"The Equalizer 3," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington, marks their fifth collaboration and potentially the final installment in the franchise. The film opens with a gripping scene in Sicily, where Washington's character, Robert McCall, a former hitman turned phantom, retrieves a mysterious package after a brutal showdown in a picturesque villa turned gruesome crime scene.

This scene sets the tone for the film's departure from its previous iterations, characterized by stomach-turning violence and a reliance on impractical effects. Despite its initial promise as a nuts-and-bolts action series, "The Equalizer 3" deviates into a realm that might leave audiences puzzled.

Fuqua and Washington's partnership, which began with the critically acclaimed "Training Day," seems to have taken a different trajectory. This film could be seen as an attempt to mirror the dynamic of Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart, where Stewart ventured into darker stories with Mann's Westerns. However, "The Equalizer 3" falls short of tapping into that rich thematic potential.

Set in a quaint Italian village, the story follows McCall as he recovers from injuries sustained in the villa raid. A local cop, Gio, and a doctor, Enzo, assist him. The film adopts a Western-style narrative, with McCall initially reluctant to intervene in the village's problems, dominated by a young gang leader, Marco. As expected, McCall eventually takes a stand, echoing classic Western heroes.

Cinematographer Robert Richardson infuses the film with chiaroscuro lighting, enhancing Washington's portrayal of McCall as a seasoned, dangerous figure. Despite these artistic efforts, the film's excessive brutality makes it challenging to root for McCall.

The subplot involves Dakota Fanning as CIA Agent Emma Collins, marking her reunion with Washington since "Man on Fire." Collins' character arc, from a desk job to fieldwork based on a tip from McCall, is poorly executed. Her performance, lacking in the gravitas necessary for the role, fails to convincingly portray a competent agent.

The film's action sequences also disappoint, lacking in imagination, effective editing, and a memorable score. Instead, the movie leans heavily on gore to compensate for its unimpressive choreography.

Washington's performance is the film's saving grace, with his portrayal of McCall showing signs of unpredictability. It's unclear if McCall is still the grieving widower or if he's evolving into a more psychopathic character.

In comparison to the "John Wick" franchise, which debuted the same year as the first "Equalizer" film, "The Equalizer 3" struggles to maintain an emotional core, narrative continuity, and a sense of enjoyment within its genre. Ultimately, the film represents a missed opportunity, leaving the "Equalizer" series feeling uneven and lacking the depth and excitement of its contemporaries.