me as an operator with skills of a hand to hand, spy, and weapons expert, etc.... It's a no mas for me, and CBS cancelled East New York instard of this...Oi!!
There was only 1 Equaliser for tv drama. And it was the original. Edward Woodward. He was totally believable. Latifah is not. Denzel Washington in the movie was good. But sorry,Latifah doesnt cut it for the tv series. Go back and check the original series.
So far so good. I give every show a chance. Just be glad tv shows are still being made during a pandemic.
Really entertaining, not sure why people are giving it such bad reviews.
- torresromeroyaritza
- Feb 8, 2021
- Permalink
The concept of "show, don't tell" was completely lost on the writers room. Every character had to describe every other character as "the best of the best", "the best the agency ever had", "the best I've ever seen".
If you have to tell your audience someone is the best, then they are probably not. The writers are just getting in their own way with excessive dialogue when some simple staging would allow viewers to come to their own conclusions., Instead, we're being TOLD everything.
Also, Queen Latifah is a good actress. She is, however, remarkably miscast in this series. The writers aren't writing to her strengths-- rock solid persona and strong delivery. Instead, they're trying to portray her as a seasoned fighter and are putting her in scenes where she's shown being physically violent. Those scenes fall flat due to the excessive jump cuts needed to compensate for the actress' lack of natural physicality. The classic 80's series did this well-- writing for McCall as a seasoned veteran in his late 50's vs. a modern spec ops warrior. As such, the original McCall used intimidation more than direct physical violence as his key weapon.
This series could be saved but it needs some heavy reworking. Right now it feels like "Equalizer in Name Only". Branding this as a remake of the original series is a disservice to all involved. Instead, create a brand new character for your very talented lead and stop trying to retread the past.
If you have to tell your audience someone is the best, then they are probably not. The writers are just getting in their own way with excessive dialogue when some simple staging would allow viewers to come to their own conclusions., Instead, we're being TOLD everything.
Also, Queen Latifah is a good actress. She is, however, remarkably miscast in this series. The writers aren't writing to her strengths-- rock solid persona and strong delivery. Instead, they're trying to portray her as a seasoned fighter and are putting her in scenes where she's shown being physically violent. Those scenes fall flat due to the excessive jump cuts needed to compensate for the actress' lack of natural physicality. The classic 80's series did this well-- writing for McCall as a seasoned veteran in his late 50's vs. a modern spec ops warrior. As such, the original McCall used intimidation more than direct physical violence as his key weapon.
This series could be saved but it needs some heavy reworking. Right now it feels like "Equalizer in Name Only". Branding this as a remake of the original series is a disservice to all involved. Instead, create a brand new character for your very talented lead and stop trying to retread the past.
- fredwmeyer2
- Feb 8, 2021
- Permalink
I'm not sure where all the snarky comments regarding this show are coming from. I really enjoyed the pilot and thought Queen L and the supporting cast did a good job. Good story line to get the season started and introduced the characters nicely to give enough back story regarding their relationships without overly complicating the show or making it drag. I have high hopes for the remainder of this series and will continue to watch!
When I watch 90lb women going head-to-head in fights with men in the movies recently, it suspends all credibility. But Queen Latifah I believe. She's a much better badass female lead than any other show I can think of.
Decent plot, likable characters, fun tech, and a little flavor of Person of Interest.
I watched the 1st episode hoping to rekindle some of that magic from the 1985 TV series starring Edward Woodward. Everything about that series was stellar, including the electrifying theme music composed by ex-Police Stewart Copeland. Everything about this remake is the opposite. The plot's simplistic beyond credibility, the protagonist hardly finds herself in any life threatening situation, and because everything from point A to Z appears as contrived as a 10-piece jigsaw puzzle, there's no suspense to speak of. Sad. I had expected much more from this and from 'Clarice'. Thank goodness for WandaVision. My opinion is based on the first two episodes.
- littlesatanhooves
- Feb 21, 2021
- Permalink
These reviews are ridiculously harsh. Enjoying it for the entertainment value. Loving seeing a woman in Primetime kicking some butt. I thought the writing was great and the storyline kept me interested.
Now I really like the original (have the DVDs) and the movies. They all share the formula of good guy/gal kicks ass. This makes them all somewhat predictable. But I enjoy seeing Queen Latifa in this role. She rocks as a good looking action hero. I'm looking forward to the upcoming episodes.
- david-956-550304
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
Queen Latifah is poorly cast in this role. She's just not believable as a skilled CIA agent. Also the writing is blah... absolutely zero nuance. You are directly told what pretty much every character's traits are.
The fight scenes are edited rather poorly as well. Jump cut after jump cut, it's not stylized it's just annoying.
It's unfortunate because the source material is quite strong, but, this attempt is very weak. Perhaps it'll get better after a few more episodes but the first two were bad enough that I'm not going to stick around to find out.
The fight scenes are edited rather poorly as well. Jump cut after jump cut, it's not stylized it's just annoying.
It's unfortunate because the source material is quite strong, but, this attempt is very weak. Perhaps it'll get better after a few more episodes but the first two were bad enough that I'm not going to stick around to find out.
- catfashionings-94332
- Feb 10, 2021
- Permalink
I love "The Equalizer" TV series and the 2 excellent movies... this... this is not the Equalizer. It is like none of the writes - directors - people in the show saw the originals. It is very sad actually. Fight scenes that are chopped up - dialog that is lame - OVER dramatization of everyone...oh so-and-so is BEST of the BEST - and so-an-so is SO BEST of the BEST...Robert McCall never had to tell others he was BEST OF THE BEST or the people he worked with were BEST OF THE BEST... his action did it for him... when you have to be told every step of the way what you need to see or what you need to believe or what you need to know... there is something wrong.
