Is “Training Day” Worth A Rewatch?

by Anthony & Al | June 12, 2025

Is "Training Day" Worth A Rewatch?

On the 1st episode, Anthony and Al discuss whether the movie "Training Day" from 2001 is worth rewatching or not!

"To protect the sheep you gotta catch the wolf, and it takes a wolf to catch a wolf." ~ Alonzo Harris

What do you remember about "Training Day"? Did you see it in the theaters back then? Believe it or not, this is THE movie where Denzel Washington won his Oscar for Best Actor. Yeah, Ethan Hawke was not too shabby either.

But how does this movie hold up? What did the critics say back then? With all the new movies and TV shows nowadays, should you put all that aside and watch this dramatic cop flick again?

All these questions answered and more on this episode of "Worth A Rewatch?"

Check out the trailer below as the first "rewatch"!

Here are some reviews and ratings:

Anthony's Pick:

"5 Stars out of 5!"

Denzel Washington is magnetic; the way he talks and the way he can switch gears from being menacing and intimidating to charismatic, manipulative, charming and almost like a dad-figure/mentor-type is staggering (all the while putting forward valid arguments behind his f**ked up ways). I love the pace of the film and how the 3rd act switches things up.

Gigsy V

Rotten Tomatoes Reviewer

Al's Pick:

"Over the top, all the way around"

Greetings again from the darkness. Not much to say about this except it is not much fun to watch from any perspective. Everything is over the top ... the acting, the directing, the story, the music. It is nice to see Mr. Prima Donna, Denzel, in a bad guy role, but I would much rather see him play a smart/cool bad guy than this loose cannon who would have been shot much earlier in his police career. Ethan Hawke flops through his role like a fish out of water, and what is the deal with the "3 wise men"? Looked to be some type of X-files rip off. Anyway, just a waste of time.

ferguson-6

IMDB Reviewer

Here's what AI says:

Yes, "Training Day" is generally considered worth a rewatch

particularly for the performances of Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke and the intense, suspenseful atmosphere. While some find its themes of police corruption still relevant, others feel it doesn't make for the easiest rewatch due to its darker elements. However, the film's strong performances, compelling story, and impactful moments continue to resonate with audiences.

Roger Ebert: 3/4