Barnes & Noble

Denzel Washington (John Q) scores his second Oscar nomination for his arresting portrayal of a corrupt narcotics officer in this electrifying urban thriller. He plays one of L.A.’s most flamboyant detectives, a departmental legend with whom young rookie Ethan Hawke is delighted to be teamed. Their first day together starts off with a major drug bust, and in the hours that follow, the rookie learns a lot more from, and about, his new partner. Washington's Alonzo Harris is soon revealed as a thoroughly corrupt cop who delights in preying on street thugs and competing drug dealers. In keeping with his character’s naïveté and reticence, Hawke’s performance is appropriately subdued, and it earned him an Academy Award nomination of his own (for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). Cast members Scott Glenn (especially fine as a retired cop caught up in Washington’s schemes), Tom Berenger, and Harris Yulin are equally well calibrated, and rappers Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg also contribute effective turns. But Training Day belongs lock, stock, and barrel to Washington, and director Antoine Fuqua grants the star ample leeway to dominate every scene with his trademark intensity. Clearly relishing the opportunity to draw upon his dark side, Washington makes this rogue cop one of the most memorable characters he’s played over the course of a distinguished career. Fuqua supplies a feature-length commentary for the DVD, which also includes deleted scenes, an alternate ending, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and two music videos. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

The Fast and the Furious (2001) screenwriter David Ayer follows up that fast-paced action hit with this gritty cop drama from director Antoine Fuqua. Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt, a fresh-faced Los Angeles Police Department rookie anxious to join the elite narcotics squad headed up by 13-year veteran Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Harris has agreed to give Hoyt a shot at joining his team with a one-day ride-along during which Hoyt must prove his mettle. As the day wears on, however, it becomes increasingly clear to the greenhorn that his experienced mentor has blurred the line between right and wrong to an alarming degree, enforcing his own morally compromised code of ethics and street justice. As he struggles with his conscience, an increasingly alarmed Hoyt begins to suspect that he's not really being given an audition at all; he's being set up as the fall guy in an elaborate scheme. Training Day co-stars Tom Berenger, Scott Glenn, and recording artists Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Macy Gray. Karl Williams

Village Voice

Propulsive, elegantly written police thriller. Amy Taubin

Los Angeles Times

Even though Training Day doesn't resolve itself as well as it deserves and ends strictly cops-and-robbers style, it's given us some great acting and something to ponder. Kenneth Turan

Product Details

• UPC: 012569828513
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Region Code: A
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français, Español
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 2:02:00
• Sales Rank: 30,803

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Training Day / Fallen
• Best of Blu-Ray, Vol. 1
• Best of Hd Dvd, Vol. 1

Features: