BLU-RAY REVIEW

Training Day 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 266, March/April 2023

Picture4.5
Sound5
Immersive5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
3000093260
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
For strong brutal violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity
(Retail Price):
$33.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
122
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
2001
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
2/28/2023
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Antoine Fuqua
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt, a motivated rookie cop who faces the next 24 hours of his "Training Day" under the watchful eye of veteran undercover narcotics officer Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Before the day turns to night, Hoyt discovers that Harris has managed to blur the line between cop and criminal. And trying to do the right thing on his first day on the job is more challenging and life-threatening than Hoyt would have ever dreamed. In his own words: "I should have been a fireman." This is a very well-scripted psychological thriller, with superb Oscar®-nominated performances by Hawke and Washington (Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor, respectively). (Suzanne Hodges)

Special features include commentary by Director Antoine Fuqua, the featurette "Training Day: Crossing The Line" (HD 15:03), six deleted scenes (HD 12;34), alternate ending (HD 04:48), Nelly's "#1" music video, Pharoahe Monch's "Got You" music video, theatrical trailer and a digital copy.

The 2.35:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on Fuji film stock in anamorphic Hawk Scope using the Arriflex 435 camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Film grain is very fine.Color fidelity is excellent with naturally saturated hues exhibited throughout. The imagery delivers a gritty realism of the street mostly from the views out of a black Monte Carlo. Detail is superb, especially during closeups of the two officers' faces and for example rain drops on windows. Fine features such as skin pores, beard stubble and hair are finely resolved. Flesh tones are natural. HDR contrast is excellent with deep blacks, revealing shadows and natural white levels. This is an excellent filmic experience. Included is a remastered Blu-ray. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is effectively dynamic with realistic road noise and engine roars from the black Monte Carlo, powerful gun shots and street traffic. Atmospherics are prominent and characteristic of the urban street scene. Sound effects are realistic throughout. Foley sound effects are perfectly in sync with the imagery. The music score is pervasive with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the four surround. Surround activity is aggressive and at times directional. Dialogue is intense and impressively integrated spatially.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the orchestral score and aggressive ambiance and sound effects for a very exciting height layer experience.

This is a holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is energetic and exciting, with very good recording quality. (Gary Reber)