Training Day

Rating:
Summary: A quality film, if disturbing
Review: I am not one to pay for cop movies and I am not one who enjoys gratuitous violence, but I found Training Day to be an excellent film, even if it left my brain with a not-so-fresh feeling. Training day is about Jake Hoyt's (Ethan Hawke) first day on the job in the elite narcotics division, a tough assignment. He is partnered with Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a street-smart veteran narc who does not play by the rules. Hoyt is on this job on something of a trial basis, so he knows he had better play his cards right.

He soon finds himself on the streets, undercover, trying hard to discriminate between where he should rely on his training and where he must use street smarts in spite of his training. This makes for many amusing moments, along with some very tense and dangerous moments, where Hoyt must learn to balance his ethics with the rules of the street.

Overall, the plot to this movie is very good, though I won't give away how it twists and turns. I'll just say that it is intelligent and worth checking out. The feel of the movie reminds me something of Boyz in the Hood. I say this because both movies have an intense and disturbing feel, grounded in something like reality. Training Day is a very violent movie, so I would not recommend it unless you have the stomach for it. I often have trouble with violent movies, but there was enough substance to this one that I could tolerate it. The only exception I would say would be the final fight scene, which was a little drawn-out and hollywoody, meaning that the participants pound each other to an impossible extent and continue to come back for more. That somehow cheapened the experience for me.

I might add that I have never been particularly fond of Denzel Washington' s acting, especially after sitting through ... The Bone Collector. I was very impressed with his performance in Training Day. Overall, Training Day is a very good film and worth the bloated price of theater admission.

Rating:
Summary: Well Worth the Price of Admission
Review: If this film excites on no other level, then at least it does by the amazing performances from its star performers, Hawke and Washington. Washington is cool, cocky, and loud, and from the beginning you can't help but like him and it's a continuning struggle to find the inner truth of his character. His character is brilliantly scripted and performed, to say the least. Hawke is more down to earth, but doesn't fail to to deliver a stellar performance.

The film has a lot of twists, though it basically exemplifies the good cop/bad cop buddy picture, but not without taking some really big steps and making some truly entertaining statements. The main conflict in this film is between the viewers interpretation of Washington's character, deciding for one's self just how bad he is, whether or not he has crossed the line in each person's own book.

All in all, this film delivers an interesting take on police work by two fine actors who really seem to enjoy their roles. The film raises a lot of questions, but the answers can only be discovered in the hearts of the viewers. Meanwhile, it puts on an entertaining show.

Rating:
Summary: Good acting, bad story
Review: This movie was entertaining to watch in spite of how unrealistic it was. It paints a bad and extremely unrealistic portrait of narcotics enforcement in specific and law enforcement in general. It is set mainly in the Rampart division of LAPD, where you can't even blow your nose without supervisorial approval right now. However, Denzel Washington put on a colorful and entertaining performance as a crooked cop. He is a criminal thug hiding behind a badge, but he plays the part with style. Go see it if you just want entertainment and not realism.

Rating:
Summary: Training Day
Review: It was a good movie, but seemed to drag a little. For such a long movie, I thought there would be more action to keep us on the edge. There was a good story line, but the ending wasn't really put together well enough to end a long movie. Nonetheless, it was good, but not something I would see again.

Rating:
Summary: Training Day
Review: A little confusing but very entertaining and powerful. This movie was good to see once, but is to disturbing to see a second time. It Stars Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Snoop Dog.

Rating:
Summary: A Wasted afternoon!
Review: Don't need 1000 words! It was awful and a serious waste of my time. I am surprised to see Denzel taking such a part!

Rating:
Summary: Denzel Delivers in one of the year's best films.
Review: Training Day is an excellent film with an amazing performance by Denzel Washinghton. While he has had some amazing performances before(Glory, Malcolm X, and The Hurricane), this might be his best because his character is extremely complex and we don't know where he stands for most of the film. The most amazing thing about the performance is that no matter what awful action his corrupt detective character takes, you still like his character. That is the same dillemma that Ethan Hawke's character faces, as a new officer who wants so bad to be apart of Denzel's elite narcotics unite that he will do anything to please his training officer. This film takes place in LA, and everything happens in one day, one shift. The director does a wonderful job of setting the pace, letting Denzel carry the picture, with a few other notable talents popping up in small but crucial roles that no one elese could have played. This film is scary, because it shows the power an officer can have, especially in narcotics units, where cops burn out faster than in any other unit. This film is a must see for all Denzel fans and for all people who enjoy well written stories revolving around the criminal justice system.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of talent
Review: As many reviewers have pointed out, the performances in this film, particularly that of the immensely talented Washington, are strong, and its first two-thirds are engaging. Unfortunately, "Training Day" then descends, beginning with an insultingly silly plot twist, into gratutitous cartoon violence and a nonsensical storyline that left me wishing I'd walked out, or better yet not wasted my time in the first place. Early in the picture the director and screenwriter seem to have something to say, but apparently lack the ability to hold the thought long enough to avoid getting caught up in the sort of sadistic fantasies that surely could be enjoyed only adolescent pro wrestling fans.

One of the most disconcerting things about this film is the presence of Denzel Washington, whose intense performance is sadly undeserved. Nevertheless, even a stellar performance cannot salvage the egregious cinematic hate crime that is "Training Day".

Rating:
Summary: AVOID THIS ONE!
Review: I would have given this movie -5 stars if I could. What a load of junk. How could Denzel Washington do such a bad movie.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie All Around. Some People Are Missing...
Review: the message. Let me preface by saying that I am not an avid movie goer, nor am I in the habit of writing reviews but I couldn't help but address some issues/feelings in prior reviews that I feel were misplaced. First of all, I don't know how anyone can say that the character Denzel Washington played seemingly endorsed violence or glamorized a gangster lifestyle when he was OBVIOUSLY portrayed in a negative light. Furthermore, his contradictions in philosophy and style are blatant if one examines the movie in an objective fashion. Ethan Hawke was excellent in proving this. It was an excellent movie (best acting I have seen in a long time) and those of you who think this was a testament to a gangster's lifestyle, well I don't know what movie you were watching. GO SEE IT AND FORM YOUR OWN OPINION!