Absolutely cracking!!!

Rating: Null/10 (8 March 2003)

The plot has already been discussed a thousand times on here, so I will not waste time describing it, but for a in a brief way: Denzel Washington (The Hurricane,The Bone Collector, Courage Under Fire) plays thirteen year LAPD veteran Alonzo Harris. The film follows a turbulent day as rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) is taken under Harris's wing in a "Training Day". Pass the tough test he is presented with, and he becomes a narcotics officer, fail, and he goes back to the Valley. What unfolds is a carefully thought out and even more impressively executed plot, that has many turns along the way, and many underlying themes that can be appreciated more on repeated viewings. David Ayers' screenplay beats the hell out of his other two famous ones - The Fast and the Furious and U-571, and Antoine Fuqua's direction is some of the best work I have ever seen. Every scene has it's own significance, even if you only realise it later, and they are cut perfectly to display this.
I have heard accusations on here of Denzel being "bad in some scenes", and the supporting cast "having nothing to do". Let me clear that up with one word: Rubbish. Washington is on form for every second of screen time, showing us more and more of who he really is as the film goes along, but letting us judge for ourselves whether we like Harris or not, whether we agree with his principles or not. And as for the supporting roles, I would welcome anybody who can point out a scene in which actors are completely wasted. Scott Glenn (who also worked with Washington on Courage Under Fire) is solid as Harris's "boy" Roger, and Cliff Curtis of Three Kings fame is a joy to watch as a Mexican nicknamed "Smiley", even more so considering that he is a New Zealander and does his assigned accent perfectly. This film is brimming with talent, including the supporting cast. Although it recieved an Oscar for Washington's lead role, the whole film is virtually flawless. Hawke is fantastic as Jake Hoyt, and it's always good to see Tom Berenger pop up, even if its only for a few minutes. This film is well written, sharply directed, performed with distinction. The musical score from Mark Mancina deserves a mention too. And as for the so called "disappointing" ending, it really isn't. It caps off the whole feel of the film: Firstly, because it has ((Slight Spoiler)) Harris showing his true colours that have been coming out bit by bit all the way through. Secondly, because after the great (((((Spoiler)))) "King Kong" speech, the film is finished off in the same vein as the rest of it, with subtlety. It leaves room for interpretation, and, like throughout, it doesn't over do on emotion. An original, gritty, and refreshing look at a side of street life you don't often see portrayed so well.
A well deserved 10/10