The Equalizer 3 (2023)★ 7.0/10

One of the most striking moments in "The Equalizer 3" comes when the townspeople rise up to defend Denzel Washington’s character instead of watching helplessly from the sidelines as the mafia closes in. Their quiet courage turns a standard action setup into something more heartfelt. These are people worth saving, and it’s this collective act of bravery that helps the protagonist realize that he has finally found a place to call home.

The narrative feels flat and meandering. Neither the hero nor the villains are given enough depth to make them memorable. From minute 15 to the one-hour mark, the film focuses almost exclusively on small-town warmth and mob cruelty, with no real progression. Cutting 20 minutes would have done wonders for pacing.

The action is noticeably scaled back compared to the previous films, and there’s no big finish, making it feel more like two TV episodes strung together. Denzel Washington has fully embodied this character, but there’s little left to explore, with much of the film focusing more on the quaint Italian village than on the protagonist.

This installment falls short of The Equalizer 2, with action scenes that start strong but fizzle out and a disjointed narrative. The plotline involving the mob boss is lazily executed, and while the small-town setting adds charm, some character interactions—like the overly friendly café staff—lack authenticity. The parade scene interwoven into the climax feels formulaic.

The violin and drumbeat are consistent throughout this movie series, setting the tone with a powerful and rich soundtrack. Denzel Washington's performance is nearly flawless, seamlessly blending with the script and music. The story in the third movie also connects with the previous two. The writing and pacing have improved compared to the earlier installment, but it still feels a bit like a structured essay. Nevertheless, the film beautifully portrays Southern Europe's laid-back nature and stunning landscapes.

I finished watching all three movies in the series and still absolutely love them. The cinematography in this movie is incredible. Italy looks stunning, and the film vividly captures its culture and atmosphere. While this type of movie might be a bit too idealistic, I genuinely enjoyed watching it.

This is the first time Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning have worked together since “Man on Fire” 19 years ago. Also, Denzel Washington is the only returning cast member from either of the previous two films. I had a lot of fun with this! This is the most badass McCall has been in this franchise, and the set locations are amazing to look at. The kills are more brutal than ever as well. The legend Robert Richardson also did his thing with the cinematography. The plot is still pretty generic, and it's a bit of a slow burn in the beginning after the intro, but it picks up, and the third act is a lot of fun. After rewatching, this is my second favorite film of the trilogy, but they're all really close. In a perfect world, we get a John Wick vs. The Equalizer crossover. Please put that out there in the universe.

It’s a satisfying conclusion to a fun trilogy. While I wish it could have been longer, for how long the movie was, it was a lot of fun and brought me lots of joy. The kills were insane and wild. Denzel Washington does what he does best, as always. I would recommend this to anyone. Overall pretty good.

Directors and Denzel, you guys are really into Southern Italy, huh? In the previous two parts, there were wide shots showcasing urban shifts, followed by straightforward and brutal stories. In this one, there's a desire to portray Amalfi so tenderly and expansively. There's a bit of self-deprecation at the beginning, and later on, probably like George Clooney, deciding to live life in Italy. George in Como, Denzel in Amalfi.

A top-notch movie and also the best in the series. There aren't many action scenes, but the few that exist are all intriguing and filled with violence. One can’t get enough of it! The pacing is unbeatable, and the buildup at the front makes the judgment at the end all the more satisfying. The protagonist’s complete dominance at the torture session has become one of the most iconic scenes in action films in recent years. Also, setting it in Sicily is a major bonus, it’s so beautiful it can be crowned the best Italian tourism promotional film, enticing one to stay there and never leave.

An element of malice on the director's part.
This film is a work of decent quality that effectively delivers excitement through its portrayal of realistic bloodshed and violence. However, there seems an element of malice on the director's part when creating the film; he first established a negative image of a character(s) that evokes anger among the audience, then unleashes this accumulated anger by eliminating the character(s) through counter-violence. Is it really an effective way to fight against the evil?

The colors are rich and the lighting is bright and soft. Denzel Washington acts and delivers his lines well, and although the plot is slow I don't get impatient, it should be his acting that pulls the plot along a bit. The fight scenes are crisp and clean, with lots of use of cold weapons, while there is an emphasis on the emotional interactions between people. There are observations of small town life and religious metaphors, which is a good attempt, albeit on a rather shallow level. The soundtrack and cinematography are unmemorable.