Training Day

MPAA Rating: R

Entertainment: +2

Content: -4

Jake (Ethan Hawke), a young father and rookie cop is excited to be assigned to an LAPD narcotics unit. Alonso (Denzel Washington), the veteran head of the unit, takes Jake through an unforgettable first day of ‘training.’ But as Alonso introduces him to the ugly and dangerous world of drugs, Jake questions which side of the line Alonso is on. Washington delivers a fascinating performance that’s part saint with large doses of sinner, in contrast to Hawke’s naivet.

Despite the strong acting of the leads, TRAINING DAY loses to a stereotypical tale featuring Hispanic and Black characters as isolationists and drug dealers. Familiar central themes of power corrupts and ‘what goes around’ flow through the story as Alonso wields his authority as a narcotics cop both on the streets and in his neighborhood. Jake heroically prevents a young girl’s rape, which later saves his life. Brutal and graphic beatings, shootings and gun threats occur throughout the film. One scene features unneeded nudity, although sex is only implied. Along with sometimes extremely graphic violence, vulgarities and obscenities dominate the dialogue and rap soundtrack. This TRAINING DAY is one to miss.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Many (66) times - Mild 13, moderate 53

Obscene Language: Many (225+) times - F-word 111, s-word 86, other 18, finger gesture 1, words in music soundtrack

Profanity: Many (10) times - Regular (GD 3, J 4, G 2, Swear to G)

Violence: Many times - Moderate and severe (several gun threats, graphic shootings, brutal hits/ kicks/ punches, car wreck)

Sex: Implied few times (woman goes to bedroom, nude woman on bed)

Nudity: Once (breast and female rear, brief obscured female frontal); Near Nudity - several times (breast obscured by feeding infant, low-cut dress, girl’s blouse open after near rape)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Several times (man asked if had sex w/female trainer, sexual comments, man kisses woman/ pats rear)

Drugs: Many times (discussions about drugs/selling drugs, marijuana smoked, cigarettes smoked, alcohol drinking)

Other: Ethnic slurs used many times, woman breast feeds, good deed saves man, theme of corrupt narcotics cops, man asked if ‘Jesus freak’ when drugs refused, man wears large cross as jewelry, crude act discussed, vomiting, man upholds ethics/ questions acts of other

Running Time: 124 minutes
Intended Audience: Adults

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