Examination of Training Day: The Movie
By: Jason Cunningham
The movie "Training Day" is much deeper than
a story about good cop, bad cop. This article will explore Denzel Washington's
character, Alonzo Harris and Ethan Hawke battle of good over evil. This is the first installment of an
exploration of "Training Day."
Alonzo Harris is a detective who trains Jake
Hoyt played by actor, Ethan Hawke. Harris attempts to control his universe, the
streets of Los Angeles. From the beginning of "Training Day" Denzel's character
is able to exert control over every situation carefully planning it as if the
"architect of the universe."
Harris first real task in the movie is to get
Hoyt to smoke "wet" marijuana. Later in the movie we learn the reason. The logic
he uses always resolves around the streets Alonzo attempts to exert his will .
He tells Hoyt "if I was a drug dealer on the street, you turn down stuff on the
street and the chief brings your wife a crispy folded flag, I don't want you in
my car, go back to the valley, rookie. Hoyt trusts Alonzo because he wants to be
an detective as goes along with the plan.
In "Training Day," Alonzo delivers a faulty
warrant to steal money from Macy Gray's character, mother of the "Sandman"
As he departs with Hoyt there is gunfire in the neighborhood with their car
being hit exactly three times. This symbolizes the "Christ like" figure
among two thieves at Calvary. This is where the religious element begins to
unravel. Yet is when Alonzo takes Hoyt to the neighborhood of his mistress that
your eyes should open wide. As Alonzo enters the hood, "pigeons are released in
the air." Hoyt must be reminded the pigeons let's everyone know Alonzo has
arrived. This is Alonzo's pilgrimage to the "Holy Land" as did Jesus ride on a
donkey into Jerusalem.
Alonzo and Hoyt meeting with his mistress
that you can begin to see Harris' further influence on others. Hoyt is fed by
Alonzo's mistress in "Training Day." However Hoyt does not finish his meal as he
falls asleep and must meet with the "Three Wise Men." "The Three Wise Men" make
sure Alonzo has a warrant that allows him to bust, Roger whom Hoyt believes is
Harris' friend. During Alonzo's meeting with these "wise cops" we find out that
he owes the Russians a million dollars or they will kill him. The plot of
"Training Day" thickens as Alonzo shoots and kills Roger, while they rob him.
Hoyt is named as Roger's shooter as Alonzo explains the "scenario so no one goes
to jail." Hoyt finally begins to think for himself. He turns on Alonzo Harris
and points the gun at him." Yet he does not kill Alonzo because Hoyt represents
good.
Before Hoyt enters Alonzo's car, Harris attempts to
have his Hispanics buddies kill him. Alonzo tells the person on the phone "make
sure the bathroom is clean." Hoyt is angered by Alonzo's murder of Roger.
Denzel's character justifies his actions because "Roger sold dope to kids."
Alonzo is a godlike character in "Training Day," while his actions and
statements are calculated and precise. He made a statement that said it all, "I
walk a higher path son, I have all of the keys of the kingdom." Hoyt looked
confused at Alonzo's statement as to not understand. Since it is obvious Hoyt
has no clue of what Alonzo Harris means, he tells Hoyt , "you want my job...my
guys are clowns...this is the place for you to arrest criminals....but you have
to do it from the inside son." Alonzo begins to speak in parables, he realizes
Hoyt is no longer on his side. Alonzo drives Hoyt to certain death at the
hand of Hispanic friends, and leaves him there unknowing to Hoyt.
The Hispanic associates of Alonzo Harris drag
Hoyt into a bathroom with a picture of Jesus on the curtain. They open up the
curtain and run the bathwater. However Hoyt head is untouched with water. A
baptism without water of sort. Hoyt would have died, but he actually saved one
of the guys cousin from being raped early on in "Training Day." When Hoyt is
vindicated, he is taken out of the tub and a towel is put on his head. Hoyt
experiences a new life and becomes stronger than Alonzo Harris. Hoyt enters
through the same gates of the location where Alonzo has the "golden pass and
pigeons released in the air." They let Hoyt in because they recognize his
goodness. Anyway, he is let into Alonzo's mistress' place by Harris' son. Hoyt
dashes into the bedroom to find Alonzo and his mistress. Hoyt ends up scuffling
with Alonzo and fires at hits the picture of Jesus. This is probably a symbol of
death of the "old Hoyt" and the start of his resurrection.
Hoyt finally destroys the evil of Alonzo in
"Training Day" as he beats him down in front of his mistress's hood. He shoots
Alonzo in the behind, takes his badge, and his money to pay the Russians. Alonzo
attempts to regain control by threatening the people as some people hold him at
gunpoint, while Jake leaves. It is the famous speech of "Training Day, " Alonzo
Harris says, "King Kong ain't got ... on me...shoe program...24 hour
lockdown....I'm the police...I run ... in here, you just live here..."
Harris realizes he has been defeated and is shot down like a common criminal by
the Russians. Hoyt books the money into evidence that was stolen from
Roger, and tells "The Three Wise Men" to buzz off as "Training Day" ends.
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