Street Justice

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2004)

Jake Hoyt wants desperately to become a narcotics agent to
clean up the streets of Los Angeles. He will have to siphon out the
good from the bad as he embarks on his training day. He literally
has twenty four hours to prove to Alonzo, a veteran narcotics agent,
that he is worthy. As the day proceeds, he is faced with ethical
dilemmas on whether or not the methods of Alonzo's law enforcement
are legitimate. Through all this madness and corruption, the very
green and naïve Jake must decide for himself who the real bad guys
are.
The manner in which the tension elevates through-out the
movie is remarkable. Alonzo builds this tension with his crooked
ways. He is definitely not what he appears to be. Deceit is a powerful
concept for some to grasp. Jake's willingness to do anything for the
opportunity to make detective, leaves him in a very vulnerable
position. He is the unfortunate, in the midst of all Alonzo's street
justice. Street justice used as an attempt to save his own hide.
Long time good guy portrays the one minute brutal and the next
charming role beautifully. Along with Denzel's acting ability, the
director, Antoine Fuqua, does a terrific job in most aspects of the
movie. For example, the way the story unfolds. T times the action
stops and the sun quickly moves through the sky. A subtle but unique
way of showing the time frame in relation to the title. Also, Alonzo's
crew meets with him on top of a building to plot out a shake down.
Could it symbolize that they(the agents) think of themselves as a
higher power or untouchable?