Wendy

After watching the first installment of the Equalizer, I knew every other movie would be a tough act to follow. The first movie had such an amazing cast of characters: funny, endearing, and the dynamics between the characters like a second family, those at the hardware store. Yet, it doesn't take away from the mystery that is Denzel... "What did you do in your past life, Pops?" "I was a PIP." The 2nd movie I thought was okay, but this Equalizer 3 is still good and a fitting way for Roberto McCall to "retire." Most of the reviews say the setting in the movie in Sicily, Italy is breathtaking, which is true. It makes you want to move there, if you don't already live there. The neighbours who take in Robert, are purposely very good people worth standing up for. And the villains in this movie are so so awful, you in some way can't wait for them to meet their end. It is suspenseful, gory, and I was on the edge of my seat for pretty much most of the movie. But this 3rd movie does lack the depth of characters that the first movie had. The characters were interesting but a bit flat. This movie also lacks some of the comedic banter that the first movie had, and I felt I also needed in order to have some rest and reprieve from all the violence. When Ralphie (the security guard from Equalizer 1), pulls out Robert from glass debris in the warehouse to temporary safety, and says "Buck ninety my AS*," I laughed. Dakota Fanning's character was a nice addition, but I also wished they showed her a bit more too. I think I hardly laughed watching Equalizer 3, even though it's not meant to be a comedy. It's nice to have the mixture of suspense and bits of comedy. Overall though, it was still great to watch in the theaters so worth it to come back from missing theater-going b/c of Covid to seeing Denzel on the big screen flash that smile again and his pearly white teeth. He is reminding you that he either likes you... or your time is up! I'm obviously obsessed with Equalizer 1, but Equalizer 3 is definitely worth watching if you're a lover of the franchise. I found myself content to see Roberto (SPOILER) ride off into the horizon with his new "famiglia" in his new home.