Review of Training Day

Introduction

It takes a wolf to catch a wolf.

When Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke, who was nominated for an Oscar for this role) becomes a narcotics officer on the streets of LA, he expects a tough day`s work, but not as tough as it turns out to be. For 24 hours, you will see Hoyt being tricked into taking drugs, beaten up, intimidated…and this is before he tackles the criminal underworld. His `mentor` is Alonzo Harris (Oscar-winner Denzel Washington) - a cop who seems to be living on a fine knife-edge: is he a good cop or a rogue cop?

Hoyt is a family man - an ex-traffic cop whose not used to the big time, the gritty side of LA. He`s not used to seeing people of every age and race throwing away their lives by using drugs, and the calmness of Harris perturbs him. Whose side is he on? Harris uses violence in what could be described as a gratuitous manner, and even use narcotics himself.

Training Day is not your typical Hollywood thriller - it does not contain big budget action sequences or twist after twist. Instead, this is more sublime: it paints a strong message beneath strong performances and an authentic script. David Ayer actually experienced some of the things that found themselves in the script, so you do get the feeling this is real, and not just some implausible Hollywood actioner.

Video

It is presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, and the print is constantly crisp and clear. There are no compression signs, and the palette is used well, with the visuals constantly deep and the colours well defined.

Training Day does have the odd action scene which fits the pace well, and the crispness of the print reproduces it excellently. There are also some tense moments in the movie, and due to Antoine Fuqua`s subtle approach of focusing the camera just where it`s needed, you do get a real sense of urgency and spontaneity.

Audio

A DD 5.1 track is on offer, which, just like the transfer, is crisp and clear throughout. The surrounds are given a good workout during the action scenes (when the bullets start flying, it will seem as if you`re right in the middle of the vicious gun battle) and when various music is played to set the scene - and it is set well. The main audio stream is always just right, and so is the ambience level.

Ayer`s script is good, if a little bland, but the other elements of the movie make up for it. On the subject of audio, and in particular music, artists such as Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray (Fuqua describes her as `ghettorific`) all have parts in the movie, and surprisingly they pull them off with real conviction.

Features

The following extras are on offer:

Commentary by Antoine Fuqua - this guy grew up against the backdrop of street life in Pittsburgh, so his experiences add to the movie, so it`s interesting listening to his (slightly stop-and-start) commentary, mixing all sorts of insight into the production process.

Behind the Scenes Documentary - this clocks in at just under 15 minutes, and mixes soundbites of the cast and crew with some good material about how they filmed various sequences and what attracted them to the movie, and so on. It may be on the verge of PR fluff, but it is still worth watching.

Additional Scenes - these are some deleted sequences that didn`t make the final cut, probably due to time restraints. They do little but build on the characters, and there are no breathtaking moments.

Alternate Ending - another way to close proceedings basically…the ending that made the final cut is better.

2 Music Videos - "#1" by Nelly and "Got You" by Pharoahe Monch are available, and are here just to flesh out the extras a bit.

Trailer & Filmographies - the standard affair.

The menus are static, with some music playing in the background, and they offer the usual chapter listings and disc options. The DVD comes in a trademark Warner Bros. snapper case, with the chapter listings printed inside.

Conclusion

The movie won`t appeal to everyone, but it is a breath of fresh air from recent Hollywood outings. A mediocre script is elevated due to powerhouse performances from Washington and Hawke. On the subject of acting, both leads were nominated for Oscars - and Washington won his category (Best Actor), although in my opinion Hawke`s performance was better, as you witnessed the moral situations he was forced into, and how a vulnerable person can fight back against oppression. Granted, Washington delivers another good performance, but in my opinion Russell Crowe`s performance in A Beautiful Mind was more deserving, and it seems the Academy were being politically correct, not just, in their decision.

Disc wise, everything is solid, but for a movie that won kudos not only from critics but the Academy should at least get some more in-depth extras. Perhaps more insightful interviews and some more featurettes would do the trick.

Overall, this is a piece of recent Hollywood pie that is definitely worth tasting, and in my opinion, eating it all up. Recommended.