Reel Critics

Vince Novack

As “Training Day” opens, we are introduced to Jake Hoyt (EthanHawke).

Having been a cop for only 19 months, he is nervously anticipating his

first day in an elite narcotics unit. The head of the unit is decorated

veteran detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Summoned to a coffee

shop for their initial meeting, Alonzo immediately attempts to pierce

Jake’s bubble of naivete. As Alonzo sees it, the streets are a jungle

where only the strong and ruthless survive.

The main focus of the plot is just how far will Alonzo go to

accomplish his ends, and Jake’s willingness to compromise his principles

to remain in the unit. Is Alonzo a good cop that must, as he asserts,

become “a wolf to catch a wolf,” or is he simply corrupt?

The screenplay by David Ayer (The Fast and the Furious, U-571), while

somewhat implausible at times, manages to keep the audience guessing.

Director Antoine Fuqua (The Replacement Killers), mostly known for his

music videos, creates a good flow of action. The streets of Los Angeles

have never looked more frightening and dangerous than they appear in this

film. The numerous minor supporting cast members, most portraying gang

members and drug dealers, look to be right off the evening news. Scott

Glenn’s pivotal role as a mysterious retired cop is worth special

mention.

Denzel Washington definitely plays against type here. Washington,

usually a subtle performer in sympathetic roles, gets an opportunity to

go completely over the top as Alonzo. His profane, smirking, egotistical

and his violent portrayal of Harris is electrifying. Hawke does well to

portray his character’s forced maturation process without being

completely swallowed by Washington’s dynamic performance.

Due to its violent content, “Training Day’s” release was delayed a

couple of weeks after the terrorist attacks in September. This

inadvertent publicity may well boost the film’s box office receipts. Be

forewarned, the film is rated “R” due to brutal violence and nearly

constant strong language. The very tone of “Training Day” is disturbing

and there is a sense something horrific will happen at any moment.

“Training Day” is definitely a cut above most action films and police

dramas.

* VINCENT A. (VAN) NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional

research at Cal State Long Beach.