Training Day: Critic Reviews

99%

MovieWeb: 8 reviews

72%

RottenTomatoes: 50 reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian [UK] (Top Critic)

Good to see Denzel Washington get the meaty villainous role he deserves.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Peter Rainer New York Magazine (Top Critic)

On a purely visceral level, Training Day is easily the most exciting movie out there right now, but as a morality tale with anything large on its mind, it's a cop-out.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader (Top Critic)

If he makes it through the trial by fire -- and a blandly twisting plot with no meaningful revelations or substantial themes -- Hawke will get a promotion, but there's nothing in it for us.
Full Review » 4 years ago
Nell Minow Common Sense Media

60

Great performances, but for adults only.
Full Review » 1 year ago
Philip French Observer [UK]

The movie moves rapidly, is extremely violent and not entirely plausible.
Full Review » 4 years ago
Rob Gonsalves eFilmCritic.com

60

This isn't a serious movie, despite Denzel Washington in full eruption and giving his calloused lines more weight and authority than they deserve.
Full Review » 5 years ago
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com

84

Cast against type as a corrupt cop, Denzel Washington, usually seen in noble and heroic roles, is nothing short of brilliant; with some luck, he should earn an Oscar nomination.
Full Review » 5 years ago
Chris Hewitt (UK) Empire Magazine

80

Marred slightly by an unsatisfactory climax, this is a cracking cop drama anchored by great performances and intelligent direction from Fuqua.
Full Review » 5 years ago
Time Out

Director Fuqua keeps it slick and sleazy and stokes up the race some, but this only accelerates the movie's deafening rush toward the top and ever over.
Full Review » 6 years ago
Steven Snyder Zertinet Movies

88

Thumbs up, without question. Unfortunately, Training Day could have been so much more than it is.
Full Review » 7 years ago
Andrew Manning Radio Free Entertainment

85

Denzel Washington delivers a remarkable performance in this enthralling and unique tale of a corrupt cop, completely transforming himself into an unexpectedly imposing threat.
Full Review » 8 years ago
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews

88

...an intelligent and riveting action movie that doesn't rely on a lot of special effects to tell a genuinely interesting story.
Full Review » 9 years ago
Tom Grealis RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

80

While most critics have chosen to highlight Washington's performance as the standout, it would be unfair not to mention Ethan Hawke, who plays the rookie Hoyt with a perfect patina of guileless enthusiasm.
Full Review » 9 years ago
John R. McEwen Film Quips Online

70

It is unfortunate that the script by David Ayer is so riddled with pretense, but Washington, Hawke, and their supporting cast do all they can to play through.
Full Review » 9 years ago
David Poland Hot Button

Denzel Washington's performance is tremendous... really up there amongst the best of his career.
Full Review » 9 years ago
James Rocchi Netflix

80

Gritty good-cop/bad-cop drama is elevated to greatness by Denzel Washington.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Matthew Turner ViewLondon

80

Trashy cop-thriller entertainment of the highest quality: well-made and superbly acted, with Washington in line for a possible Oscar nomination.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Jean Lowerison San Diego Metropolitan

Washington's swaggering, larger-than-life portrayal dominates the film in a towering performance that may well win him another Oscar nomination.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer

88

For those of us who rank Denzel Washington among the best actors America has ever produced, it is more a thrill than a shock to see him take on the showy, villainous role he plays in Training Day.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Brent Simon Entertainment Today

75

A bristling, cocksure... exploration of vigilantiasm and the morally dubious world we plunge our officers of law into.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Kevin N. Laforest Montreal Film Journal

63

I can't quite recommend the film.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Jeffrey Westhoff Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

50

It aims to be a contemporary L.A. Confidential but crumples with a simplistic, unbelievable climax.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Jeffrey Chen Window to the Movies

90

Larger than life ... a classic tale of good vs. evil.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Paul Salfen Supercala.com

All of the buzz is true! Denzel Washington's performance in this movie is amazing.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall

60

There's an edgy, authentic rhythm to this gritty undercover cop drama that's boosted by strong performances ... and then undermined by an appalling ending.
Full Review » 10 years ago