The Equalizer 3

 

This week Denzel Washington re-teams with director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Magnificent Seven) purportedly for the 3 and final time, in the role of Robert McCall. There’s not a lot to say about this one, so I’ll keep this short and sweet.

The Equalizer 3 is the movie you want and expect going in, only with a different approach than the other two.  This time around McCall’s completely international. We’re also left in the dark as to what’s going on and why until the very end of the film which delivers a different flavor to the storyline.  E3 overall is a slower burner as a film as well in terms of the pacing.  But it actually benefits the film in the process.  Washington is almost 70-year-old now so having more exposition and character development as opposed to non-stop action makes sense, keeps the film grounded, and makes the action sequences pack and even harder punch.

In regard to the action, yes. 

Yes. 

YES. 

It’s intense, no holds barred, gory, and shockingly brutal in its violence.  In short, everything I wanted and expected.  Juxtaposed against the calm and quiet of the majority of the film it really stands out and makes these moments even more satisfying.  Robert McCall takes to peace and quiet and retirement about as well as John Wick and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of this character as a result. 

The settings are gorgeous, the cinematography beautiful.  The good guys are good and the bad guys deliciously wicked so the brutal force in which they are dispatched is a pure delight.  If anything, there are couple I wished suffered a bit more before their demise, but that’s just me.  

The international cast all deliver strong and engaging performances.  Having Dakota Fanning re-teaming with Washington 19 years after their last film together (Man on Fire) is a bonus treat.

The third time is certainly a charm for The Equalizer 3.  It’s fun, entertaining, and you get what you came for in a satisfactory experience.   I had the pleasure of seeing this film with a great crowd and the interaction made it even more enjoyable. It was one big watch party in the best sense.

It’s a solid 8 from me.

 #TheEqualizer3