The Equalizer (2021)

It’s preppy blaxploitation. That’s not to say that I don’t dig watching McCall obliterate Trumps n’ Musks. I like the show best when it abandons righteousness and goes for camp.

Gender reversal aside, there's little that's surprising about this reboot, which should make it a comfortable fit on Sundays. [15 - 28 Feb 2021, p.10]

The Equalizer's evolution continues, from that stately old British gent in the 1980s to a couple of Denzel Washington movies to Queen Latifah in a new CBS series. But the character isn't all that's changed, as the show adopts more of a team concept than the original's loner, even if the basic template -- a pretty fun one -- still involves a shadowy savior of those in need.

It’s a high-quality cast of actors but they have little to do beyond dole out exposition that pushes the plot forward while supporting Robyn’s efforts to aid the helpless.

100-proof, pure-grade, high-gloss, low-risk formula.

Latifah puts a human face on the formulaic silliness and incapacitates faceless bad guys with aplomb, but there’s nothing in the pilot that requires her to do anything but coast on her charm.

Borne out of the cult ‘80s CBS show starring Edward Woodward and 2014 blockbuster starring Denzel Washington, the 2021 iteration of “The Equalizer” mashes the two versions together to create a basic show that leans on its star to keep things interesting.

There’s potential there for a compelling Robin Hood-esque fable that could be exciting. Alas, it’s CBS, and time will tell whether the show’s creators and showrunners, Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller, will exploit any far more intriguing possibilities.