Training Day | Why Alonzo Harris Is a Great Villain - Character Analysis 

Man he really did. I never doubted him, but he took this to a different level.

I agree his actions are understandable. Are they right or moral? Absolutely not. Also, to play devils advocate, I don't think he keeps his composure well at all. He is pretty reckless and questionable throughout the entire film. But to your point, he does have a reason to be. He's lucky Jake was extraordinarily naïve. Alonzo would've been turned in by me 15 minutes into the film lol.

@@itakeonmovies I meant that he kept his composure well given the knowledge of what might happen to him at midnight. It's very difficult to keep your composure knowing you might not survive to see the next morning.

I see what you mean and you're right. Most people would've just went into hiding or tried to escape town or something.

I still don't see what he did that was so wrong. He took dope money and was gonna use it to stay alive. The mob dudes are the real villains. They're a fuckin mob and killed a cop over a fist fight.

Never mess with a man with nothing to lose.

He sure did. And definitely a top 5 villain. Truly an otherworldly performance! 🙏🏾

Yeah I think the fact he was dropping Gems made him that much more compelling of a villain. He was right a lot of the time. Such a good movie. And thank you bro I appreciate ya! 🙏🏾

Lol Alonzo was full of it. He only talked like that because he had a price on his head. That’s it. That’s manipulation at its finest. There was no deeper meaning, he did all that just to escape getting killed by the Russians

You know the point of the character is that he doesn't actually believe that right? Like he'll contradict himself to keep Jake cool with him. He is just a gangster with a badge. He knows it and everyone around him knows it.

@@gh0rochi363 Watch the deleted scenes, there's some genuineness within Alonzo. Just not as much as he leads on.

I couldn't agree more he was obviously a force in the film and car was like it's own character lol. ✊🏾

Chilling is exactly the word I'd use too and you're correct. A man whose best qualities are also what got him killed. 🙏🏾

Interesting take. I wouldn't have minded that, but he also started getting on my nerves towards the end. I was ready for somebody to take his ass out Lol. But that just shows how good the character was.

I had just watched it recently and thought to myself, this is someone and a movie I need to talk about. Thank you so much for the support! 🙏🏾

I agree 100%. What makes Alonzo so great is his ability to not only sound rational to Ethan Hawke, but also to us. I remember the first time watching this I was conflicted about his actions, but still hesitant to call Alonzo a bad guy. That's a testament to how good of an actor Denzel is. He transforms in almost every movie he's in and Glory and American Gangster are two of his best! ✊🏾

You got it all the way right my friend. I think that's not just a testament to how good the movie is, but how great and believable Denzel was. Had us all saying, "wait, he does have a point" 'Wait..." "oh.." lol

@@itakeonmovies Absolutely. He keeps you guessing about him until the very end. Another movie that sort of does something similar, though not as well IMO is 10 Cloverfield Lane with John Goodman. I know people hated the ending but I loved it.

@@EM-ve9bh That's the danger of falling in love with a villain in real life.

Lol sucks he was like Alonzo, but glad he didn't try to kill you. Had to be quite the experience though. 😬

He really is. Crazy to wonder where he may have gotten the inspirstion for this role.

@@itakeonmovies apparently from Rafael Perez who is a dirty cop from LA.

@@jordancorley828 I just read about that, you're absolutely right. Those connected with the Rampart Scandal. Makes total sense. Thank you ✊🏾

@@itakeonmovies crazy how life can be stranger than fiction. ✊🏾

@@jordancorley828 No doubt! ✊🏾

Definitely agree. The story works, but largely in part to the character of Alonzo! Thank you! 🙏🏾

💯. One of the best.

I really appreciate you! Got more content coming soon. 🙏🏾

Thank you! I really appreciate it and more on the way! 🙏🏾

These are all great villains! And I would love to write something about them soon! It's funny you mentioned Cam'rons character Rico, because the next video I'm going to release is actually on Paid in Full the movie. So be on the look put for that!! And thank you for the support! ✊🏾

Definitely two of the best performances of all time forsure.! ✊🏾

I had to do it bro! 🙏🏾

I agree! I definitely think he became jaded, but I also think he probably had some narcissistic and selfish tendencies naturally causing him to become corrupt fairly easily.

I really appreciate you family!

I could agree with this. They were definitely victims of a corrupt environment and situation. Instead of attempting to stop it, they became a part of the problem. As for Alonzos policing tactics, I'd say you're exactly right. Seems like someone who's seen it all and is just tired of the bs. But I think if you're in a field and you get to that point, it might be time to quite lol.

Jake seems to know where to draw the line.

Thank you! Really appreciate you checking it out. Plenty more now, and more on the way! ✊🏾

I like this perspective. I think if you're looking at it purely from Alonzo's point of view, sure there is meaning behind his actions. He's not just doing this for fun, like you said the minutes to his life count. With that being said I disagree with the idea that he's not evil and certainly the idea that he's a hero. Alonzo is a man who exploited neighborhoods, even before his debts I'm sure, as you can see by the disdain people had towards him. He's an officer of the law and was in business with the Russian mob, I'm pretty sure that alone breaks multiple code of conduct policies within the LAPD. And because of this, he dug himself into debt with these shady characters and is now taking it out on otherwise innocent people, especially Jake. He was literally ready to kill another officer for his own selfish reasons and ultimately didn't care who got caught in the crossfire, including his own son. With that being said I understand why he was doing this. That's what makes him a great villain, he actually had motivations. This doesn't mean his motivations and plans aren't evil though. The only thing closely resembling a hero in this movie is Jake, for trying to get evil off the street, without breaking 1000 other laws in the process lol. Love the rebuttal though! Let me know what you think. ✊🏾

BRILLIANT ANALYSIS!!!!!!!!!! Alonzo was literally living with a gun to his own head (hence he acts out and puts a gun on Hoyt's head)

@@itakeonmovies The people who disdain Alonzo are all crooks themselves, so Alonzo feels perfectly justified exploiting other sharks. He wasn't in business with the Russian mob, he killed a Russian mobster (probably playing Blackjack, since it was in Las Vegas, and was probably insulted by the mobster) so the mob came after him. He dug himself into debt because the Mob put a tax on him for killing one of their members. The only reason he decided to have Hoyt killed was because Hoyt didn't take the money and would have potentially snitched on him, destroying his long illustrious career. So it wasn't as much evil as brutal self-preservation.

