The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli (2010)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed by The Hughes Brothers
Starring Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman

The apocalypse film wheel is rolling again in Hollywood; this time because of the 2012 prophecy. Over the last year, there have been three apocalypse films, and plenty more to come. Within the past few months, The Road, 2012, and now The Book of Eli have been released, all connected by a disaster that destroys most of the world. While the superior of the three is The Road, The Book of Eli is an entertaining action film that puts a religious twist on the post apocalypse genre. The film stars Denzel Washington as Eli who is wandering around the country looking for the “right place.” With him is the last remaining copy of the Bible that was not burned in the thirty years since the apocalypse. He stumbles into a local town and meets Carnegie (Oldman), a book obsessed dictator who wants the Bible in order to control his people, and everyone in the surrounding areas. His thugs attack Eli, who manages to escape with a slave girl, Solara (Kunis), and head towards the coast.

The Book of Eli has the same post apocalypse feel of other classics films such as The Road Warrior, but adds a refreshing religious spin on the genre. In the film, every Bible was burned due to its involvement in the war that started the apocalypse. Eli was told by the voice of God where to find the last one. His mission from God is to carry the Bible to someplace where it is needed. The message of The Book of Eli is that no matter what happens, religion will always be around, and that some people will use it for evil intentions. The war was caused by religion and Carnegie wants the Bible to basically control the world.

Denzel Washington gives the role of Eli his best effort, but his acting is not the problem with this film. Some of the acting is horrible, including Mila Kunis, who keeps getting action roles when she cannot act. Look at her role in Max Payne. Ray Stevenson plays Carnegie’s henchman with ease. He is a fine actor, but he is wasted here. His scenes are fine, but very limited. The biggest problem with the film is the script. It is very bland and unoriginal. Everything seen here, besides the religious context, has been in other films such as Mad Max, Doomsday, or The Omega Man. One positive aspect of the script is the completely unseen twist at the end where it is revealed that Eli is blind and the Bible is in Brail. After rewatching the film, it is hard to believe that Eli is completely blind. The action scenes could not be done by a blind man. It would be more believable if he was legally blind. I know that the directors were going for a “blind in the light of God” approach but it is very unrealistic for this type of film.

The action in The Book of Eli is very stylish. The first time Eli is attacked is shown completely in silhouette which is very effective. He is a man of mystery and shadows. He comes and goes. The other action scenes are shown in full lighting. The action is fast and strong. It is similar to The Matrix with the pace, but not with slow motion. It is usually one man versus fifteen or so thugs. The action sequences are not spectacular but work. The first fight is very good, but the rest are mediocre.

The Book of Eli is nothing special, nor will it be a genre classic as will The Road. The film is very reminiscent of the Mad Max trilogy, minus the stellar car chases. Eli is a strong character that could also be in I am Legend. The first half of The Book of Eli is strong when the story focuses on Eli being a wanderer, but it fails once he comes into the town. This post apocalyptic future is not as gloomy as The Road, but is cheesier with a sense of civilization still alive. Think of Max Max: Beyond Thunderdome. This is not an untamed world, but instead a less civilized Wild West without cowboys. The script is limited and not very inventive, but with a religious subplot and a strong twist at the end, The Book of Eli is worth a watch.

Rating: C+


June 24, 2010