Taking a page from the Neeson playbook

IF there's one thing The Equalizer proves, it's that Denzel Washington can play the avenging angel just as well as Liam Neeson (in the Taken series). These ageing stars may be past their physical prime, but they still have the moves and can convincingly dispose of several dozen heavily-accented heavies over the course of a two-hour action movie.

Playing a weapon of mass destruction is a departure from the norm for Washington, who brings a thespian's sure touch to the role of a former government agent compelled to un-retire in order to help those unable to help themselves. In films of this nature, the…