After the filthiest Oscar campaign in history and the furore over Russell Crowe's BAFTA antics, Denzel Washington's gong- grabbing turn in Antoine Fuqua's hardboiled thriller was unjustly devalued. As a morally ambiguous cop who believes "you've got to be a wolf to catch a wolf", Washington is excellent, cleverly playing off his wholesome image and savouring some of the most pithy, profane and memorable dialogue this side of Tarantino. Plus, as his rookie partner, Ethan Hawke is a revelation. Which is something no self-respecting reviewer ever expects to write.
DVD Extras:
Director's commentary, deleted scenes, Making Of featurette, (a really poor) alternative ending, music videos.Fuqua provides a lucid, intelligent commentary, describing the project in Faustian terms and talking up the importance of shooting on the real-life locations in order to show kids positive black role models. The only real disappointment is the absence of a commentary contribution from writer David Ayer.
