Training Day Series Review

Editor’s Note: 

The below review by our contributing reviewer, Chad Spar came across my desk a few days prior to the untimely death of actor, Bill Paxton. Clearly, in the series Training Day, Paxton gave audiences the same level of excellence that he had exhibited in his performances throughout his outstanding career. Since the 1980s, Paxton has made us laugh and cry. He scared and thrilled us. He was a master at bringing a relatability to a myriad of roles including cowboys, soldiers, explorers, astronauts and “Average Joes.” And, he had the dubious honor of having been the only actor killed by an Alien, a Predator and a Terminator. His turn as a director was much too brief, but memorable. His roles as an actor span a lifetime for many of us. We grew up with Bill Paxton. But, it still feels like it wasn’t enough and that he had so many more stories to tell. Unfortunately, Training Day and the soon-to-be released film, The Circle will be his last. Fortunately, though, Paxton left us with a wealth of iconic characters. He was one of the best.

Here’s Chad’s original review of Training Day –   

I just started watching the new CBS series, Training Day; I’ve viewed the first 3 episodes or so. Of course, the series is based on the 2001 film of the same name by Antoine Fuqua, who, I had read on Wikipedia, would be directing the pilot. For some reason, they brought in Brit director, Danny Cannon (Judge Dredd [1995], TV’s Gotham, etc..) to direct instead. This show is set in the same universe as the movie, fifteen years later in the aftermath of the city being left in shambles after most of Alonzo Harris’ (Denzel Washington’s character in the film) cases have been over-turned, and the city is over-ridden with crime. When attempting a TV series with the same dynamic as the movie in a case like this, it’s nearly impossible, and they have indeed changed things up. The main similarity is that rookie young cop is brought in — instead of Ethan Hawke from the film, it is up-and-coming actor Justin Cornwell,  (TV’s Empire). Cornwell’s character is brought in to observe a veteran cop (played by veteran actor, Bill Paxton) who is suspected of doing some off-the-radar things on the job. Paxton is really good in this role; one of the best I’ve seen him in, but again, he’s no Alonzo; it would be very difficult to do what they’re trying to do with this show, and have the same setup as the movie. In the movie, Alonzo was a completely all-around irredeemable, despicable character. Here, he is not only redeemable, but he’s likable, and to an extent, trustworthy! Well, putting the ’01 film aside — I am a fan of that movie; I give this show a thumbs-up so far. I like the chemistry between the two leads, and Paxton is especially good.