No popcorn flick, this!

Vivek Fernandes

"To protect the sheep you've go to kill the wolf. And to hunt the wolf you need to be a wolf," says Sergeant Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) to rookie cop Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) on his first day on the job.

That's what this film is about -- the first day on the job of idealist cop Hoyt, who transfers to the Harris-headed Narcotics department of Los Angeles Police Department. Not much of a premise for a nail-biting, edge-of-the-seater, is it?

But thanks to some intense performances by the lead stars and an equally engrossing script, Training Day is one hell of an adrenaline rush. There are car chases, stick-ups, shootouts and fist fights. If that wasn't enough, there is murder, too.

The two blokes encounter so much action in a day, it will make you dizzy. Hoyt is the eager-beaver policeman who wants to please Harris. Hoyt believes the Sergeant is his ticket to becoming a topnotch detective on the force. Under Harris' tutelage, Hoyt learns to walk the lean mean streets in his new role as police investigator.

He will do anything to win Harris' approval. If Harris commands him to smoke pot, he will. If Harris orders him to drink and steal, he will. But when Harris orders him to kill, the game gets dangerous. Then begins a dizzying, nightmarish journey, careening from one menace to another at breakneck speed.

Training Day is a tug-of-war between the forces of good and the lure of evil, cleverly portrayed through shades of grey. You sympathise with Harris despite knowing there could not be worse scum. Here lies scriptwriter David Ayer's victory.

Ethan Hawke as the rookie puts in a commendable performance as the rookie officer. Full marks to Denzel Washington. It takes talent to depict the chameleon-like character he plays. Denzel sheds that virtuous cop image of The Bone Collector but have no fear -- his new avatar will not disappoint.

Rapsters Snoop Doggy Dog and Dr Dre also make brief appearances in the film as does the raspy, hip-hop crooner Macy Gray, who is a treat with her ten-inch pink fingernails.

Training Day is no popcorn flick. It requires a serious watch.

Credits:
Cast: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Tom Berenger, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Produced by: Jeffrey Silver, Bobby Newmyer, Robert Newmyer, Robert F Newmyer
Written by: David Ayer