Cert – 15, Run-time – 1 hour 49 minutes, Director – Antoine Fuqua
Whilst recovering from an injury in a small Italian town, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) plans to retire, however to do so in peace he takes on a local gang
While I might not remember a huge deal about the previous two Equalizer films the action certainly sticks out. Even then, I don’t remember it being as brutal as it is in The Equalizer 3. Whilst holding a 15 rating I feel there are 18s which have been given the top certificate from the BBFC for a good deal less. The extent of the violence contrasts with footage of Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall gradually entering retirement in a quiet Italian town in this trilogy closer.
Having been injured at the start of the film McCall views this as a sign to pack in the vengeance. Recuperating with the help of local doctor Enzo (Remo Girone) the small square which makes up its own community provides a welcoming environment for the character who views it as the perfect place to retire. That is until the idealistic surroundings are shattered by a local gang bringing fear and violence to the area. If he wishes to settle down in peace, McCall must take down this group in heavily bloody fashion.
McCall isn’t the only person with a lead on the gang as CIA Agent Collins (Dakota Fanning) looks into high-level drug deals linked to one of their bases. The pair slyly back and forth with each other, teasing how one knows more about the other than their letting on. While infrequent there’s a likable nature to such instances, particularly thanks to the reliable performances on display. Such moments in particular act as something of the midpoint between the calm of near-retirement for the central figure and the loud, fast-paced darkness of the action.
Where they really falter, however, is in the lead to the next event or situation as, particularly in the first half, there’s something of a stop-start feel to various instances within the forming narrative. Yet, while there’s enough to keep you engaged throughout the most enjoyment comes when the focus is on McCall. Washington on his own having a nice time in Italy stands above the action, and indeed core of the narrative.
The action itself has an effective intensity which works in its various bursts, especially when it comes to key confrontations, but more often than not when Washington is centre stage and his character’s plan rolls out piece by piece that’s where the kick really comes in as his natural charm lifts both the character and the film. Yet, while there might be a slight distance between the scenes with the villains or Fanning and Washington there’s still an overall engaging film here which makes for a good close to this trilogy – and perhaps the best of the three.
The Equalizer 3 is held up by Denzel Washington and his charm. When the focus is on him the film is at its best. There’s some effectively intense action and everything else holds engagement, but it does sometimes falter as it leads to the next event.
Just A Little Bit Random 