Training Day is a compelling character study with powerhouse performances. There are themes of moral ambiguity, corruption, god complexes, manipulation, idealism, control, integrity, and brutality. It has thoroughly developed characters, meaningful dialogue, setup/payoff, motifs, surprises, earned arcs, and quotability. Each scene evolves the central relationship and reveals more layers. The iconic acting shows fierce motivation, range, chemistry, charisma, confidence, menace, physicality, conflict, outbursts, and spontaneity. Its ending is contrived but this rollercoaster story more than makes up for its flaws. Overall, Training Day is highly entertaining and thought-provoking.
Technically, Training Day is grounded yet intense. The cast is star-driven, against type, career-defining, and deep. Its production design adds strong location, classism, and character. The imagery heightens perspective through framing, lighting, depth, motion, composition, angles, and filters. Its efficient editing offers frame rates, dissolves, inserts, and pace shifts. The immersive sound uses cityscapes, surreal echoes, action, stings, diegetics, and layers. Its music is pensive, fitting, and restrained. The effects have stunts, significant gunshots, blood, and injury makeup. Ultimately, Training Day cohesively blends skilled craft, challenging commentary, and electric drama.
Writing: 9/10
Direction: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 10/10
Editing: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 9/10
Casting: 10/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 9.0/10
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