Training Day

I just finished watching it, and honestly, I’m pleasantly surprised. Look, I’m no film critic, but the plot actually felt fresh to me—and let’s be real, you don't even need to say a word about Denzel Washington's acting.

My only gripe is that they cast that poor kid to play the rookie instead of picking someone who actually looks the part. He just didn't have the presence.

It feels like everyone has been talking about this movie for ages, though I somehow missed it on all the recommendation lists until now.

Honestly, the movie was pretty solid for me...
It loses a bit of steam toward the end, I guess, but all things considered, it’s a really good watch.
👍

Denzel Washington absolutely crushed his role here....

The movie is perfect. It’s not just Denzel Washington, though he crushed his role... if nothing else, go watch it again and pay closer attention to that rookie.

This was easily one of the best films I caught last year. I loved how every single detail felt purposeful within the narrative—plus, the visuals were just stunning. It has this raw, brutal realism to it that I really appreciated.

Is it actually worth watching?

Denzel Washington was incredible in this, and I have to admit the movie felt pretty grounded and realistic. But honestly? It just didn't hit me the way it did you guys. I don't know what it is, but I don't think I could sit through it a second time—which is funny because I usually end up rewatching much worse movies than this one.

It feels like I'm the only one who wasn't a fan, probably because that ending was just plain stupid. That said, Denzel Washington was incredible, and I absolutely loved those three Mexican actors they had in the mix.

It’s honestly just stupid—you gotta take the money and run... otherwise everything else is just dddoooooobbbrrooooo👍

silentpuma9 said:Maybe it’s just me, but that ending was pretty weak. Still, Denzel Washington killed it, and those three guys from the cartel? Totally nailed it.

....you can actually find an alternate ending on the DVD....

When you consider all the absolute garbage out there lately (I’m looking at you, Minority Report), this movie is
actually a total masterpiece.
Director Fuqua gets a perfect 10 from me.
👋

fadedsailor932 said:....you've got an alternate ending on the DVD....

So, what's this "alternate" version actually look like?

silentpuma9 said:so what’s the vibe like in the alternative scene?

Honestly, I just picture Denzel letting go of that whole sex symbol persona, then this newcomer just forgives him for trying to play him, and then they both end up starting this beautiful gay family together, eventually getting married in a Catholic church after a few months and adopting two kids.

silentpuma9 said:So what’s the vibe like in the alt universe?

...Denzel gets shot, obviously (just like in the movie), then Hawke heads home only to find the rest of them—you know, those cops involved in the money scheme—waiting there to shake him down. He tells them the cash is sitting right in the evidence room at the precinct...

dada said:Just watched it and I was actually pleasantly surprised. I'm no cinephile, but the plot feels pretty fresh, and honestly, you don't need to say much about Denzel Washington's acting.

My only gripe is they cast that poor guy to play the rookie instead of someone a bit more convincing.

I feel like there’s been talk about this movie before, but it wasn't on my radar until now.

Hmm, I see things a bit differently. Washington gets on my nerves here, and the kid—I think it was Ethan Hawke, it's been a while since I watched him😕—is better. Look, Denzel is a great actor, very distinctive, but he feels overacted and forced here. It's unnatural. Hawke is way more believable.

Anyway, the movie isn't anything special... I agree with the previous guy though—the ending is killer...

The Law of Cinema

I finally sat down to watch it last night, and honestly? After everything I’ve read on here, I was expecting way more. Maybe it would’ve been better if I hadn't spent all this time reading theories first; now I’m just left feeling a bit let down.
It wasn't a disaster, per se. It’s okay. But calling it "good"? Not quite. It’s just... middle of the road.

The movie hits you with this eerie sense of realism when it comes to those street gangs; they actually filmed it on location in some of the most notorious, high-crime neighborhoods in the States...
While the ending felt a bit cliché, it’s an excellent film overall, anchored by a masterclass performance from Denzel Washington.

Honestly, the absolute highlight of the whole movie for me was that scene where Denzel tells that story about the guy who managed to dodge jail time just by stuffing peanut butter up his ass and then eating it right there in court...

The funniest part of the film, hands down...

Also, man, watching how Denzel just relentlessly messes with that kid at the beginning... he’s got such a way with words...

👍

This movie is so incredibly gripping and moving that even two months after watching it, I found myself pulling up AllMovie just to refresh my memory on what actually happened—and honestly, I’m still struggling to wrap my head around it. It’s such a heavy, significant piece of cinema that every single letter I type in this post feels like it's carrying ten times the weight of the film itself.

I really hope some Hollywood producers take notice of my talent here and compensate me at least as much as I paid them to watch the flick ($0.80) plus a little something extra for the time I spent on it ($80). After that, maybe we can all just move on and forget the whole thing, which is something I've been doing pretty successfully lately.