The Equalizer 3

The Equalizer films were something I'd say are just fine and nothing much more. Both felt way too long for what were quite simple stories but Denzel Washington shined in each one and he elevated every scene. With the second one releasing in 2018, and Washington's first sequel, I figured that was it but returning director, Antoine Fuqua, had more plans for the franchise and so The Equalizer 3 released in 2023.

Unlike the two films before, this sees Robert McCall on a bloodthirsty rampage abroad in Sicily. Having survived a close-call with a gunshot wound, he repays the local doctor in an Italian village with helping out around the area but it's not long before he finds trouble that must be... equalized!

The first of the trilogy to come in under two hours at a merciful 109 minutes, The Equalizer 3 is a much leaner experience and quite possibly my favourite of all the films. That's not to say what we are getting here is a revelation but Fuqua and Washington do a pretty good job bringing this very violent action flick to the screen with some added style. The first two films looked solid but this really goes the extra mile in capturing the beauty of the cobbled streets of this Italian town where much of story takes place. 

Fans of Denzel will also be in for a treat as he once again steals the film and does much with very little. Some of the best moments were when he is just thinking or assessing a situation. Meanwhile, the rest of the supporting cast play their parts to the letter but there really isn't much need for Dakota Fanning's character who has very little to do than explain the story whilst reuniting with her fellow Man on Fire star. Simply put; The Equalizer 3 is at it's best when Washington is onscreen and everything else is filler. The villain's story is given more screentime than required and would have worked fine without the added terrorist aspect.

I felt I was done with the franchise but The Equalizer 3 did enough to shake things up and is a solid enough action flick, so much so that two more films are in the pipeline. Anyone who has enjoyed the previous films will find plenty here and those, like myself, who were on the fence might find this to be the best so far.