The Equalizer 3

Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington reunite for the final installment of The Equalizer series. Robert McCall (Washington) is in Italy, after brandishing his skills at a quiet farmhouse he finds himself in a small southern Italian fishing village. However, under the towns picturesque idyllic lifestyle runs the dark threat of the local mafia run by family head Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio) and his thug brother Marco (Andrea Dodero). While the village is helpless to stop the threat, McCall, the mysterious stranger who they’ve welcomed into town, is not one for letting an injustice go unpunished as Vincent, Marco and their thugs are about to find out.

This is an uncomplicated stylishly shot action thriller. It feels like it takes inspiration of Clint Eastwood Westerns of the 60’s and 70’s, where a stranger rides into a town that lives in fear and he can’t let carry on, so he galvanises the town behind him. And that’s the basics of the story here and that’s not bad thing.

Denzil Washington is always a wonderful screen presence. He brings an authority, calm and charm all that overlay a brooding threat. He’s well supported by a mainly Italian cast including Eugenio Mastrandrea, Gaia Scodellaro and Remo Girone as well as Dakota Fanning, who plays first time field agent Emma Collins.

The film is set in a sleepy Italian fishing village with a main character who is not as young as he used to be and the film is paced to match. Patient in its storytelling and giving you time to get to know the village and care that McCall can help them. Helped by creating villains with no redeeming qualities who are going to get what they deserve.

While the films pace is gentle, when it comes to McCall doing his thing, it’s done in all of its creative gory glory!

The Equalizer is an uncomplicated action thriller with a compelling star perfect for the role. Its story feels like it borrows from classic westerns in a good way and is beautifully shot and choreographed. It’s a film that knows what it is and delivers in style.