Rating: 
Summary: Finally, The Oscar, to one of the best actors of all time
Review: There is no doubt, that on March 24, 2002, justice was served when The Best Actor Academy Award was given to one the greatest actors of his generation, for what very well be his best performance since Malcolm X (the movie he should have won Best Actor for in 1992) I'm of course talking about the brilliant Mr. Denzel Washington. Everyone is talking about him playing against type in this one, but I see this as a classic Denzel performance, with all the elements we love about him, just more colorful. You can tell he's having fun playing that part when you watch the movie. Let's not forget the Oscar worthy performance from Ethan Hawke, who held his own playing the perfect opposite of Denzel's savage Alonzo Harris. And of course there is the brilliant directing of Pittsburgh native Antoine Fuqua. This has to be his best film to date. Let's also not forget the compelling screenplay by David Ayer, and the rest of the cast, including Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. bottom line, Training Day is a must see. Especially if you're a Denzel fan. And if your not, after this, you'll become one.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful, vicious, brilliant
Review: The intensity of evil portrayed in this film is so strong that it could make you cry. At the same time, Mr. Washington is so scary, so effective, and so astounding, that his Oscar is really well deserved--not that he hasn't been great in other films; he has. But here his acting chops are non-stop fireworks and he is amazing.As Alonzo Harris, the thoroughly corrupt veteran cop in the LAPD Narcotics Division, Washington dominates every scene he's in--which is, in fact, practically every scene in the film save for the very beginning. The viewer can only marvel at this powerhouse performance, so diametrically opposite to his star turns in Devil in a Blue Dress, Malcom X, and other films, that it is almost shocking to see him as a seriously nasty thug. And that's what he is. This serious nastiness permeates the film as we see him and his rookie partner, played by Ethan Hawke, take a tour of L.A.'s seamy side, sniffing out illegal drugs, scaring the ... out of some college kids, putting the finishing touches on a ten-year master drug dealer, halting the rape in progress of a 14 year old girl. Hawke does a great job too; he's tough but has the heart Washington's character had long ago--but lost to street life eating away at his soul. While the story, as such, is essentially a sequence of events--this happens, then that happens, then, etc.--the real reason to see the film is for Mr. W. Denzel Washington, finally nabbing the Oscar for a truly distinguished career up to this point, here turns in an absolutely tour de force performance, not to be missed. There is very disturbing violence and intense evil here. But it is a one-man film and because it is the RIGHT man, it really works. See it.
Rating:
Summary: Smiles & Cries
Review: Terrific movie. I can't say enough good things about it. Denzel Washington gives a superb performance as Alonzo Harris, an LAPD officer from the Narcotics unit who really has an attitude towards everyone who cross in his path. Ethan Hawke is Jake, the rookie police officer who accompanies Alonzo during this "training day". But Alonzo is not really interested in training this rookie, he's more worried about acheiving something Jake is not aware of. And Jake also doesn't know this Alonzo attitude may put his life in danger. Antoine Fuqua, the director of Bait, returns with a marvelous piece of a movie, in which he shows again that he really has the touch for this filmmaking stuff. We all know Denzel won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and even though I didn't even expect a nomination for him when I first saw the film, the truth is he really deserved this award. During the movie, we get to see the transformation of an everyday man, in this case, a police officer, to a desperate man ready to do anything to save his own (rear). In a style that somewhat resembles the 1993 film Falling Down, we accompany this guy on the downward spiral to a definitive conclusion and he doesn't care about bringing his parnter down with him. As the day is dying and the sun approaches the horizon, time is running out for Alonzo Harris and soon, Jake realizes he's the only one who can stop the selfish actions of his superior. But enough about all this, what are you waiting for? Get this one, a really good cop-movie. Great suspense, great acting and a very decent DVD edition. I think Warner is trying to make it up to all of us for those awful DVDs on those early 1997 days.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 2001
Review: This is one hell of a movie. Denzel Washington is awesome in this film and so is Ethan Hawke. The twists and turns that happen are great. This is almost one of my favorite movies of all time. You should really buy this movie because it's absolutely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Epic of CRIME/DRAMA ever told. Denzel Made This.
Review: Denzel Washington plays an oustanding Performance.. and one of the best roles hes played. This show wouldn't be good , if it hadn't been for him and his great role play in one of most powerful Crime/Dramas ever told.
It shows how LA, california is all about.. in the neighborhood of how society can reflect to others who haven't lived that moment.
Denzel made this movie what it is. He can play just about any character. Hes a Legend of hollywood.
Ethan Hawke played well too.
