Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Scott Glenn
‘A Captivating Crime Classic’
Few movie-stars in Hollywood have achieved recognition of Denzel Washington. Following his rise to stardom in the 1980s, Washington has become one of the most beloved actors in the film industry. With his charisma, charming personality and larger-than-life presence, he has become an icon in cinema. Using a style of method acting, Washington has achieved a massive fan following. Despite reaching age of retirement, the legendary movie-star has never lost abilities to make engaging entertainment. As an actor that has created a glorious legacy, Washington has made precious movie which are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Washington and adore all the movies he has made throughout a long-lasting career. However, “Training Day” is certainly my favourite. Released in 2001, Antoine Fuqua’s Oscar-winning movie provided a tense glimpse at cops committing felonies. Boasting strong production-design, engrossing storytelling and extraordinary performances, it’s a captivating crime thriller. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Denzel Washington, capturing the personality of a corrupt cop. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message resonating with everyone enduring crime at an early age. An exhilarating crime thriller, it celebrates an actor whose timeless movies are definitely without any doubt worth watching.
Set over the course of a single day, “Training Day” follows a rookie cop training to be a police officer in L.A. Ethan Hawke embodies Jake Hoyt, an ambitious LAPD officer with huge dreams of success. Jake is excited when he’s given an opportunity to work with decorated detective Alonzo (Denzel Washington) for a dangerous crime assignment. However, Jake’s dreams are destroyed when he discovers the corruption of police officers. Alonso engages in criminal activities which Jake doesn’t always agree with. Finding being a cop comes with a painful price to pay, Jake questions whether he would ever be able to achieve his dream of being a police officer in L.A.
Antoine Fuqua is familiar with the crime genre. Before he made “Training Day”, Fuqua was well-known for action-packed crime movies. His prior movie “The Replacement Killers” offered tense looks at crimes faced by Asian communities in L.A. With “Training Day”, however, Fuqua made his first crime thriller about hardships of African-American police. It was the director’s first attempt capturing hardships faced by African-American police officers, but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, the filmmaker captures cops on a journey to fight a crime-riddled city. Fuqua effectively uses handheld camera to capture cops facing a stressful dilemma. Handheld cinematography elevates the scene where Jake and Alonzo apprehend a couple in a car consuming Marijuana. One acknowledges handheld cinematography capturing the lives of cops committing felonies. Handheld camera is a complicated technique to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through breathtaking visuals, Fuqua captures police committing crimes that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Training Day” worth appreciating is the production. For a film made in the 1990’s, the movie has aged incredibly. Fuqua effectively uses real-life locations across Los Angeles capturing the crime-riddled nature of the city. Whether it’s the seedy underbelly of streets or crime-riddled roads, the location of Los Angeles plays an essential role throughout the movie. For instance, the locations of L.A. elevate the alleyway fight scene. During this intense scene, Jake and Alonzo seek to stop men from abusing an innocent woman. One admires real-life locations which bring to life real crime in the city. Through these intimate locations, Fuqua captures the hardships that cops go through. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Mark Macino’s commemorated music gives the film an intense atmosphere of crimes causing fear. Through breathtaking production-design, Fuqua captures cops facing a mental decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Training Day” is a crime film that’s entertaining. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dialogue to capture strong bonds among cops on a mission. Amidst thrilling action, “Training Day” is one of those rare action movies which finds time for character development. Fuqua’s screenwriting strength is capturing the bonds between police on a mission through witty dialogue. Throughout the movie, Alonzo and Jake engage in witty interactions sitting in a car. Through these meaningful conversations, Fuqua creates a pair of strong cops that audiences can easily relate to. For instance, the dialogue enhances the drug use scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jake in a hallucinatory state of Marijuana engages in a candid discussion with Alonzo in the car. One appreciates sharp dialogue bringing o life characters which are compelling. Through a spectacular screenplay, Fuqua captures hardships faced by cops in L.A. today.
One appreciates amazing performances. The film is a stunning showcase for its two leads, who deliver career-defining performances.
Denzel Washington delivers one of his finest performances as Alonzo. Washington earned appreciation for playing glorious war veterans in the film “Glory”. With “Training Day”, however, the actor took on his first ever crime role. It isn’t simple to portray the personality of a cop committing crime in L.A., but Washington succeeds tremendously. With riveting expressions, he captures the bravery, courage and grief of a larger-than-life African-American cop engaging in criminal activities. It’s a role which allows the actor opportunities to showcase his natural charisma. For his role, Washington won his first ever well deserved Oscar. It’s a superb performance from one of the greatest African-American actors working in Hollywood today.
Ethan Hawke is extraordinary as a rookie cop seeking to clean up crime in a dangerous city. While Washington gets a showier role, Hawke is equally excellent as an undercover cop with a strong goal. As Jake Hoyt, Hawke effectively uses his body language to create a cop that’s compelling. Whether he’s communicating his emotions to Alonzo by gestures or standing up to criminals, Hawke uses his powerful body language to create a cop that’s compelling. It’s an outstanding performance from one of the most underrated actors working today.
Finally, everyone would be blown away by the strong message of “Training Day”. Unlike most crime movies, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful topics such as career, friendship and sacrifice which resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of crime movies to enjoy it. It delivers a universal message which engages everyone affected by crime at an early age. Therefore, “Training Day” is one of those rare crime dramas which will be guaranteed to blow everyone away.
Fans of Denzel Washington will definitely enjoy “Training Day” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating crime drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma that has stood the test of time as an icon of Cinema.
Nearly 25 years following the release of an iconic film about cops engaging in a training day seeking to stop crimes in L.A., it’s a powerful reminder of a legendary movie-star that thrives when given opportunities to portray compelling characters with plenty to say experiencing a painful price to pay whose timeless movies that haven’t lost the abilities to engage audiences definitely without a doubt deserve to be celebrated today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 