Did the writers fall asleep at the end?

Rating: Null/10 (25 March 2002)

***SPOILERS*** Without going into too much plot detail, Training Day was entertaining but certainly not the critical masterpiece I was expecting. A critic below has argued that there are no flaws in this movie... judging by his writing ability, I'm not surprised he didn't notice any.
As a crime-drama, this movie delivers all the violence and fearfully intense scenes that a well made movie of this genre should provide. However the holes in the plot, particularly towards the end, leave the viewer feeling mugged. Why would Ethan Hawke's "rookie" character, who's defining qualities are his innocence and adherence to moral procedure, decide to go on a vigilante rampage in the end? Further, how on earth is obtaining that bag of money going to help him out as evidence? The "3 wise men" and Alonzo's crew of rogue NARCS are all after him, to whom is he going to present the bag in order to set the record straight? And how does he plan on saving his or his family's life for that matter?
It seemed like the writers were tired of spinning the tale and decided to call it a night by wrapping the story up in a blaze of glory that left too many loose ends.
As a side note, doesn't anyone else feel that Denzel Washington would have deserved an Oscar for any number of his other roles (Philadelphia, Hurricane, Malcom X)? This role was different for Denzel's repertoire but certainly not a particularly challenging one.