Training Day

The only other Movie that interests me this fall, "Training Day" (After delays due to the events on the 11th) finally is released to the masses. Does it continue the trend of hits that the fall has made for me? Oh hell yeah!

Every day, there is a war being waged on America's inner city streets - a war between residents, drug dealers and the people sworn to protect one from the other. This war has its casualties, none greater than L.A.P.D. Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a 13-year veteran narcotics officer whose questionable methodology blurs the line between legality and corruption. Training Day shadows Alonzo as he tests the resolve of idealistic rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), who has one day and one day only to prove himself to his fiercely charismatic superior. Over the next 24 hours, Jake will be pulled deeper and deeper into the ethical mire of Alonzo's logic as both men put their lives and career on the line to serve their conflicting notions of justice.

"Training Day" is a very gritty drama that succeeds well at blurring the lines between what is necessary in the line of duty, and what is just being "heroic". Denzel Washington absolutely SHINES as Alonzo Harris....I mean every aspect of Denzel is on point. When he's being a tough ass cop..you feel it. When he's being a funny man...you feel it. When he becomes this evil villian..you feel it. Through emotion, facial expressions, and just his overall charisma on screen. You know he's the antagonist, but he delivers his character with so much fire...you sometimes question yourself as to rather what he's doing is really all that bad at all.

Ethan Hawke does very good as the by the books police cop that appears to be in way over his head. He is the perfect contrast to Washington's Alonzo. I only wish that as the movie went a long, there was a larger contrast between his character at the start of the film..and towards the end. I mean Jake goes through a lot of shit, and I just don't see him being the EXACT same iin demeanor all the way through the film.

Supporting characters were very key to this film..and surprisingly Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre, and Tom Berrenger all turn in excellent performances that do very well at depicting the dark world that New York has become. As much as I hate to say it...Macy Gray's character was hot ish.

Unfortunately, everything about "Training Day" isn't peaches and cream. The fact that all the events in this film take place on one day make exposition of charaters damn near impossible. You are always given hints as to how Alonzo became the way he did, and all the others in his group of cops. But it appears that everything that is given to the audience during this film is on a need to know basis. I just felt I needed to know a little bit more.

"Training Day" is a great drama film that succeeds well in getting one point across...the line between justice and law is thin. Though a tad cliche ridden, and full of underdeveloped characters...the chemistry between Washington and Hawke is far to captivating to even think about all that.

Rating: 1/2 out of four.

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