After a mission goes sideways in Sicily, McCall ends up in a quaint seaside Italian town where he is cared for by the town’s kindly doctor Enzo (Remo Girone). As he recovers, McCall starts to relax and bond with the locals, particularly flirty waitress Aminah (a fetching Gaia Scodellaro). McCall finally believes he’s started to find peace and is considering a more permanent relocation, but said peace is broken when he discovers the Mafia, led by the cruel and bloodthristy VIncent (Andrea Scarduzio) is terrorizing the citizens and trying to force them to sell their land. McCall finds himself back to his old ways in order to defend his new friends. Meanwhile, a junior CIA agent named Emma (Dakota Fanning) is seeking McCall’s help in stopping a terrorist drug ring that may or may not involve Vincent’s crime family. Vengeance and mayhem ensue!
Antoine Fuqua is an underrated action director and he has a special relationship with Denzel Washington having directed the acclaimed actor in five films. His direction and Richard Wenk’s script are delightfully straightforward, with a plot that’s easy to follow and that serves as a framework for the hard-hitting action scenes that permeate the film. Aside from one small (yet understandable) mistake, McCall is a boogeyman that would make John WIck proud. (I’m still waiting for a John Wick/Equalizer crossover, but alas I don’t think that’s in the cards.) The outcome is never in doubt and the fun comes from McCall’s rather unique methods of dispatching his overconfident enemies.
In the hands of a lesser actor, “The Equalizer 3” would be a one-note revenge flick, but Washington infuses the scenario with life and energy. McCall is wounded inside and out, but hasn’t given up hope of finding contentment and a new life outside his former profession. Washington gives McCall a resigned appearance as he warns his would-be foes about their collective fates. McCall is tired, but he’ll be damned if he’s gonna let these thugs take his happiness away from him. Not happening, not on his watch.
The rest of the cast is good, with Fanning being the standout in a nice reunion almost twenty years later with her “Man On Fire” co-star Washington. Girone and Scdellaro also provide some good character beats. As for the villains: they’re very one note and are noteworthy of being some really despicable criminals. This is intentional as what McCall does to them would make even Michael Myers blanche a bit, so it’s imprortant for the audince to believe that the villains are getting exactly what they deserve!
Overall, “The Equalizer 3” is a fantastically made, taut and lean thriller that benefits greatly from Denzel’s performance. If you liked the first two films, “The Equalizer 3” will be right up your alley, especially if you’re craving a dose of good old fashioned vigilante justice. 4 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!
