The Equalizer 3 is extremely violent and gory, but still includes a nice story about a man who just wants to retire and have some peace in his life.
The Equalizer 3 is the final film in the trilogy. Not only does it deliver a storyline that acts as a great ending for the main character, it offers a lot of intensely violent and ridiculous kills, which makes for a lot of fun. Still, this movie is not without its several flaws, that take away from what could have been.
Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The Equalizer 3 would not exist without the labor of the writers and actors in both unions.
This time around Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) is ready to retire. The man is just looking for a little bit of peace in Southern Italy, but the local mafia is not willing to let him do it. Time and time again they disrupt the lives of his new friends until he has had enough. Fans of the films know that he is not one to be messed with, which he proves in The Equalizer 3.
What Works With The Equalizer 3
If you have seen the trailer, then you likely already know that this movie is going to be packed to the brim with action. And it is. The fight sequences are absolute insanity. In one of the very first scenes McCall shoots a man in the eye, and then proceeds to continue shooting more people, through the dead man’s eye socket.
So when we say this movie has some intense violence and gore, we mean it. As a big fan of ridiculous kills and injuries that you feel while watching them play out, this was one of our favorite components of The Equalizer 3. There are several scenes where McCall just absolutely obliterates his enemies, and each one ups the ante when it comes to violent ways to take someone out. That leads to some great action sequences that should be praised.
The story takes place in Southern Italy, which means it takes place over some stunning backdrops and scenery. There is a lot of beauty in film, considering how much horror is in when it comes to the brutality.
For those who have been around since the beginning of the trilogy, the ending is able to tie all of the films together nicely, which fans will appreciate. It seems to be a fitting ending for McCall, and one he deserves after what he has been through.
If you haven’t seen either of the first two The Equalizer movies, you’re in luck, you really don’t have to. This story is standalone enough that you can follow it without knowing about McCall’s past. If you enjoy it, then go back and see where he came from.
It isn’t all action and killing though, there is a (pretty basic) story about a man who is ready to retire and is willing to do just about anything he has to in order to make it happen. Even though the comedy doesn’t always work, there are some great jokes. With a runtime of less than two hours, the action sequences help to make this movie fly by at a decent pace.
What Doesn’t Work With The Equalizer 3
Probably the most frustrating thing about The Equalizer 3 is that they did Dakota Fanning dirty. It feels as if the writers just don’t know how to write for a woman. She plays Emma Collins, who comes in from the CIA to assist on taking down a drug dealer.
While it is stated several times that she is smart, she never has to figure anything out on her own. All she does is reiterate what McCall has told her to her boss. She never proves herself and basically asks as a middle person between the two.
At the same time, McCall is supposed to be going head to head with the mafia. These guys are supposed to be badass and powerful, however literally not one of them puts up a fight. McCall takes each and every one of them out with ease — which we get is kind of his thing, but still.
If these are the top mafia henchmen and bosses, you would think they have a little bit more training and ability to fight. The one time he is injured is almost a fluke, and is from a scared kid that viewers never see again.
There are several other unbelievable things that could take the audience out of The Equalizer 3 while they are watching. The police officer in town, Gio (Eugenio Mastrandrea) is a good character, but the events surrounding him are ridiculous. Not only does the school release his daughter from school to a random man, his wife just hangs out at home with no pants on in the middle of the day? That isn’t how real life works.
McCall also heals miraculously quickly from an injury taking him from using a cane to walk, to kicking butt with ease, in a matter of days. Still, The Equalizer 3 is entertaining, largely in part thanks to the creative kills, you just can’t think too hard about it if you want to enjoy it.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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About The Equalizer 3
Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall finds solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Now living in Southern Italy, he soon discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall becomes their protector by taking on the mafia.
The Equalizer 3 hits theaters on September 1st.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.