Brutal violence isn't easy to stomach any more.

Rating: 5/10 (22 October 2001)

Perhaps the timing just wasn't right. Somehow, watching Training Day two days after the horrors of September 11th made my heart and stomach that much more sensitive to violence. But Denzel Washington IS as good as ever. Ethan Hawke is strong in the boy-scout role. The script is cleverly manipulative and the direction is great. I even thought Macy Gray and Snoop Dogg hit the right note. It just felt like a finely executed streak of violence. Accurate? Maybe. But not exactly the kind of film I was in the mood for. Too many bullets in the chest, not enough redemption. I'm not always a softy, but after September 11th I'm looking for more.