- peekaboobaskets
- Feb 10, 2021
- Permalink
The show spends too much time on personal lives between characters instead of cases. Talk, talk, talk. If a show has Med, PD, Fire, or Law in the title I want to see stories about Med, Fire, PD, and Law all with content related to those titles. The Equalizer falls into the category of too little Equalizing and not enough kick butt storie lines..... it needs to come up with unique plots and how she solves them, but that takes good writing and imagination, which is missing in this series. As noted by others, Queen Latifah is miscast here, I personally love her comedies but this show is a stretch.
By comparison, the Denzel Washington movies bring a nice mix between the personal issues that cause the initial crisis, and how they are Equalized. Cause and effect are balanced.
By comparison, the Denzel Washington movies bring a nice mix between the personal issues that cause the initial crisis, and how they are Equalized. Cause and effect are balanced.
- mrbillburr
- Feb 25, 2024
- Permalink
The first episode was entertaining and Queen Latifah portrayed her role well. Not sure why the ratings are so low, but I am interested in the next episode and hope it continues to be worth watching!
- jrlewis-31703
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
- jun-taufik
- Apr 4, 2021
- Permalink
This series is like when David Moyes took over from Alex Ferguson, Ferguson was iconic as was Edward Woodward, I don't care that they have a woman playing the lead not just this lead woman, Queen Latifa is a decent actor but not for an action role like this
Everything about this is poor, some of the actors are good but the writers have made this a poor imitation of a once great show, I know I may be looking at this through hazy rose tinted glasses but even without the history it's objectively terrible.
- phillip-henry
- May 20, 2021
- Permalink
So good! Queen Latifah shines as the ex CIA turned do good vigilante Equalizer. The premise of this remake doesn't divert too much from the show in the 80's or the movie remake brilliantly done by Denzel Washington.
She is the divorced mom with a teenage daughter who, per all scripts, has a contentious relationship with her often gone mother. She is spoiled and whiny which would by only critique.
Queen Latifah is relatable female action star that we need. These roles are far to often given to men. I am glad to see CBS shake things up using a strong black female as the lead.
The supporting cast is strong as well.
I can't wait for the next episode and I strongly recommend that you give it a try
- angelathomas-72631
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
I think it was a welcome addition to series lineup. It has
a different vision and I like it. The role doesn't have to be filled by a thin actress to be watchable. I have seen some and they don't always work.
- yoli55wayne
- Feb 9, 2021
- Permalink
Many problems with this serie.
1. The main character is not believable as an action hero.
2. The plot is stupid, in every episode! A) Problem starts. B) Main character investigates and talk to her computer Genius friend. C) The police contact gives a hint. D) Computer guy can find the suspect on street camera, and gets access to all necessary info. E) Main character kick bad guys Ass. F) Main character in emotional moralistic scene with daughter.
3. Action scenes are cheap and unlogical.
I watched S1 and half way through S2, but just couldn't watch anymore. An absolute waste of time. Loved the movies with Washington, but this is soooooooo bad!!
1. The main character is not believable as an action hero.
2. The plot is stupid, in every episode! A) Problem starts. B) Main character investigates and talk to her computer Genius friend. C) The police contact gives a hint. D) Computer guy can find the suspect on street camera, and gets access to all necessary info. E) Main character kick bad guys Ass. F) Main character in emotional moralistic scene with daughter.
3. Action scenes are cheap and unlogical.
I watched S1 and half way through S2, but just couldn't watch anymore. An absolute waste of time. Loved the movies with Washington, but this is soooooooo bad!!
- taraldhansen
- Feb 10, 2023
- Permalink
Soooo y'all are idiots....the original Equalizer was an older distinguished gentleman, Edward Woodward (55) so why is it so hard to think an older distinguished woman, Queen Latifa (50) could do the job. Do your research. ...And it's a fun show, entertaining, and good actors.
- josiepelch
- Feb 7, 2021
- Permalink
Starts out good, in the begining but the neverending family drama takes over the action, like come on this is supposed to be and action show. The medicore acting and fight scenes are becomming more and more blah and unrealistic, just like the gun fights (like there are only so many rounds you can put through a weapon without changing the mag...). The cliffhangers are almost expected and not a suprise and to long and drawn out for to many episodes. Queen L is a good actor but this is seemingly not the proper way she should be utilized. Has potential to be better but need to address, stoppes watching shows for less!
It's been a long time since I've seen a show that can be categorised as total garbage. And jut when I thought those are thingS of the past, "The Equalizer" surfaces up.
The script is not so dreadful but it doesn't cover all of the other elements which are so bad so it makes you think if producers were on something when creating this piiece of garbage.
Casting is absolutely ridiculous. Latifa is nit only unconvincig but tragic at the moments. Not to mention her acting skills which are not poor because there are none.
Director should also take a look at some basic directing books because fighting scenes are on the brink of comedy.
I could go on, but this nonsense is not worth even a bad criticism. Not to mention your time watchig it. Avoid at all costs.
The script is not so dreadful but it doesn't cover all of the other elements which are so bad so it makes you think if producers were on something when creating this piiece of garbage.
Casting is absolutely ridiculous. Latifa is nit only unconvincig but tragic at the moments. Not to mention her acting skills which are not poor because there are none.
Director should also take a look at some basic directing books because fighting scenes are on the brink of comedy.
I could go on, but this nonsense is not worth even a bad criticism. Not to mention your time watchig it. Avoid at all costs.