No. Not The Crown. No. Not The Queen’s Gambit.
The Equalizer.
Starring the one and only Queen Latifah.
I have only seen an episode or two of the original TV show The Equalizer (1985-1989); but I liked what I saw.
I never saw the Denzel Washington reboot film.
Now I’m watching the new TV version of The Equalizer, starring Queen Latifah and I LOVE what I’m seeing. Apparently CBS is loving it too because we’re 3 episodes in and they have already renewed the show for a second season.
Not only does Queen Latifah have the acting chops for this venture, but her athleticism is wonderful. She is clear, in interviews, that she is not a 22 year old and plans on pacing herself so she can provide great action in all the episodes. Imho, she is graceful and strong in her fight choreography; and she knows her way around a motorcycle.
It’s great to see a female lead in an action show who is not a 20-something, whip thin blond. Queen Latifah shows us that a female lead can be more than a youthful body as long as she is dynamic, charismatic and willing to do the work – three things that Queen Latifah is, and then some.
Not nuts about the daughter – at least not as written. The young lady comes across as super entitled and full of the usual TV teenage angst. Can we please find a new trope for teenage girls? I find the character so unlikeable that when (and with all the stubbornness and entitlement going on, you know it’s coming) she gets herself in trouble, I don’t think I’ll much care about the outcome.
The show is shot in Newark, New Jersey (where Queen Latifah was born) – standing in for Chicago. And has a sufficiently gritty feel. Although, I’ll be interested in how you make a Newark winter stand in for a Chicago winter.
Anybody else watching this?
There was a pause in shooting in February because of a positive COVID test with the crew; but they are back to it and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
