Antoine Fuqua, the acclaimed director known for his diverse portfolio of films, has yet to venture into the horror genre. However, with the release of “The Equalizer 3,” he comes remarkably close to treading on eerie territory. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of this violent trilogy, where action meets horror, and the lines between hero and villain blur in a frenzy of gory deaths and relentless pursuit.
An Unconventional Hero
In “The Equalizer” series, the audience is introduced to Robert McCall, played by the legendary Denzel Washington. He is not your typical hero. Instead, he is a vigilante who takes it upon himself to slaughter criminals in order to save innocents from exploitation and murder. The twist? The victims here aren’t your stereotypical horror movie characters – virgins and co-eds. Instead, they are Russian mobsters, American mercenaries, and the Italian mafia. Robert McCall wields everything from a corkscrew to his enemies’ own guns as he dispenses his brutal form of justice.
Robert’s central question in each film, “What do you see when you look at me?” stabs at a debate, but the franchise lacks moral ambiguity. It firmly positions Robert as a good man, and every other character falls definitively into either good or evil, with no gray areas in between. These movies offer little room for contemplation, except for the audience’s guessing game of which everyday object Robert will turn into a deadly weapon next, whether it’s a wine bottle or a meat cleaver.
However, a notable aspect is that Robert never metes out justice to a single female character throughout the three films, which raises questions about gender representation in the franchise. Women here often appear as murder victims or damsels in distress, seemingly devoid of agency in a world dominated by good and bad men.
Fuqua’s Artistic Vision
Antoine Fuqua’s direction in “The Equalizer” series stands out for its meticulous attention to visual detail and distinctive settings. Each film is set in a different location, whether it’s the original film’s Boston, the coastal Massachusetts town in the sequel, or an Italian village in “The Equalizer 3.” Fuqua’s knack for thoughtfully constructed shots and creating a sense of place sets these movies apart from generic action fare, where violence is often captured without much finesse.
It’s important to acknowledge the craftsmanship that goes into these films, even if they occasionally miss the mark when it comes to delivering a deeper message. Fuqua’s gritty style and visual flair are undeniable, and they add an extra layer of richness to the franchise.
Denzel Washington’s Performance
Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Robert McCall is a standout feature of “The Equalizer” series. Despite the ludicrous carnage and often silly scripts, Washington’s dedication to the role is evident. He infuses McCall with nuance and charm, making the character watchable even when the violence on screen becomes hard to stomach. Washington’s ability to shift seamlessly between moments of warning and action adds depth to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional.
A Better Script
“The Equalizer 3” benefits from a screenplay by Richard Wenk that is superior to its predecessor. The film opens with Robert McCall taking down a notorious criminal in Sicily, and while it goes to great lengths to clarify that Sicily is in Italy, the audience’s intelligence is seemingly underestimated. As McCall recuperates in the small town of Altomonte, the movie explores his desire for a quieter life and his reluctance to stand by as gangsters threaten his newfound friends.
While “The Equalizer 3” follows a similar formula to its predecessors, it manages to strike a better balance between storytelling and action. The plot is less messy than that of the 2018 sequel, but it avoids the trap of becoming overly neat and overly imbued with meaning.
Conclusion
While “The Equalizer 3” may not scale the same artistic peaks as Denzel Washington’s celebrated performances in other films, it undeniably delivers a distinctive cinematic experience. Fuqua’s direction and Washington’s acting prowess elevate the franchise above the conventional action movie landscape, and the screenplay exhibits noticeable improvement compared to previous chapters. Enthusiasts of the series will discover gratification in this latest installment, while those previously deterred by its predictable storytelling or harshness may still find it a thought-provoking viewing experience. With “The Equalizer 3” poised to make its theatrical debut, it promises another round of exhilarating and graphic action and the potential for subtle depths concealed beneath the surface.
