Right actor, wrong film

Rating: 8/10 (1 April 2002)

There's no doubt that Denzel Washington deserves AT LEAST one Oscar for Best Actor. I've watched him turn in so many Oscar-caliber performances, then go unrewarded.
So, now that the Academy finally decides to recognize his acting prowess they pick the wrong film. Don't get me wrong ... Denzel is great in 'Training Day' ... but he has been better in at least a dozen of his earlier films where he played more complex, meaningful characters.
'Training Day' is a routine good cop, bad cop street epic. Exciting? Sure. Packed with action? Indeed. But it didn't deserve mention at the Oscars, let alone any awards. Movies and TV series like this are a dime a dozen.
My guess: the Academy finally realized they should have recognized Denzel's work years ago and chose this film simply because it was current and eligible.