“The Equalizer 3” marks the final time Denzel Washington reprises his role as a righteous vigilante. While I didn’t think the first film warranted the beginnings of a franchise, I’ll also say that these films do give their audience a pretty good bang for their buck. This one, in particular, has enough satisfying elements to make it worth recommending.
Washington’s Robert McCall finds himself in Italy, living in a small town. He becomes friends with the locals and embraces the town. However, his seemingly idyllic world is turned upside down when he discovers illegal drugs being distributed.
Members of an Italian crime organization threaten the locals for their own purposes, and of course, McCall being the Equalizer, is not going to stand for it long. He soon begins dispensing his own brand of bloody justice. At 68, Washington is still in fine shape and proves that age for him is just a state of mind.
Dakota Fanning costars as a CIA agent that McCall contacts anonymously about the goings-on. She gives an effective supporting performance as a woman whose will is as equally strong as McCall’s.
“The Equalizer 3” is formulaic in its execution, but we don’t come to these movies for the plot. It’s the insane action that Washington dishes out to his enemies in a brutal fashion. This third entry is no exception right from the get-go, and while I think this one seems a little more restrained, there are still plenty of fun moments to be had.
As I mentioned, I didn’t believe The Equalizer series was justified to be made into a series: It lacks the polish of the Mission: Impossible franchise and the over-the-top, stylish insanity of the John Wick franchise. Still, it is undeniably fun watching Washington, who still commands a charismatic, endearing presence which, thankfully, he’s still good at conveying.
This is supposed to be the final chapter of this series, although a part of me would like to ask where McCall would go next if we get an Equalizer 4. London? Paris? If he does, we’re bound for a bloody good time.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language.)
