The Equalizer 3-Movie Collection Blu-ray Review
“The Equalizer 3-Movie Collection” hits home video.
It’s hard to believe that in Denzel Washington’s storied career he has only ever done 2 sequels and both are in the Equalizer franchise that he produces and stars in. Equally rare is the fact that the film trilogy (which is based on the 1985 TV series of the same name) is entirely directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk. The central character of this series is Robert McCall- a former Marine and DIA agent who faked his own death to live a normal life.
In the first film, Robert is working at a Home Depot esque store. He lives a simple life in Boston where he reads books and drinks tea when he’s not working. He frequents a diner where a kind teen prostitute (Teri) often shows up at. When Teri gets in trouble with her Russian mafia traffickers (who are part of a larger criminal operation), Robert decides to come out of retirement to bring the whole operation down which includes corrupt cops, the leader Vladimir Pushkin and Pushkin’s operative Teddy. Sometimes he will give the criminals an opportunity to redeem themselves…if they deserve it.
In “The Equalizer 2,” Robert is now working as a Lyft driver in Boston. Once again, Robert’s peaceful life becomes interrupted when his friend Susan is murdered. As Robert investigates this very personal case, he discovers a former co-worker is responsible. Naturally, Robert dishes out some brutal revenge for those responsible. There’s also a key subplot involving Robert helping a neighbor (Miles) from staying out of trouble.
Robert gets a chance of scenery in the third entry as he ventures to Italy. After wrapping up a job, Robert is shot. He recoups in the Italy town Altamonte where he starts to feel at home. As you might guess, trouble once again finds Robert as he discovers an Italian mafia group known as the Camorra are trying to take over the town by any means necessary. There’s also a key plot involving a CIA agent (Emma Collins).
Although there are definite shades of the Bourne franchise among others, “The Equalizer” franchise has come into its own. The first film suffers from a murky plot, an overlong runtime, and an odd final act with a showdown at a Home Depot like store, but there’s a lot to like. Denzel Washington really makes the character of Robert McCall his own and carries the first film (and the series for that matter). Not only does he give understated and layered performances in all 3 films, but he delivers some spectacularly violent action sequences to boot.
“The Equalizer 2” is a tighter movie overall, but it’s the weakest of the 3. It retreads ideas but this installment does have a personal nature to it for McCall. Pedro Pascal is a welcome addition to the cast, but it’s hard to buy his character. It feels too forced. Likewise, the plot line with Miles felt like some after school special even if it is in line with Robert wanting to help others. The final act is also quite strange and felt like some elaborate “Home Alone” esque trap (in a hurricane no less).
Believe it or not, “The Equalizer 3” is by far the best of the 3. Director Antoine Fuqua makes this entry more stylish and dare I say arty. It really focuses on Robert’s vulnerability while also exploring his desire to help a community. His takedown of the Camorra features the bloodiest and most intense action in the entire series. Sure, it may feel like one big Italy excursion for Denzel Washington and the crew, but the setting change really benefited the franchise as a whole. If this is to be the last sequel, the franchise certainly went out on top.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.40:1 1080p for the first 2 films and 2.39:1 1080p for the third film. How do they look? All 3 films get superb transfers.
Audio Tracks: 7.1 DTS-HD MA for the first 2 and 5.1 DTS-HD MA for the 3rd. How do they sound? I’m not entirely sure why the third film didn’t receive a 7.1 track as well, but regardless all 3 tracks are super clean. The 2nd film probably fares the best audio wise with the hurricane scenes sounding especially noteworthy.
Extras:
* Digital copies of all 3 films.
* The Equalizer- Vengeance Mode (picture-in-picture extra), Sony trailers, photo gallery, “Home Mart: Taking Care Of Business One Bolt At A Time” (faux store ad), “Inside The Equalizer” (a featurette on the Robert McCall character and adapting the show to a film), “Denzel Washington: A Different Kind Of Superhero” (a featurette on Denzel and his character), “Equalizer Vision: Antoine Fuqua” (about Fuqua’s directorial style), “Children Of The Night” (about Chloe Grace Moretz and her character), and “One Man Army: Training And Fighting” (an extra about the fight/action scenes, choreography and Denzel and the Robert character’s weapons).
* The Equalizer 2- Retribution Mode (another picture-in-picture extra), “Equalizer Trivia” pop up, Sony trailers, 10 deleted/extended scenes, “Denzel As McCall: Round 2” (a look at Denzel doing his first sequel along with the film’s characters and story), “Seconds Till Death: Action Breakdown” (self-explanatory), “Through Antoine’s Lens: The Cast” (cast and character featurette), and NBA TV Promos with outtakes.
* The Equalizer 3- 9 deleted scenes, a music lyric video for “Monster” by Jacob Banks, Sony trailers, “Postcards From The Amalfi Coast” (about the Italy setting and culture), “Denzel And Dakota: A Reunion” (about the two reuniting on screen after starring in Man On Fire”), “Robert McCall: A Man Of The People” (a character featurette), “Call To Action” (a featurette on the action scenes), and “Blood Brothers: The Collaboration Of Denzel Washington And Antoine Fuqua” (which covers the collaboration between the actor and director).
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