DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS MOVIE!

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2003)

Denzel Washington is, in my own opinion, in the role of his life. Noted for the good guy roles, he now has THE chance to shine as the bad guy!
The director's opening of Ethan Hawke in the family setting instills in the viewer that he's a cop who wants to make things right, ultimately, to keep his family safe. It's not a bad premise, really, since we all want that kind of security for our loved ones.
His first day in the "narc" division is, shall we say, an eye opener. Washington's character stays focused throughout the whole film and that's what kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept finding myself hoping that he was a good guy after all. "Say it isn't so, Denzel!"
The raid is where things screwed up. I really can't believe that all of the "bad cops" were willing to let Hawke walk out of there. Washington was the ring leader, but I don't think any man has that kind of control over everyone like that. True, I'm not from the streets, but this ain't the nineties, anymore. You can't control how I feel! Denzel being the boss, or not, if someone with Hawke's character were in the position to put me away for a very long time, I would make very sure that he was on my side. The director lost me, there.
But I do see a lot of realistic values in the film. It was very well shot and I believe Washington finally had the chance to shine in this one! I'm just sad to see it took a role like this to get all the critic's attention. Keep up the good work, Denzel, I'm pullin' for ya'!