Movie reviews: 'Equalizer 3' an entertainingly efficient finale to the franchise

This week, pop culture critic Richard Crouse reviews new movies 'Equalizer 3,' 'Bottoms,' 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' and 'Zombie Town.'

For an avenging angel, a righter of wrongs, it seems the work is never done. Take the world-weary Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), former government assassin turned protector of the exploited and oppressed in “Equalizer 3,” for instance. After taking a bullet on the job, he takes time out to recuperate in a southern Italian village. As he ponders his own salvation over a cup of tea in a local cafe, he tells people he’s retired from “government work,” and settles in to enjoy a quiet life in his new home.

Trouble is, violence seems to follow this guy around like a trained puppy.

The trouble comes in the form of Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio), a Mafia kingpin looking to take over the town and establish a base for his operations.

“What happens here,” says McCall’s new friend, Enzo (Remo Girone), “happens in many towns. The Mafia. They’re a cancer. No cure.”

Not one to accept threats and extortion as a way of life, McCall sends a warning.

“Whatever it is you and your friends do,” he says, “do it somewhere else.”

“You warning me?” says Vincent’s brother, Mafia tough guy Marco Quaranta (Andrea Dodero).