Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Denzel Washington, a high-caliber actor, has captivated audiences with the diverse characters he brings to life on the big screen.
Throughout his career, he has been renowned for his powerful acting skills, delivering each role with incredible intensity and depth.
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Of his many films, several stand out thanks to high critical reviews and audience ratings.
This article will explore five of Denzel Washington's best films, highlighting iconic roles that not only shaped his cinematic legacy but also earned him prestigious awards, including an Oscar.
Training Day (2001)
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this 2001 film follows the one-day evaluation of new LAPD officer Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), under the guidance of Alonzo, a charismatic but corrupt veteran narcotics detective.
Alonzo forces Jake into morally ambiguous situations, including using marijuana laced with PCP and stealing money, before Jake ultimately uncovers Alonzo's deep corruption.
Denzel Washington's performance as Detective Alonzo Harris was highly acclaimed and earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 74th Academy Awards.
The film has an IMDb score of 7.8 out of 517,774 votes.
Glory (1989)
Denzel Washington also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Trip in the war drama Glory.
This 1989 film, directed by Edward Zwick, tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the first African-American regiments in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Trip, a runaway slave, becomes a key figure, demonstrating courage and leadership amidst intense racism and skepticism about the regiment's fighting ability.
Glory received a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 60 reviews and 7.8 score from IMDb.
American Gangster (2007)
In the biographical crime drama "American Gangster," Denzel Washington plays the real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas.
Directed by Ridley Scott, this 2007 film depicts Lucas taking over the drug trade in Harlem after the death of his mentor, Bumpy Johnson.
Using unique methods, he imported pure heroin directly from Southeast Asia using American military aircraft returning from the Vietnam War, selling it as "Blue Magic" at a lower price.
Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) then investigates this heroin surge, which leads him to Lucas.
The film has an IMDb score of 7.8 from 486,413 votes.
Remember The Titans (2000)
Denzel Washington also appeared in the biographical sports drama Remember the Titans, which was based on the true story of coach Herman Boone.
Directed by Boaz Yakin, the 2000 film is set in 1971 Alexandria, Virginia, where Boone is hired to lead the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School football team.
He replaces white coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) and must navigate racial tensions among players like Gerry Bertier (Ryan Hurst) and Julius Campbell (Wood Harris).
Boone's leadership helps them overcome prejudice and achieve an undefeated season.
Man on Fire (2004)
The action thriller Man on Fire stars Denzel Washington as John Creasy, a burned-out former CIA agent and alcoholic.
Directed by Tony Scott in 2004, the film follows Creasy as he works as a bodyguard for nine-year-old Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City, a city with a high kidnapping rate.
Despite initially maintaining emotional distance, Creasy forms a strong bond with Pita.
When Pita is kidnapped, a mortally wounded Creasy embarks on a relentless revenge against everyone involved.
The film grossed $130.3 million worldwide and get the 7.7 score on IMDb.