The 80’s and 90’s saw a seemingly endless release of buddy cop films. The approach was almost always formulaic. One officer is by the books and straight laced, and the other one is a renegade with more property damage than arrests. However, despite their differences, both officers wind up overcoming whatever problem that was thrown their way, and learning the importance of utilizing teamwork rather than working alone. In 2001, Antoine Fuqua directed a film written by David Ayer that would take that formula, turn it inside out, and gut it in a title called Training Day. Continue reading →