Spring Cleaning -- Training Day

Is Training Day a classic? Upon first viewing I would have said yes. That's probably why it's wise to watch a film a few times before making that kind of judgement (and even then one has no idea how well any particular film will age). Now, I'm not sure. If we're talking about Denzel Washington's performance, which ranks among the greatest portrayals of a homicidal sociopath (right up there with Jack Nicholson in The Shining), then yes, it's a classic. But overall I feel the film contains too many flaws to make it a true classic. Still, chances are I'll watch it again more than a few times, because despite its flaws the film has a special kind of appeal. Rounders and The Warriors are two similar films in that regard, and both are considered by many as classics (often preceded by the modifying adjective "cult," which, due to their flaws, is fair), so maybe Training Day is a classic afterall, not of the bonifide sort, but rather of the cult variety. So be it.

It's a fun film. That may sound odd given the subject matter, but it's true. Maybe that's because the film is so over-the-top, so farfetched. In that regard, it shares another similarity with The Warriors, namely that the plot of both films are so implausible that they veer into the realm of comic book fantasy. Again, that's fine by me. Above all forms of media entertainment, rivaled perhaps only by professional wrestling, comic books best represent the battle of clear-cut good guys against clear-cut bad guys; and what better a representation of this theme of good versus evil than rookie narcotics officer Jake and grizzled street veteran Alonzo?

Sure, early on some possible doubt exists as to whether or not Alonzo is a true villain, rather than, say, a street vigilante not unlike Charles Bronson in Death Wish; someone who follows their own moral code of justice because that's the only way true justice can be achieved; but by the end of the film it is clear that Alonzo is pure evil, and that his every action is done for the benefit of only himself.

Again, Washington steals the show here. Not to take any credit away from Ethan Hawk, who turns in an incredible performance of his own (as does the always criminally underappreciated Scott Glenn), but Denzel makes this film. King Kong ain't got shit on him. This is his best screen performance, and one which acting students should pay close attention to. He's never hammy, and that's quite a feat given the dialogue and actions of his character. Instead, he makes Alonzo a menacing figure of misused authority and frightful persuasion; a man whom I'm positive anyone watching could liken to at least one bastard they know. With Alonzo, Washington creates all of the movie's tension -- something I don't think any actor but himself could do, and for that he deserves all accolades previously given and then some.

So the performances are tight, save maybe for Snoop Dogg's and Dr. Dre's (the former's acting skills, while meagre, far outweighing the latter's); and the plot starts off strong and continues steady for the first hour. If the quality of that first hour were mantained throughout the rest of the picture, this would no doubt be a classic, however the wheels begin to fall off as soon as the wise men are introduced and the motivation behind Alonzo's corruption is revealed. Seriously, the Russian mob is after him? They want him to pay 1 million dollars to them because he killed one of their men while in Las Vegas? Does this make any sense whatsoever? The Russian maffia plot point is lame and serves only to frustrate any viewer with half a brain. As Don Corleone said, that I cannot forgive. Not only is the Russian maffia the raison d'etre for Alonzo's actions, they also serve as a deus ex machina, taking care of Alonzo at the end of the film because apparently neither Jake nor the gangbangers who secretly resent him can do so, for whatever reason. How convenient.

Watching Training Day for the second time, I was reminded of Michael Mann's terrific 2004 film, Collateral. Both are similar in plot and theme, with Collateral getting the edge as the better film (despite its final act also being criticized by many -- not me, though; I loved it -- as a letdown) due to its considerably stronger direction and writing. At least that film gave us some sort of glimpse at the people controlling the man (Cruise) around whom the plot revolved.

Taking it back to the grill again, is Training Day a classic? Just shy of one, in my opinion, despite Washington's virtuoso performance (and the unforgettably hilarious "smiles and cries" bit).

As far as anti-buddy movies go, though, it stands second to none.

Audio Two:

Seven Samurai
Scarface