The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli (2010)
Directed by Albert Hughes & Allen Hughes
Length: 118 minutes
Rated R for some brutal violence and language





Every year it seems Hollywood releases more and more apocalyptic-themed films about dystopian society. In the past few years we have seen the big-screen release of Cormac McCarthy's modern masterpiece The Road, craptastic Legion, the amazing videogame Fallout 3, and many more. While all usually feature a bleak future brought about through some terribly destructive means, each has its own specific theme or concept that makes it unique (no duh, I know). The Book of Eli unfortunately chooses a surprising theme and misses out on a golden opportunity to usher in the future of apocalyptic westerns.

Set some time in a future where the earth has been burned and destroyed, society struggles to survive, fighting over every day blessings like water and music and books. Eli, played by the always reliable and charming Denzel Washington (Unstoppable, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3), wanders westward bearing a mysterious book he believes will save humanity. Armed with his weapons and faith, Eli defends the book against murderous raiders and over zealous tyrants, specifically Carnegie, talented Gary Oldman (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Guns, Girls, and Gambling), who hopes to use the book to control the remaining population.

Many of you can probably figure out what the "mysterious" book is based simply on the title; but without revealing too much, the Hughes Brothers really missed a golden opportunity. Making the focus of the film religion, they have essentially created a film Kirk Cameron wishes he could. I kept thinking the Baptist should be showing this to people when trying to convert the masses. While the apocalyptic western is not a new concept, it is still relatively new. If the film had chosen to mimic the Japanese classic Yojimbo, I feel as if the Hughes Brothers may have had something refreshing and engaging. The idea of a stranger passing through the local saloon, only to then save the town would have been a much more enjoyable film.

Considering the drab backgrounds, it's hard to comment on the aesthetics of the movie, but they certainly succeeded in creating a dreary backdrop for the film. I also enjoyed having a character from the "old times" armed with one-liners about pop culture and an iPod trading barbs with his female "sidekick" Solara, sex appeal booster Mila Kunis (Black Swan, Family Guy). While Kunis does not really add anything to the film beyond looking good, I liked the hapless sidekick concept but wish it had been managed a bit better - perhaps some actual training or knowledge transfer between Denzel and Kunis instead of just going to the next scene where she's automatically a bad ass.

The Book of Eli is not a great movie, nor is it terrible. Featuring an interesting twist, the film is worth a view just for that "Aha!" moment. However, I still argue the Hughes Brothers dropped the ball by making this a religious movie. If your target audience was the extremely conservative, fundamentalist Christian audience, then you nailed it. But considering the last movie these two directed centered on Jack the Ripper, I find that hard to believe. Check it out and see for yourself the power of reading.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Solara: "They're in the middle of a gunfight with Carnegie's men. You know that voice you heard; did it say anything about this?"
Eli: "We'll get out, both of us."
George: "What about us?"
Eli: "Didn't say anything about you."