The Equalizer 3 2023

Best opening scene in the series. It immediately feels more cinematic, and the darker, old school brown color grading gives the film a different identity from the first two. To me, it almost foreshadows that this third installment is going for a more reflective and final chapter kind of tone. It even reminds me a bit of The Godfather Part III (1990), especially with that end of an era feeling and, of course, the Italian setting. Robert’s recovery also gives me The Dark Knight Rises (2012) vibes. He is a fallen hero trying to heal from both physical and mental wounds, and there is that hesitation to return to what he used to do because part of him just wants to finally live a quiet and peaceful life. I know, I know, you have a bigger budget, but putting in the mafia, drugs, and terrorists is not the answer for me. The Equalizer is at its best when it stays grounded and focuses more on the characters instead of overpopulating the cast. Once you keep adding more criminal organizations and side characters, it starts to lose that intimate vigilante feel. And the mafia boss really disappointed me. Why does the mafia boss just become a screaming, cowardly, frustrated bitch in the end? For someone positioned as the main threat, that is such weak characterization. He never becomes the kind of villain who feels worthy of Robert McCall.