I really appreciate that! Thank you. More to come! 🙏🏾

I like your perspective. I think part of the reason why Alonzo is so effective as a villain is because he makes some great points throughout the film. He's great with words. I think he's undeniably a villain though. He murdered and put many innocent peoples live in danger, one of which being his own son, for selfish and irresponsible reasons. But like they say, some of the best villains are those that make compelling arguments and he definitely does that.

Hey! I have a couple lists I beleive Denzel will be on including 7 Best black actors of all time. Personalizing it to performances is a great idea too and I'd love to do that. Think it'll be fun. Be on the lookout for those hopefully soon. I've been a little slow with content, just due to finals and the holidays, but getting ready to ramp it back up. ✊🏾

🤣🤣🤣 more than likely

A movie in which Jake died and somehow Alonzo survived and continued his reign of evil would have been a crazy story, or sequel. I'm hearing they're making a prequel. So Mayne that could explore Alonzo more. 👀

Completely disagree, the ending was perfect, and there was no other possible outcome based on the story line.

@@dwl3006 The movie was perfect until he got out the bath tub. Then Jake is superman. Jumping off the roof. Before that it was a tight well made thriller. It was close to a film noir.

@@cel6682 Yea but even so, Alonzo still should have died. But also, Alonzo putting a gun to Jake's head in the very beginning of the movie wasn't particularly realistic either.... so........

@@dwl3006 More realistic than Jake falling off the roof.

Great character no doubt. I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment!! ✊🏾

Lol classic line. And you know ima keep it going. Yall love Man on Fire 😂. But it is a good movie and I'll definitely do that one at some point. Appreciate you bro! 🙏🏾

@@itakeonmovies

Lol I would love to argue, but these are all questions I've had to. The way I see it is, I think Jake asked to shadow Alonzo as he was "top dog" in that division. So I don't think Alonzo had much of a choice. So if anything Jake was a minor conveniences to him and like you said he let his hubris get the best of him by thinking he could just get rid of him.

@@itakeonmovies Actually, Alonzo knew Jake's bio was flawless in the police department and wanted Jake in on the Sandman's robbery/murder because it would look more on the up and up. Remember, Alonzo wanted Jake to fire the shot. Alonzo and his regular goons probably have been accused of misconduct in the past which I'm sure they beat but 1 of them firing the shot may have looked suspicious due to past accusations. It was all a calculated sinister plan by Alonzo.

@@itakeonmovies The smart thing for Alonzo to do would have been to make Jake wait outside and secure a perimeter, Jake would have been none the wiser that they were actually committing a crime. The only problem with that solution was that he would have heard shots fired and might have called for backup too soon and ruined Alonzo's plan, but Alonzo could have simply told him not to call for backup if he heard gunshots, but that would be a very suspicious request for which Alonzo could get in trouble for.

@@antoineguerrier5514 brilliant analysis, love your comment. Do you study film or screenwriting by any chance? A mind like yours is a gem.

@@dwl3006 thank you very much for the compliment and no I don't study movies or screenwritings at least not in the educational sense .

I appreciate you! 🙏🏾 And I'm familiar with the film, but don't think I've actually seen it. I would definitely take a look though, I'm interested in all suggestions.

I was actually a year younger than you the first time I saw it, in theaters actually. I remember thinking I was ready for it, but soon realized I really wasnt..lol

@@itakeonmovies American Pie was another one. The weird part was that I watched it with my family. Mom, dad and younger brothers. Jesus.

@@Kinsey6King 🤣🤣 yeah that would be awkward as a kid not gonna lie.

@@itakeonmovies I remember in Billy Madison - they laughed at the phrase “turn to page 69” and I was confused - as a kid should be. I questioned it and my dad said - ask your math teacher.

Lol I love it. 69 was taboo. Still til this day I know grown adults that giggle when that number pops up. 🤣

I'm not even mad at you, it is a dope car!

How embarrassing

@@lennarthagen3638 Well it was my money that paid for it not yours. I will feel more embarrassed when my 64 impala arrives next week 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

A drug

A pretty addictive drug, that acts as a potent stimulant and can also cause hallucinations.

I think the reason one might mention he's black kind of leads me to answer your first question. Black guys should definitely be able to play villains. The issue is we rarely see it in this fashion. It's hard to name a black villain that essentially leads a film like Denzels Alonzo. While you're right, his blackness had nothing to do with the character, I think it has everything to do with movies and Hollywood in general.

Lol yeah I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but I think the point is, he's supposed to be despicable and the fact you felt the way you did about it speaks to Denzels performance don't you think?

@@itakeonmovies honestly I like Denzel and I'm just sad that his character is evil in the movie.

@Ash-wx2ix I understand that. It was definitely a change seeing him go this evil! But he did a great job doing it lol. Just like Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs. Hate that I liked the character lol.

​@Ash-wx2ix I know i was late for this reply. I like denzel too I was annoyed when he became a villain as well I thought he was going to be cool and Motive just like Tom Cruise in Collateral.

He doesn't have 4 kids with a wife he has 4 kids.