The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington. The movie is set in Sicily, Italy, where Robert McCall, played by Washington, gets into trouble with the mafia. The film was released in the United States on September 1, 2023, and has received generally positive reviews from critics. It has grossed $190 million worldwide against a $70 million budget.
The film has been described as an entertaining action movie with satisfying action sequences, beautiful scenery, and a solid performance by Denzel Washington. The movie has been well-received by audiences and may leave viewers hoping for a fourth installment.
Plot
The plot revolves around McCall's efforts to free his new friends in a small town in South Italy from intimidation by members of the Camorra. As events turn deadly, McCall sets out to free them from intimidation by members of the Camorra.
Trailer
Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Robert McCall
- Dakota Fanning as Emma Collins
- Eugenio Mastrandrea as Gio Bonucci
- David Denman as Frank Conroy
- Sonia Ben Ammar as Chiara Bonucci
- Remo Girone as Enzo Arisio
- Gaia Scodellaro as Aminah
- Andrea Scarduzio as Vincent Quaranta
- Andrea Dodero as Marco Quaranta
- Salvatore Ruocco as Salvatore
- Alessandro Pess as Vichingo
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Richard Wenk
Box Office Gross: $189,983,400
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2023
Themes & Reception
The Equalizer 3 has been described as an entertaining action movie with satisfying action sequences, beautiful scenery, and a solid performance by Washington. The film has a personal and character-focused screenplay, giving more time for McCall to reflect on the horrific deeds of his past. The movie has been praised for its thrilling visuals and cinematography.
The themes of the movie include vigilante justice, redemption, and community. The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the action and Denzel Washington's performance, while others criticize the predictable plot and contrived storyline. Despite mixed reviews, the movie has grossed $190 million worldwide.
Challenges Faced
During the production of The Equalizer 3, director Antoine Fuqua faced several challenges, including shooting in a difficult location like the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which was beautiful but complicated to get all the equipment and everything there.
Despite the challenges, Fuqua enjoyed returning for the third installment in the Equalizer franchise and said he can't wait for fans to watch it. The movie's production history was also challenging, with the adaptation of "The Equalizer" being trapped in development hell for years before it was able to arrive in movie theaters in September 2014.
The film's violent content also created challenges for the production, with Fuqua planning to take a break from violent movies after The Equalizer 3.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The Equalizer 3 features a visual style that captures the beauty of Southern Italy, where the movie is set. The filmmakers aimed to capture a pre-dawn ambiance characterized by cool tones and shadows, just before the sunrise, to convey Robert McCall's transformation from a shadowy past to a beacon of justice.
The movie's cinematographer, Robert Richardson, reconstructed the highlights 100% with all of the detail and color matching, which was quite extraordinary. The film's visual effects work has been described as practical, with the mandate of the filmmaker and cinematographer being to capture as much in-camera as possible. The film's visual motifs include blood running into red wine and other violent imagery.
Setting
The Equalizer 3 is primarily set in Italy, particularly on the Amalfi Coast, with additional filming locations in Rome and Naples. The film showcases the beautiful and scenic Mediterranean setting, featuring the lush coastline, ancient churches, and picturesque beaches as backdrops for various scenes.
The decision to film on location in Italy, including the Amalfi Coast, was made to fully capture the stunning and authentic backdrop for the movie, rather than using similar-looking locations within the United States.
Trivia
• This is the second time Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning have appeared on screen together, the first being 19 years prior to The Equalizer 3.
• The film features a scene in Sicily at a vineyard owned by a crime lord named Lorenzo Vitale, played by Bruno Bilotta.
• The movie marks Washington's return as Robert McCall, a character he previously portrayed in The Equalizer and The Equalizer 2.
• The production team faced challenges while shooting on the Amalfi Coast in Italy due to the difficulty of transporting equipment to the location.
Fun Fact
Here's a fun fact about Denzel Washington: Despite being a highly acclaimed actor, he is known for doing his own stunts, including fight scenes in movies like "The Book of Eli". This showcases his dedication to his craft and his willingness to immerse himself fully in the roles he portrays.