Very Good -- In Spite of Antoine Fuqua

Rating: 8/10 (13 October 2001)

Don't believe the rumors; Denzel Washington was not "over the top". He was to quote Roger Ebert "over the top and down the other side". His performance was wild and out of control--and he seemed to be enjoying it! There is a line that separates a tour de force performance from buffoonery, Mr. Washington skidded all the way to the edge, wobbled violently, but managed to keep from falling over that line. Viewers will love being along for the ride.
I have never before seen a Denzel Washington performance worth seeing, let alone mentioning until now. Sure he's a wonderful actor, yada, yada, yada, but he has always been too bland and vanilla for this reviewers taste. But now Denzel has acquired some long needed "flava"
Ethan Hawke was good too.
Antoine Fuqua on the other hand was not good. He should return to directing music videos at once. Will someone tell him there are more camera angles besides extreme-up-the-nostrils-close-ups. The direction was deplorable. A first year film student could have done better. I kept thinking to myself "when did I direct a movie?" that was the only possible explanation for it being so poorly directed. This film was saved from it's simple script and horrendous direction only by exceptional acting (Washington and Hawke) and an editor who must also be a magician.
The acting and editing not only saved this film from it's unskilled director but from the additions of Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre to the cast. I imagine there must not be very many skilled actors in Hollywood since they found it necessary to scavage among rappers to play minor roles.