Rating: 
Summary: Good well constructed film
Review: This film is probably mainly of interest to the general film goer for Denzil Washington's Oscar winning performance. However the film is worth seeing for other reasons. The film is a an attempt to make a reasonably realistic portrayal of police corruption. It is also stylistically original is that it deals with a narrow time span of one day. A day which works out rather badly for two police officers.The script is carefully constructed so that certain events which seem to be random at first, are shown at the end to fit into a more complex whole as the story unfolds. The film is set in Los Angles and a number of real gang members have been used for the walk on parts and extras. The use of some non professional actors gives the film a grittier more realistic film than the endless parade of character actors normally used in such productions. The film is not entertaining in the conventional sense. It is more a harrowing experience which is close to totally bleak. Despite that the film is engrossing and Denzil Washington gives performance which is certainly powerful if not quite the best of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Raunchy, Rude, Realistic
Review: This is not for the good-natured, optimistic viewer. This movie is hard-core, raunchy, rude, crude, and in your face about the realities of police politics and interworkings. A sensitive viewer should not see this movie; however, I appreciated both Ethan Hawk and Denzel Washington (one of my favorite actors) in this interplay trajedy up to par with what Shakespear would have done today.
Rating: 
Summary: HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This movie is the hottest of the year.This movie was a great way for Denzel to show his real talent.He took on a role that is totaly different from any other he has done.Hawk also had an alstar act in the movie.If you like any gangster movies and/or drug movies you will love this.If you like this you should check out the movie Colors. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Come on, it's terrible!
Review: Training Day had been recommended to me by several people I respect, so I rented it last night. I wish I could agree that it was good, but... whoa. QUITE the contrary. It stunk like Schwartzenegger and Stallone in a B.O. contest. The first hour or so wasn't bad: the criminals and cops portrayed were admirably ruthless, and the rendering of the streets was almost totally convincing. It did get a little old how Denzel kept pulling the car over to lay something heavy on Ethan Hawke, and it was a little strange that Hawke knew nothing of police corruption after serving on the force for 19 months (I know more about it just from reading the paper). But these are small quibbles, and the movie seemed alright on the whole. Then it took an abrupt turn into Stupidland. Suddenly the ruthless criminals started acting like pussycats. Suddenly Hawke exhibited the healing powers of Wolverine after being beaten within an inch of his life. Suddenly the villain began passing up easy opportunities to shoot the hero (e.g., when he climbed onto the roof), even though he wanted him dead. And, most telling of all, suddenly the hero got one of those hunches that's always right, one of those Hollywood hunches that heroes in lousy movies always get, for no reason except the screenwriters' laziness: I mean Hawke's certainty that he'd find Denzel (who for all he knows is on his way to pay off some Russian gangsters) at his girlfriend's house in the Hood. And of course, the Boyz N the Hood all suddenly love Hawke, and willingly "get his back," even though an hour or so ago their malice toward his badge and white skin was only held in check by the sheltering presence of Denzel. This is one of the hallmarks of mediocrity in movies: when events defy belief on the movie's own terms. When a trio of thugs who are career criminals and rabid cop-haters transform into the world's most impartial jury before your eyes ("Very well, I will call my cousin on the cellphone before killing you!"), and when a streetwise cop tries to escape his death sentence by DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT (as if anyone who's ever seen a cop show or mafia drama on TV couldn't tell him, "Don't go near the airport when there's a price on your head, fool!"), you know you're looking at second-rate, farm league, TV-grade stuff. I don't demand realism as a rule; I like James Bond and over-the-top action movies; but a movie that's supposed to be gritty has got to commit to realism. Other reviewers have theorized that this movie's script was started by a good writer and finished by a bad one. That strikes me as very probable.
Rating: 
Summary: Denzel makes this one great...
Review: The strength of this movie is Denzel Washington and his ability to keep you wondering if he's a bad guy or a good guy. The first time I saw it I was a bit disappointed by the lack of principles and guts of the Ethan Hawk character... but the second time I watched it I realized how difficult it was for him to know whether he was being tested or corrupted. He was in over his head and he knew it. Very well written and really great acting!!!!
Rating:
Summary: What an awful movie
Review: I thought with the Oscar award given to Denzel that this would be a great movie, with great acting. Boy was I disappointed, what a stinker. If this is indicative of how Oscars get selected, I guess garbage like this will win many more. Don't waste your time or money.
Rating:
Summary: I am a little late with this review, but....
Review: I didn't see this film in the theater, I rented the DVD. So many of the reviews were slanted toward whether Denzel's performance was worthy of an Oscar. It wasn't. I was too bent out of shape of Billy Bob Thornton not even being nominated for Monsters Ball to get involved. After watching a pretty great film, it wasn't Denzel's best, but certainly that shouldn't stop anyone from seeing the film. That having been said, we can move on. It was interesting to see Denzel stretch his acting ability to at least the 'darker' side of man. The premise of the movie was interesting and somewhat disconcerting, especially to someone with police personnel in their family and social circle. The supporting cast was very believable and the on-location filming lent an air of real grit and believability to this film. I am way over the age-limit some of the reviewers were suggesting for this film and I am of the wrong gender based on many reviews. However, I want to enourage older viewers and those of the female persuasion to give this film a chance. Further, I strongly recommend watching the DVD versus VHS. The 'director's commentary' covering the entire film was mesmerizing and very informative. I wish all DVDs would offer this awesome type of inside information from the film's director. It a whole new territory of insight to the viewer and it made watching the film for the second time as intriquing, if not more even more enjoyable, than the first.
Rating:
Summary: Over the top fun.
Review: If you don't like Denzel Washington or Ethan Hawke, don't worry, because this isn't their typical movie. If you're anything like me, you'll laugh out loud as the ironic nature of Denzel Washington's character, which is, a laid back narcotics officer which reminds me of Vic Mackey from The Shield. Ethan Hawke gives a beleivable performance, bringing his rookie cop on the rise to life. This wasn't cinematic excellence, but it was certainly worth watching and it raised serious questions about the purpose of law enforcement.
Rating:
Summary: Denzel Is Riveting
Review: Denzel has my vote for best actor, maybe of all time. On another level, however, this film bothers me. I'm not really sure what the message is. I'm not sure what option this leaves us as a people whose police force, for the most part, is corrupt and morally bankrupt. It seems to be saying that most cops are corrupt and that those who aren't are naive or powerless. If this is true, where does that leave the rest of us? Are we, like the rookie cops, naive and powerless?...
Rating:
Summary: tour de force
Review: What a powerhouse of a movie! I didn't see it until after the academy awards and I had my doubts.The awards are often political or based on past record in addition to present work. Denzel Washington deserved his award and then some. His turnabout from his good guy image was total and chilling.What surprised me was Ethan Hawke's performance! He was fantastic. I really didn't know he had it in him.Washington and Hawke simply couldn't have been better. The movie is rough and thought provoking.Watch it but be prepared to feel the impact.
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