By Jadyn Iby
Contributing Writer
The “Equalizer 3” premiered in U.S. theaters on Sept. 1, leaving many wondering if this would be the last movie for the franchise.
As a fellow lover of the “Equalizer” franchise, I can say that this movie was definitely a good watch. If you are looking for something powerful and exhilarating then this movie is for you.
It was a great showing of what the franchise encompasses. We automatically think that Denzel Washington, 68, couldn’t possibly pull off another one of these action-packed movies, but he can. As an actor, he immerses himself in his work, and that’s why many people enjoy his movies. He really becomes the character that he plays, and I think that is one of the most important skills that an actor can have when it comes to making a good movie.
In the first and second movies, we are introduced to the character Robert McCall (Washington), a CIA agent. Many fans, and also some characters, of the franchise know him as a vigilante killing machine who serves justice for the oppressed and haunts those who deserve to be punished. If you aren’t familiar with the first two movies, I do suggest watching them before watching this third one so you have some background on his past and how he finds himself in southern Italy as a retired CIA agent.
In this third movie, McCall plans to retire to the coast of southern Italy. He ends up really liking the area and the people that live in the small village he’s in. However, McCall’s past of being in the CIA and killing follows him. He has always had a difficult time deciding whether or not he’s a good person, and this tension pops up a lot throughout the movie. He gets fed up with the Camorra (the local Italian mafia) terrorizing and bullying the village and its people, and decides to put an end to the Camorra to save the village.
Throughout the expansion of the franchise, there is a theme of destiny and being in a place that you were meant to be in. I think the director of this film, Antoine Fuqua, portrayed this theme very well throughout the film, especially given that the setting on the Amalfi Coast is so different from the setting of Boston in the previous two films. McCall finds this small village and connects with the people there, allowing him to feel comfortable and feel like he belongs; he’s where he’s meant to be. After losing his wife in the first movie, he seems to not know what his purpose is or where he belongs. I applaud the director for spicing things up a bit and portraying the retiring aspect of his life well.
In the previous two movies, the tone has been professional. He calmly just breaks another character’s arm, or shoots someone in the head without any mistakes or emotion. He is smooth and concise with all of his planning and killing. McCall often times himself with his stopwatch, which implies to me that he tries to make the most of his time. McCall has always had a calmness to him which gives him the perfect cover for actually being a killing machine. He fits in well with the Italian village; he is courteous, charming, and smooth. McCall is thrown right into conflict in the opening scenes of the movie and acts calmly as bullets are flying. I think that’s what intrigues me the most about McCall and his character: he is not fazed by any form of violence.
This movie kept me constantly engaged and on the edge of my seat. I strongly encourage all of you “Equalizer” fans to go and watch this new film. And even more intriguing, Antoine Fuqua, in an interview with Total Film, stated that he’d consider making a fourth “Equalizer,” but only if Denzel Washington continued to play McCall. We can only hope that the infamous Denzel Washington will coolly stroll into a fourth “Equalizer.”
While the movie was great, I also got to experience a different kind of theater that will likely be my go-to movie destination while at Saint Rose: The Madison Theater, located at 1036 Madison Avenue, just a couple blocks north of campus. This cute and fun little attraction is a perfect theater to bring friends and family to. Before we knew it as the Madison Theater, it was called the Pine Hills Theater. The theater has been here for 90 years, since its opening in May, 1929. They are a dine-in theater and are passionate about making their environment friendly and relaxing. While you are watching the movie, you are encouraged to order while seated, sit back and relax. In addition to their restaurant and in-seat ordering, they also have a local craft beer bar. I strongly encourage you to check out the theater, and the “Equalizer 3!”
