The Equalizer 3
review by Bobby Blakey
It’s always a hard sell when TV shows make the transition to the big screen, but when the Training Day team of Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua re-teamed for the 2014 adaptation of The Equalizer they knocked it out of the park. With the success it brought the duo back for the first sequel either had done with 2018s The Equalizer 2. Now they are back once again for the third and final chapter aptly titled The Equalizer 3 reteaming Washington with his Man on Fire co-star Dakota Fanning. Could this final chapter bring more of what made the previous films so great or will it fail to be equal?
The Equalizer 3 follows Robert McCall who has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new 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.
I love the first two films, but always worried when they go for to long. Washington is known for not doing sequels so was a big deal with the second outing, but to return yet again there had to be something to it for them both to do it. I am happy to say that this film is excellent and not only lives up to the first two but pushes the character in new directions and an ending that is perfect for the trilogy.
The film wastes no time in getting right into the action. I was worried that the trailer was giving away too much of the action, but all of it is the opening of the film and so much more to enjoy. There isn’t a ton of action this time around, but have no fear there is still plenty here to give the audience what they want. In between those moments they have crafted a story that is more
about McCall’s recovery and search for his own piece. It is a great way to ush the character to more depth and head to his finale in this series.
Washington is great in the role once again bringing a stoic swagger to McCall while also offering up some cracks in his hardened soul. I love the evolution of the character this time around and felt to me like a good entry to the overall trilogy as a whole. Washington hasn’t lost a step in the action department and racks up the body count whenever he decides to cut lose. The film is obviously focused on McCall’s journey, but bringing in Dakota fanning was a nice addition. Seeing them back on screen together was great and they have some great banter together. I worried if she could pull off this kind of role in this series, but she does a good job and serves as a different side to it all.
In the end this is yet another great addition to the franchise and not only stands on its own as yet another great entry but does some interesting things to not only wrap things up as well as ending the series. I know there has also been rumblings in interviews about them possibly doing a prequel style and Washington’s real life son John David Washington was thrown into the mix suggesting him takin on the young role of the young McCall which I hope happens. Whether it does or not this is one of those rare trilogies that delivers across the board and showcases yet another perfect pairing of Washington and Fuqua.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including deleted scenes, video, numerous featurettes and more. Join McCall one last time when The Equalizer 3 available now on digital and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on November 14th.
On the same day they are also releasing The Equalizer trilogy collection on 4K featuring IMAX-Enhanced disc-based presentations of the films, with immersive DTS-X audio from Sony Home Entertainment.
