The Equalizer 3 [2023] – Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning on Crave Canada

The Equalizer 3 is not a good ending to this franchise. I’m not really sure why it was approved but it’s just okay.

Bluntly put, it’s a snooze. I loved the first movie, I was okay wit the second, I napped in this one. Fast forward till the end of the movie, and I’m left with the nagging feeling that it should be considerably more engaging, and make better use of its extraordinary star. Way better.

This is the weird thing. Director Antoine Fuqua and its star Denzel Washington seem to prefer that McCall be feared as a vigilante, which is not quite the mission of the first two movies. They seem uninterested in the mechanics of the spy world and the elegance of the first movies, or the television series. In the first two movies, the specter of violence is what thrilled them. In this third installment, it’s barely there. Yes, we have violent scenes, but they barely form 10% of the runtime. Have you seen any of John Whick movies?!

Does it entertain? Yes, until it tires you out. That’s enough equalizing now, thank you very much.

Should You Watch It?

The story is formulaic, the action is good, but rare. With beautiful Italian scenery, and another solid Denzel performance, The Equalizer 3 is a basic popcorn movie that may leave you hoping that it’s the end of the franchise.

Where Can I Watch It?

You can stream The Equalizer 3 on Crave in Canada.