The movie gets real intense.. and gets you on the edge of more and more interests growing in your mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Performances, Average Film
Review: A brutal and disturbing film that attempts to connect you with the underbelly of the streets of downtown Los Angeles, while examining that fragile, thin line between those who enforce the law and those who break it, "Training Day," directed by Antoine Fuqua, is a cautionary morality tale that decidedly points out that what you do and who you are is a matter of free will and personal choice. Beyond the action, it's a study of human nature that explores the necessity of having a moral code by which to live, especially when confronted with that age-old seductress Evil, who can lure even the best of the best across that line from which there is no return. The most disconcerting aspect of the film, however, is in it's portrayal of those in high places who with facility betray those they are sworn to serve and protect, with their flagrant abuse of their position and power, and moreover, seemingly always manage to hold the high ground of advantage over those against whom their misdeeds are perpetrated. Indeed, the burden of proof must always fall to the good guy, and more often than not it is those endowed with a more positive, benevolent nature-- the ones who want to do the right thing-- that find justice elusive and become victims themselves, if only because of their refusal to compromise their own principles. And that is really what is at the heart of Fuqua's film, which very probably will take many viewers to a place they would rather not be. But, as Steve McQueen said in "Bullitt," when asked by his girlfriend how he can stand doing a job that keeps him so close to the gutter, "That's where half of it is--" And in today's world, unfortunately, it may well be that the percentage is even higher; which somewhat elevates the significance of this film. Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), a nineteen month veteran of the L.A.P.D., is about to begin his first day on a new assignment, having landed a spot in the Narcotics Division, where he will be a member of a small squad under the direction of Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington)-- if he measures up to Alonzo's stringent expectations. It's a job he wants, because he sees it as an opportunity to really do some good in the community; it's a place from which he can help rid the streets of drug dealers and other felons. But he quickly discovers that-- as most worthwhile things are in life-- it's just not that easy. As Alonzo is quick to point out, "If you want to protect the sheep from the wolf, you have to become a wolf. It's the wolf that catches the wolf--" Jake also learns that on this day he's going to have to make a lot of decisions, and make them quickly, without the luxury of time to consider all of the possible ramifications. And one of them is put to him directly by Alonzo, who tells him he's going to have to decide what he wants to be, a sheep-- or a wolf. It's something he's going to have to know by the end of the day; and Jake doesn't know it going in, but this day, his "Training Day," is going to be a day that will change his life forever. Fuqua's film is presented honestly and in such a way that it successfully puts the viewer on the streets of L.A., and Jake and Alonzo are credible characters; but the motivation behind Alonzo's ruthlessness is fairly anemic and under-developed. The weakness of the film, in fact, lies in the screenplay (by David Ayer), which though it captures a certain sense of "street-wise" reality, is otherwise rather formulaic and doesn't really have the depth it needs to make it emotionally involving. ...As Alonzo, Denzel Washington gives an excellent performance-- and, quite frankly, this film would be less than average without him-- but whether or not it is deserving of an Oscar is open to speculation. Washington is one of the finest actors in the business, without question, and he's taken on some challenging roles (in which he's been very successful) that make this part pale by comparison. Alonzo Harris is more along the lines of Mel Gibson's Riggs in "Lethal Weapon," or Eastwood's Harry in "Dirty Harry," the difference being that Alonzo is the bad guy. It's a credit to Washington's ability that he was able to make this such a strong character, however, and his Alonzo is certainly believable and real. And, in retrospect, perhaps it is an Oscar-worthy performance; it had to be to overcome the weakness of the script and what he was given to work with. And, again, without Denzel Washington, this film plays for two weeks in the theater and is quickly forgotten when it hits the video store shelf. Hawke gives a strong performance, as well, but that he received an Oscar nomination for it is the stuff of which debates are born. Like Washington, however, Hawke does do a good job of bringing his character to life, and it is one of the strengths of the film. The supporting cast includes Tom Berenger (Stan), Harris Yulin (Doug) and Scott Glenn (Roger). In the final analysis, "Training Day" is elevated by the performances of it's stars; without them, this one has no legs.
Rating:
Summary: awesome
Review: This was a flawless performance by Denzel and Ethan. This was not a shoot em' up type of flick. It did not have a lot of action but it did have two solid performances by great actors, which made this movie. Denzel definitely deserved respect for this role and this is a definite buy for a real dvd lover.
Rating:
Summary: At their best
Review: At first glance this movie can be cast aside as another decent Washington flick, but if one chooses to take the time to think about this movie, it becomes the best motion picture of the year. This story takes place of the course of one day, and during this day we see the plateaus the police must reach and depths that the police must sink to in order to keep our streets safe. It is a brilliant movie portraying the king of the undercover world falling from his throne. As for the acting, Denzel Washington was very strong. His intensity was believable and he radiated enough for all others to work off of. Eathan Hawke, although not his best performance, still was very strong and was key to the movie. He and Denzel worked well together and no other actors could have performed as well as they have. The reality of the flick is unparalleled. It is filmed on location and the extras are from the areas; one could not ask for more. Overall, this movie was excellent. It shows a fall from grace and the tough decision a rookie must make. No other movie has done it before and it wouold be an unsurmountable challenge to out-do this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Trash Day
Review: I fortunately discipline myself to rent a DVD before purchasing one with few exceptions. This was a waste of money to rent, and I would not recommend purchasing the movie. It was typical trash, and if your'e into glorifying gangsters, drugs, slums, and bad cops, and generally, an "anything for a buck" movie--this may be of interest to you. Insofar as an academy award for best actor--it had to be a political pick as surely quality acting was not criteria for this winner.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up (one from each hand)
Review: Ethan Hawke plays a rookie cop that is trying out for a position on Denzel's elite narcotics team. Denzel is a criminal with the badge that abuses his police power in every possible way. He steals, kills, and lies without flinching. Throughout the day, Denzel keeps getting Ethan to do bad things, a little at a time. Denzel tries to justify what he is preaching with an "ends justify the means" attitude. This is of course a big load of garbage. Denzel is just playing Ethan to take a drug wrap, if he can even survive the day. The movie has complex characters and a good plot. Denzel earned an Oscar for his performance. In my opinion, Ethan deserved the Oscar over Denzel. Ethan had the tougher role. He showed a great deal of depth. Denzel was just a fast talking crooked cop in this movie, but he nailed the part to a tee.
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