an electrifying performance by denzel washington hoists film above its average plot

Rating: 9/10 (28 April 2002)

the last fifteen minutes of Training Day are so average as to almost sink the otherwise fantastic film. this movie went from a 10 to a 9 to an 8 as its closing seconds ticked away. this is not to say you shouldn't watch it but when you get to the part where the ending becomes obvious just rewind it right there so you'll be left with the memory of amazingly realistic dialogue, satisfyingly complex plotting, and some of the best street cop performances ever. no doubt denzel's ferocious alonzo harris clearly thoroughly out-acted russel crowe's jittery timid john nash. the dialogue and plotting are also superior, up to the ending which reeks of the twin taints of outrageous coincidence and typical superhuman heroes and villains in a tired old climatic battle royale. the video offers an alternative ending which doesn't help matters one bit