I have liked each of the first two “Equalizer” movies, although I’ve never seen either the original television series or the new one.  These first two movies have established ex-CIA guy Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) as a fastidious man with a keen sense of right and wrong, as well as the skills and determination to set wrongs right, often in deadly fashion.  If one is surprised by the enduring popularity of this character — in all his and her variations — one shouldn’t be, given the current state of the world and the appeal of a person to defend the rights (and lives) of the downtrodden.  It’s a great premise, as evidenced by its continuing forms.

Antoine Fuqua’s film finds McCall in Sicily.  He says he’s retired but the opening sequence has him wiping out everyone at a winery.  His own foolishness results in a bullet wound, and he recuperates in the small town of Altomonte (actually picturesque Altrani).  McCall heals not only his back but his soul as he is quickly accepted by the local populace and he learns to love the place.  Then the Camorra moves in, and he is forced into action once again.

What really works with these movies is the focus on McCall’s quandary about killing, and the efforts he makes to avoid it.  Despite being a loner he is a people person, and he genuinely enjoys helping people.  Especially when it involves physical retribution.  There is a great deal of violence in this third episode, and not enough hesitation or guilt about it.  McCall has three sequences where he single-handedly shoots, stabs, slices and dices his way through the Sicilian mob, and I felt it was too much, especially since the character didn’t seem to have the proper motivation for his mayhem.  And then, in the final five minutes or so, everything becomes clear and I felt a lot better about it.  But it’s a risk to wait until so late to provide the motive for such violence, and I enjoyed the film a bit less because of that decision.

The best things about the movie are Denzel Washington’s performance, which is restrained yet highly effective, and the wonderfully picturesque setting of this coastal mountain town.  I have never been to Italy but this movie makes me want to pack my bags immediately.  I cannot imagine a more desirable setting for this story; the setting works its magic not only on McCall but the audience, and it really, really works.  Just keep those terrorists and drug kingpins out, please.  What a place!  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  30 January 2024.