“The Equalizer 3” is a terrific thriller, right up there with some of the best.

Denzel Washington is tremendous, reprising his role as Robert McCall, a Marine and Defense Intelligence Agency officer.

In a not-so-sunny Italy, McCall uncovers drug smuggling operating out of a winery on Sicily. McCall is shot and wounded.

McCall is rescued by Gio Bonucci (Eugenio Mastrandrea), who takes him to Enzo Arisio (Remo Girone), an off-the-grid doctor who patches him up and oversees his return to health.

McCall happily settles into the rhythm of life in the small Italian coastal town of Altamonte. McCall hangs out at a cafe where he befriends its owner, Aminah (Gaia Scodellaro).

Meanwhile, McCall tips off CIA operative Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning), who with Frank Conroy (David Denman) begins investigating the Camorra, one of Italy’s oldest crime families, headed by sadistic brothers Vincent Quaranta (Andrea Scarduzio) and Marco Quaranta (Andrea Dodero), who seek to strengthen their control of Altamonte.

The stellar performance by Denzel Washington and the bristling direction by Antoine Fuqua are the reasons to see “The Equalizer 3,” a thriller that is a mix, in a good cinematic way, of “The Godfather” movies (1972, 1974, 1990), “The French Connection” (1971, 1975) and ”Scarface” (1983).

The cities and towns, and the people of southern Italy, with an apparent fulcrum of power divided between the violence of the mafia and the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, provides a fascinating backdrop for the film’s action scenes.

“The Equalizer 3” is the fifth collaboration between actor Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” 2001; “The Equalizer,” 2014); “Magnificent 7,” 2016, and “The Equalizer 2,” 2018).

Fuqua films Washington in many scenes where McCall is relaxing, which makes the contrast even more startling when the Marine springs into action. The movie’s depiction of violence borders on the stomach-churning.

Fuqua directs from a bare-bones but effective screenplay by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”; “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” 2016) based on the television series, “The Equalizer” (1985-1989), created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim (1939-2021). Queen Latifah stars as Robyn McCall in the CBS-TV reboot of “The Equalizer” (2021, with season four set for 2024).

Washington (two-time Oscar winner, actor “Training Day,” 2002; supporting actor, “Glory,” 1990; 10-time Oscar nominee, including lead actor, “The Tragedy of Macbeth,“ 2022, and ”Fences,” 2017), wears the role of McCall (“That’s two cs,” he reminds people.) like a comfortable shirt.

With Washington’s head shaven, the focus is on his penetrating, all-observant and reflective eyes and the ruminative overbite and screwed-down lower lip, which reveals a stir of conflicting emotions. His countenance is rueful, sometimes grim, which makes his amiable smile, which he flashes a few times, all the more welcoming.

Dakota Fanning (“Once Upon a Time In Hollywood,” 2019; “The Twilight Saga,” 2009, 2010, 2012; “Man on Fire,“ 2004: “I Am Sam,” 2001) is unexpected and disarming in the role of CIA agent Emma.

The cinematography by Director of Photography Robert Richardson (Oscar recipient, “Hugo,” 2012; “The Aviator,” 2005; “JFK,” 1992) is impressive and evocative.

Composer Marcelo Zarvos brings a dynamic sound to the scenes, heightening the tension.

“The Equalizer 3” is a powerful, entertaining and engrossing thriller. It’s a must-see for fans of actor Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua.

“The Equalizer 3,”

MPAA Rated R (Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.) for strong bloody violence and some language; Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller; Run time: 1 hour, 49 minutes. Distributed by Sony Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

The soundtrack of “The Equalizer 3” includes “The Good Life” (“La Belle Vie”) with music by Sacha Distel, French lyrics by Jean Broussolle, English lyrics by Jack Reardon, and performed by Sacha Distel. Also on the soundtrack is “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot,” written by Giacomo Puccini and Franco Alfano, with libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, and performed by Tito Beltran and the City Of Prague Orchestra. Filming locations include Minori, Ravello, Atrani, Maiori, all Campania, Italy, and Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy.

At The Movies:

“The Equalizer 3” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC. It has been available in Imax. The standard digital format would be fine.

Theatrical Movie Weekend Box Office,

Sept. 15-17: “The Nun II” continued at No. 1 for two weeks in a row, $14.7 million in 3,743 theaters, $56.5 million, two weeks, keeping “A Haunting in Venice” opening at No. 2 with $14.5 million in 3,305 theaters.

3. “The Equalizer 3” dropped one place, $7.2 million in 3,528 theaters, $73.6 million, three weeks. 4. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” dropped one place, $4.7 million in 3,678 theaters, $18.5 million, two weeks. 5. “Barbie” stayed in place, $3.9 million in 3,012 theaters, $626.1 million, nine weeks. 6. “Jawan” dropped two places, $2.4 million in 776 theaters, $12.1 million, two weeks. 7. “Blue Beetle” dropped one place, $2.4 million in 2,386 theaters, $67.2 million, five weeks. 8. “Gran Turismo” dropped one place, $2.3 million in 2,202 theaters, $39.4 million, four weeks. 9. “Oppenheimer” dropped one place, $2.1 million in 1,799 theaters, $318.6 million, nine weeks. 10. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” dropped one place, $2 million in 2,066 theaters, $114.1 million, seven weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Sept. 17 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Sept. 22:

“The Expend4bles,”

R: Scott Waugh directs Jason Statham, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, 50 Cent, Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggenhart, Max Adams, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone in the Action, Adventure, Thriller. The Expendables are said to be the world’s last line of defense. Fortunately, there’s a new team in town.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Sept. 13 is subject to change.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes