Retired Assassin Faces Mafia in “Equalizer 3” Showdown

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), an avenging angel and former government assassin, seemingly embarks on a path of tranquillity in an idyllic Italian village in “Equalizer 3”. Claiming retirement from “government work”, McCall finds himself once again embroiled in chaos as violence appears to seek him out like a keenly trained hound.

His quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio), a Mafia kingpin intending to seize the town as a base for his nefarious operations. Echoing the sentiments of many towns before, McCall’s newfound friend, Enzo (Remo Girone), comments on the rampant infiltration of the mafia, comparing it aptly to an incurable cancer.

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Not one to stay idle in the face of threats and extortion, McCall issues a stern warning to these invaders. His words find themselves reaching the ears of Vincent’s brother, Marco Quaranta (Andrea Dodero), a hardened mafia figure.

Parallel to these events, CIA agent Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning) is fervently tracking McCall, endeavoring to unmask his true nature. “The Equalizer 3” presents a classic vengeance storyline that gains momentum with each gruesome act committed by Robert McCall.

Under director Antoine Fuqua, the movie unfolds with a host of stock characters, a dichotomy of villains without redemption and good-natured Italian villagers. McCall enters this narrative as an intriguing juxtaposition of ruthlessness and benevolence, delivering a thrilling and merciless form of justice.

Amidst an array of typical revenge films, Washington’s charismatic representation of McCall sets “The Equalizer 3” apart, transforming the brutal character into something more complex and engaging for the audience. The film, running an efficient one hour and 43 minutes, caps the franchise with an explosive denouement, in every sense of the word.

In a whole different world comes “Bottoms,” an audacious merger of “American Pie” and “Fight Club.” Starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennot, the story follows high school underdogs Josie and PJ, who orchestrate a radical scheme to win the affections of their crushes. When an unfortunate circumstance involving a female student and a rival football team arises, the two outsiders form a fight club, resulting in unforeseen repercussions.

Humorous and candid, “Bottoms” offers an authentic take on the tribulations of adolescence, propped up by Edebiri and Sennot’s undeniable on-screen chemistry.

In contrast, “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” delves into the realm of growth and friendship through the narrative of twelve-year-old best friends Stacy Friedman (Sunny Sandler) and Lydia Rodriguez (Samantha Lorraine) who are embarking on their journey of womanhood. The narrative follows the duo through school, first crushes, their impending bat mitzvahs, and a testing of their friendship like never before.

With its candid depiction of adolescence, complemented by the charming performances of Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine, the film breathes life into the age-old story arc of friendships and fall-outs, making it an engaging and relatable addition to the realm of young adult cinema.

Finally, R.L. Stine’s novel “Zombie Town” springs to life on the big screen, revealing the tale of Carverville, a small town named after legendary B-movie horror director Len Carver (Dan Aykroyd). The narrative follows Mike (Marlon Kazadi), a non-fan of zombie movies and Amy (Madi Monroe), who supersedes their fear and steps up to save their zombified town from an eerie curse.

Although the movie lacks a sense of peril and fright, Aykroyd’s portrayal of the tormented filmmaker, coupled with surprise cameo appearances, adds a hint of texture to the narrative, making “Zombie Town” an entertaining, albeit tame, portrayal of adventure and the supernatural.