Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy, but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the Mafia.
Of the three Equalizer movies, “The Equalizer 2” is my favorite. It was exciting, filled with top-notch action and terrific fight scenes, and added great character depth to Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall, who was more of an enigma the first time around. Part 2 also had a superb antagonist in Pedro Pascal, who gave Washington a run for his money.
In “The Equalizer 3,” Washington’s Robert McCall has settled down in the remote coastal town of Altamonte in Italy after finishing a dangerous hit job, resulting in his being injured. He decides to retire and settle in Altamonte, where he can start over and leave his past behind. But when the local Mafia begins to bully and harass Robert’s new friends, people who have welcomed him into their families, homes, and hearts, he must resurrect the man he thought he left behind and finish the job nobody else has been able to do.
I have been looking forward to “The Equalizer 3” since it was announced. The thought of McCall taking on the Italian Mafia had me leaping for joy because I knew what he was capable of and that he would inflict all kinds of pain on them, but sadly, the movie doesn’t live up to the hype the trailers promised. Like so many films these days, all the best parts were in the trailer, leaving nothing worthwhile elsewhere to be found.
Washington is always great to watch, but here, he seems tired, like this is his last time playing the character. I just felt he could have infused McCall with a little more enthusiasm and vitality, but the man is 69 years old, so I guess I’ll cut him some slack. The action is more suited to his age, and while the narrative concentrates more on the emotional aspects, focusing on McCall’s past and what the future holds in store for him, the action scenes become secondary. While “The Equalizer 3” fails to ignite in the action department, it does bring closure to Robert McCall and his story.
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