Training Day

Rating:
Summary: Great acting, bad movie
Review: I found the movie itself to be horrible - no plot, no closure, no anything.

Rating:
Summary: Congrats Denzel!!!
Review: Congratulations to Denzel for his Academy Award! If there was a role that ever deserved it, this was it! While not a perfect movie, it was most certainly a TREMENDOUS movie. A labrynthine plot, which at times strays from the realms of believablity, but still keeps the viewer glued to the screen. Denzel's character was so powerful and so vicious, and the tension and suspense in the storyline was so palpable, when I walked out of the theatre I was literally shaking. I had to go home immediately and just lie down for a few minutes. This movie is must-see viewing for anyone who loves a good story and great acting, but if you have heart problems, be forewarned- it is intense.

Rating:
Summary: I luv me some him
Review: This movie is one of his best. Just as he had me believing that he was Malcolm X, I believed this great actor was a crooked cop, so much so that I came home upset.
Denzel is a beautiful man who played this role to the "T". Who hasn't heard of corrupt cops? Ethan was pretty good too. Dr. Dre's role in this movie was better to me than his role in "The Wash" If you buy this, you should go see "John Q".

Rating:
Summary: IT WAS G_R_E_A_T !!!
Review: I was just on cloud ten when I watched this movie it took me right there with them.Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke was just amazingly pwoerful on the real,this move was so overwhelmingly extreme in greatness I mean large it was G_R_E_A_T.I really recommend it totally,the desired effect was right on the mark.They really crosssed the mark with this one.This movie is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: NOT A POSITIVE MOVIE
Review: This was not a movie that makes a person feel good after watching it. It was about a bunch of Police officers who are criminals and killers and think this is the right way to be. I think the acting was good, all the actors did a fine job & the ending was just. I would not recommend this movie since this movie did not make me want to watch it to the end or have a positive message.

Rating:
Summary: A great movie, with plenty of plot twists...
Review: I was disappointed at some of the material I saw that hinted that Denzel Washington didn't deserve a Best Actor Oscar for this movie. Some subtle racism seems to be floating around, due to the fact that he and Halle Berry both won Best Actor/Actress awards. Well, I'd seen this movie long before the Academy Awards and I believed Denzel deserved the Best Actor award. For once, he's playing against type, taking on a role which isn't very likeable. His character is a real jerk, a corrupt cop, manipulative and greedy. Ethan Hawke was a good balance as the rookie narc being screened to see if he's up to the low standards required to be a narcotics officer under Washington's supervision. Washington brings power and ego to a role that could easily have been a cliche, and the movie's plot twists and turns are fun and kept my attention. I've seen this movie three times now and liked it so much I bought the DVD. It's a great movie, if you aren't offended by rough language, images of poverty, corruption, violence and drug use. The cinematography is great and captures the grittiness of the L.A. I left years ago, but to which I return as often as possible. Washington's black car serves as a motif for darkness and evil and is an integral part of the movie, and it's funny to watch Washington and Hawke cruise L.A. with three bullet holes in the back window! Ah, Ramparts all over again. A great movie and a great performance! Black patronage or not, Denzel Washington deserved the Best Actor Oscar for this powerful performance!

Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST WORK EVER
Review: I think Mr. Washington with his smooth fine chocolate self does any movie a great justice. He is such a good actor. I liked the way he had poor ethan hawk running around doing things he wouldn't do only a great mind could get someone do something that they normal don't do. I like the way Denzel goes and find out what his charater is all about and takes some training to do his job well. I would like everyone to know that I am a very very very big fan of Denzel's and I have every movie he has made so far including St. Elsewhere. so just about anything he does is fine with me, but training day will certainly take you out of your comfort zone because we are use to seeming him in films that he is the "good guy". I think who ever watches this film will still love it.

Rating:
Summary: Thrill ride with breakaway performance
Review: All right...let it be said first off...Denzel got the Oscar, and no one deserved it more. In this film, Denzel proves that he can play characters who are FAR from being nice guys. Generally, he plays wholesome (or at least semi-wholesome) characters in his films and has been regarded by many as a great actor who, unfortunately, takes "safe" roles. Well, my God...if this film didn't shatter that mold, nothing ever will. Denzel's Alonzo is a foul-mouthed, fast-talking, street-wise demon who runs wild with a gun and badge, abiding only the rules of the street. As for the rest of the film, I loved it. Not a bad performance in it, though Dr. Dre could have done better. Powerful direction, strong cinematography, great script. Yes, I know...there are always detractors out there. Like the guy who says "How do we know Denzel's a cop? No uniform, never goes to the police station...how do we KNOW?" Well...how 'bout that badge, smart guy? He's a NARC, man! Narcs don't wear uniforms...it would kind of defeat the purpose of undercover work, wouldn't it? And as we know from the phone call he makes to Jake (Ethan Hawke) in the opening scene, Alonzo doesn't do roll call. And then there are those who say "He doesn't have to answer to anyone, man...who's gonna believe cops act like that?" Well...me, for one. This is the LAPD we're talking about...probably THE most corrupt police department in the country. And he's a ranking detective with his own division...he can pretty much write his own ticket most of the time...cuz like he says, "It's not what you know. It's what you can prove." And I believe it was the same reviewer who said that Scott Glenn's character, Roger, was Alonzo's "Mystery Friend," and we had no idea who he was until later in the film. I think it's pretty easy to discern from his first scene with Alonzo and Jake that Roger's a retired (or at least NEARLY retired) Narc. We know that from the introduction of his character, as long as we pay attention. And although it all hits you really fast and seems fairly incomprehensible upon first viewing, the subplot with his character is astonishingly easy to follow when you give the film another look. That's the thing. This film moves so fast, it takes a couple of viewings for everything to sink in...after a second viewing, everything is much clearer. Well, no matter what, have a go at "Training Day." My advice is to watch it at least twice. Denzel's performance is so mesmerizing that it can distract you the first time you watch it...and, as I said, it moves pretty fast. My analysis: Five Stars. Best film of its kind to come out of Hollywood in the past five years. Do yourself a favor and see it...twice. Your senses will thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Acting
Review: I was so pleased by this movie. I got the opportunity to see Denzel Washington at what I will call truly his best. To see his performance in this movie shows that he is truly a versatile actor. Ethan Hawk also help to make this movie excellent as well. A must see for anyone that enjoys action.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: I was very disappointed by this movie. I was expecting big things out of it but I just couldn't see Denzel in the "Bad guy" role. I actually found myself laughing at times when it was supposed to be serious because it was so funny too see him acting like that. Also I thought that Ethan Hawke was horrible and it is a joke that he was even nominated for best supporting actor. If you want to see a performance where Denzel really shines then buy the Hurricaine or Malcom X