Training Day

After this year's Academy Awards, I railed against the academics for not giving the Oscar to Russell Crowe, but after watching Training Day, I have to give them credit because Denzel Washington really got me. And not only him, but also Ethan Hawke, who also deserved the golden baldie. The film itself also deserves praise, it features a lot of directorial ideas and has an interesting plot. PS: You must see the original version, the bad dubbing brings the final rating down... (01/06/2002)

A police officer can do everything, is the basic axiom that experienced veteran Denzel Washington pulls out on the rookie he is accepting onto his team. Training Day is a stylized probe into the world of drug dealers, corrupt police officers, junkies, street gangs, and the filth of the city. During a single day, the protagonist played by Ethan Hawke loses any illusions about his profession, colleagues, and police career. It's a shame about the Hollywood clichés, which mainly affected the dragged-out finale and the necessary happy ending with the punishment of evil. Overall impression: 80%. (14/01/2010)

A very well written and excellently directed crime drama, where two actors shine above all. Both Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke have their deserved nomination (or Oscar) and deliver truly excellent performances in this gritty ride. The depiction of the flip side of L.A. is not as impressive as Michael Mann's, but the rawness and commitment to the black community is evident here, and most sequences taking place in the dark gang hideouts are very interesting, with a constant dose of tension. Washington is truly a brutal motherfucking “nigga” and fully embraces his role. Also, the “blow everything up in one day” approach by the director was interesting and somewhat innovative. (19/05/2006)