The Equalizer 3

8/10

In what appears to be the final film in the trilogy (at least for Denzel Washington; I can see them bringing in a new Equalizer), Robert McCall (Washington) is injured after a mission and has to convalesce at a small coastal Italian town. He ends up liking the place and soon can't keep a blind eye to the merciless hold organized crime has on it.

This felt like a good note for McCall to go out on. Okay, so all the story beats are very predictable especially when it comes to the villains (sadly, like the last film, the movie can't come up with a rightful to successor to the first film's Teddy Rensen, who was in my opinion one of the best action movie villains in recent years.) Given that E2 wasn't as good as the first but definitely made the effort to make the threat something different, it's a little disappointing to just go back to fighting a foreign crime family like in E1.

But, when you get down to it, this is a well-made predictable movie where the lines and characters work well enough. Washington's excellent performance remains the best part. He is able to portray so much about the character and with just a look. Washington continues to portray a man who wants to do good but does violent things to achieve that. A man who always gives the baddies a chance to go the peaceful route but is merciless when they decline. It's also fun to watch McCall, because the guy's got training and seeing his dark strategy is as fascinating as the action as he clearly has the mental edge over his opponents.

Speaking of the action, this may be the most violent of all the movies. (Course, it's been a while since I saw the first two.) It feels like the movie was taking a page from John Wick, but McCall is far more brutal and exacting. There are a couple of the big confrontation scenes that will really stick in your memory.

Moving the location outside the U.S. was a nice change of pace. The setting they chose for the town is breathtaking. Director Antoine Fuqua really had an eye for showcasing Italian architecture and decorations.

Recommended. I'd rank this below 1 and above 2. Story ain't original and man is the hardcore action worth the watch.