It started out so well - the idealistic rookie confronted with a morally ambiguous bad-ass cop who pushes the boundaries to breaking point, but is actually the one talking sense - that interplay is compelling - how far will Alonzo push Jake to prove his point? And then it all falls apart... credulity is stretched, the conspiracy kicks in, the ridiculous coincidences and the unrealistic brutal fighting. Ethan Hawke takes so much damage in the last twenty minutes he'd be in a coma. Having said that both Washington and Hawke do a great job (without whom the whole thing would be even less credible), and although I was hoping it would stay grounded in the real world and prove to be a modern classic it just ended up being a fairly exciting and ultimately silly cop thriller. If that's what you want or expect, it'll score highly.
I always liked most of Denzel's movies.... until this. I didn't like it the first time it came out back then and sorting through these old VHS boxes and rewatching them I still don't like it now. Very disappointing. Anytime I see a newer release that references Training Day I usually try and just ignore the movie. If they compare it to this it's generally not worth bothering with if they think this is a good movie to reference that it was directed by the same guy or produced or had the same cast, etc.
I just saw this movie and I also can't belive it is not in a top list. There are many movies in the lists that aren't this good. I don't know if it is one of my favorites yet but it certainly deserves more praise than it has gotten. Seems that after the awards season nobody mentioned it again.
Good performances, especially Washington's powerhouse turn, help to conceal that the script is actually quite bad, with a stream of unlikely plot conveniences showing up in the final act.
Great screenplay by David Ayer.
Denzel Washington is awesome, great actor, Ethan Hawke is so underrated, a great talent with a great performance in this movie.
4.25/5
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Comments 1 - 15 of 19
dombrewer
It started out so well - the idealistic rookie confronted with a morally ambiguous bad-ass cop who pushes the boundaries to breaking point, but is actually the one talking sense - that interplay is compelling - how far will Alonzo push Jake to prove his point? And then it all falls apart... credulity is stretched, the conspiracy kicks in, the ridiculous coincidences and the unrealistic brutal fighting. Ethan Hawke takes so much damage in the last twenty minutes he'd be in a coma. Having said that both Washington and Hawke do a great job (without whom the whole thing would be even less credible), and although I was hoping it would stay grounded in the real world and prove to be a modern classic it just ended up being a fairly exciting and ultimately silly cop thriller. If that's what you want or expect, it'll score highly.shaveen
Wat a movie that was. I liked d movie very much. Hats off to denezel Washington. Marks 9/10grapenomad
Denzel acted like he was possessed by the devil himself. What a great movie.peterskb45
The Shield: The Moviekayjay027
King Kong ain't got shit on me!atryeu
I always liked most of Denzel's movies.... until this. I didn't like it the first time it came out back then and sorting through these old VHS boxes and rewatching them I still don't like it now. Very disappointing. Anytime I see a newer release that references Training Day I usually try and just ignore the movie. If they compare it to this it's generally not worth bothering with if they think this is a good movie to reference that it was directed by the same guy or produced or had the same cast, etc.CorPse
I'll echo an earlier comment... no lists for Training Day?Not even a big thriller list?
Where's the love?
stefenemie
I just saw this movie and I also can't belive it is not in a top list. There are many movies in the lists that aren't this good. I don't know if it is one of my favorites yet but it certainly deserves more praise than it has gotten. Seems that after the awards season nobody mentioned it again.Pxntus
This one never gets old, a heavy piece of movie.ChrisReynolds
Good performances, especially Washington's powerhouse turn, help to conceal that the script is actually quite bad, with a stream of unlikely plot conveniences showing up in the final act.JCS
Great film and won an Oscar but on 0 lists...?ankprasa
Amazing movieJoker of Gotham
Great screenplay by David Ayer.Denzel Washington is awesome, great actor, Ethan Hawke is so underrated, a great talent with a great performance in this movie.
4.25/5
BadFluffy
Boring predictable tough guy junk with over the top performances.makerluisao
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