Premise - Wet behind the ears LAPD cop Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) spends his first day as a 'Narc' with grizzled veteran Alonzo (Denzel Washington). What he doesn't realise is that his first day will be as eventful as most cops careers. Training Day was something of a pleasant surprise for me. Sure, I knew that Washington and Hawke were both nominated for Oscars (which Washington won, more on that later), but I really thought that it was just going to be another buddy cop movie. Albeit, a buddy cop movie with superior acting. I couldn't have been more wrong. Training Day is a taught, tension filled thriller, with superior acting. Director Antoine Fuqua (previously responsible for the decidely average, John-Woo-lite 'The Replacement Killers') has crafted a wonderfully gritty look at cops at their most corrupt. Outside of Hoyt, all the cops in the film are corrupt at some level. In-fact apart from Hoyt, it's the lowly street hoods that hold up the moral side of the movie. Their strict street code makes them out to be saints compared to Alonzo's Narc crew. Not a true reflection of real life to be sure, but it made for a refreshing change. As I said the acting in Training Day is of the highest standard. For some reason I have not seen much of Ethan Hawke, but he does enough here to make me seek out some of his other work. The turmoil is visible all over Hawke's face as Alonzo dangles various carrots in front of him. Does he accept the perks and damn his conscience, or does he go and work behind a desk? His performance is all the more impressive when you take into account the fact that he is not overshadowed by Denzel at any point. For make no mistake, this is Denzels movie, it's a powerhouse performance from the Oscar winner. Is it better than Will Smith in Ali? I would have to say no, Smith just shades it. Not to take away from Denzel here though, for he is outstanding. He goes from someone you would trust without question to a cold, ruthless SOB in the blink of an eye. There is a fair amount of familiar faces in the supporting cast. Scott Glenn and Tom Berenger are here, but both have little screen time. The rest of the support is like a game of spot the rap star. Both Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have parts and despite my dislike of rap stars in movies (Busta Rhymes in Shaft springs to mind) they both acquit themselves well. On the other hand Macy Gray also has a small part and is easily as annoying as she is every time I see her on TV. The pace moves along quick enough for the viewer to keep interested in proceedings. This is helped somewhat by the entire events of the film taking place in one day (the Training Day of the title). Since it all takes place in one day there is no lag time, no point in the film where you hum and haw, maybe have a look at your watch. It's a quick two hours. A pleasant surprise to be sure. A first rate cop thriller that holds the viewers attention with excellent performances and an intriguing plot. Overly moralistic finale apart I highly recommend Training Day, definitely worth the effort.

7/10 for Training Day. Poster Quote - The first day's always a bitch.