What looks to be the closing note of Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua’s trilogy (a rare thing for both men, as these are the only sequels they’ve ever done), The Equalizer 3 is a much more contemplative form of an action movie. . . a character with a violent past that is trying to work through it as he enters the final chapters of his life.
Opening with a lengthy single take that shows the destruction that Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) can cause, it is a cinematic gem of a piece set in a baddie’s lair in Sicily. . . a strikingly stylized moment that leaves our lead wounded in body and soul.
Finding his way into the hands of a small town Italian doctor, Enzo Arisio (Remo Girone), the man saves his life, but it is a wound that will take time to heal. . . forcing him to recover on the other side of the Atlantic in the Italian coastal locale of Altamonte.
Unlike the other two entries in the franchise, Fuqua takes his time to unfurl the story. Feeling less American and much more European in its style – somewhat reminiscent of the pacing of George Clooney’s 2010 Italian set action thriller The American – this narrative finds McCall slowly falling in love with the gorgeous vistas and the people residing within them. The storyline is simple, while the dialogue is at times scant as we watch Washington’s facial expressions slowly calm to mirror the serenity of the historic place and its relaxing sea waves (the fresh food, free room and board, and open-armed townsfolk probably don’t hurt either). The striking shots and cinematography from Fuqua and director of photography Robert Richardson help provide the viewer with the same peaceful vibrations that will be rudely interrupted.
For, as you might have guessed, not all is right in Altamonte. . . there is a criminal organization, locally run by Marco Quaranta (Andrea Dodero), who roughly hassle the villagers for payoffs and other such things. Though McCall is trying to curb the violent ways of his past, he cannot bear to watch these people that he is coming to love be treated in such a corrupt and hostile way.
A movie that only has a few moments of brazen violence (and boy are they bloody), they are worth the wait for those action fans out there: fusing the effervescent OCD charm of McCall with the thing he is best at – timely dispatching those who deserve some vigilante justice.
Eventually leading to the mafia higher ups getting word of the courageous troublemaker, Marco’s brother, Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio), gets involved, while CIA officer Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning – working with Washington for the first time since 2004’s Man on Fire) decides to inspect the area after getting an anonymous tip from McCall.
Leading to a wet and wild finale (if you look back, all three revolve around water-filled action-packed evenings), will the Equalizer be able to balance the scales of justice one more time?
The most unique offering of the franchise, The Equalizer 3‘s European-style pacing might be a bit meandering for some modern day viewers, but for those who are willing to get caught up in the slow build of tense atmosphere and the ever-cool Denzel Washington’s charming swagger, the payoffs to come are well worth the wait. So, enjoy this trilogy ender and learn if McCall is still first among equals.