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Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis star in this sci-fi action thriller. 30 years after an unspecified environmental disaster, a lone man, Eli (Washington), fights his way across the desolate wasteland of a post-apocalyptic America guarding a sacred book called the Book of Eli, which holds the secrets that can bring civilisation back from the brink of destruction and save humankind. His principal threat is despotic town leader Carnegie (Oldman), who will stop at nothing to get hold of the book and use its secrets to take control of society.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
189 of 207 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'The Book of Eli' is a post-apocalyptic action film that released in 2010 to mixed reveiws and deserved box-office success.
The movie is set thirty years after an apocalyptic event and shows the mysterious Eli (Denzel Washington) travelling on foot towards the west coast of the United States to deliver an important book to a place of safety. During the travelling Eli attempts to overcome many dangerous obstacles.
The movie starts with a visually stunning scene, which sets the mood for a thrilling experience, progresses with a good build-up of tension and excitement and finally climaxes with a couple of cracking twists. The final twist is something you can't predict.
The story may seem straight forward but what makes it something special is the combination of the mystery surrounding Eli's character and the book, engrossing performances, emotional/dramatic scenes and an addition of well placed exciting action. It's a simple story told in an authentic manner making the full movie interesting and entertaining from beginning to end.
Denzel Washington who is also one of the producers of the movie puts in a restrained but a really likeable and moving performance. He's appealing as an action hero due to looking trimmed and at the same time is cool with the shades. Washington also impresses with his smooth and convincing dialogue delivery. Gary Oldman is ideal and effective as the main villain. The verbal exchanges between Washington and Oldman pack a punch. The surprise package in the movie is Mila Kunis who enacts the role of Solara. Her performance is to an extent stong and provides excellent support to Washington.
The direction provided by The Hughes Brothers (consists of the twins, Albert and Allen Hughes) is excellent. The full movie is executed in the best possible manner. The action scenes are enjoyable and balanced out well, preventing the momentum of the movie from plummeting. They managed to make every scene interesting and succeeded in keeping the viewer entertained. 'The Book of Eli' is their fifth directorial feature and it's their BEST.
The cinematography by Don Burgess is stylish and beautiful. You get to see an amazing view of a dystopic future, it's depressing but stunning. The background setting just demands appreciation.
There are five main HEROES in the movie, Washington, The Hughes Brothers, the cinematography and last but not least, the world class background music score, which is provided by Atticus Ross. The music is great, situational and full of hope. It really gets you going, especially in the scenes where you see Washington continuing with his journey after each obstacle.
The only flaw in the movie is that the main character, Eli and the apocalyptic event, are not well-defined, leaving the veiwer with a few unanswered questions.
The movie has not done as well as it should have due to a poor marketing campaign and mainly because of the highest grossing movie of all time, 'Avatar' keeping the audience away.
'The Book of Eli' is an underrated book that is worth a watch.
The movie is set thirty years after an apocalyptic event and shows the mysterious Eli (Denzel Washington) travelling on foot towards the west coast of the United States to deliver an important book to a place of safety. During the travelling Eli attempts to overcome many dangerous obstacles.
The movie starts with a visually stunning scene, which sets the mood for a thrilling experience, progresses with a good build-up of tension and excitement and finally climaxes with a couple of cracking twists. The final twist is something you can't predict.
The story may seem straight forward but what makes it something special is the combination of the mystery surrounding Eli's character and the book, engrossing performances, emotional/dramatic scenes and an addition of well placed exciting action. It's a simple story told in an authentic manner making the full movie interesting and entertaining from beginning to end.
Denzel Washington who is also one of the producers of the movie puts in a restrained but a really likeable and moving performance. He's appealing as an action hero due to looking trimmed and at the same time is cool with the shades. Washington also impresses with his smooth and convincing dialogue delivery. Gary Oldman is ideal and effective as the main villain. The verbal exchanges between Washington and Oldman pack a punch. The surprise package in the movie is Mila Kunis who enacts the role of Solara. Her performance is to an extent stong and provides excellent support to Washington.
The direction provided by The Hughes Brothers (consists of the twins, Albert and Allen Hughes) is excellent. The full movie is executed in the best possible manner. The action scenes are enjoyable and balanced out well, preventing the momentum of the movie from plummeting. They managed to make every scene interesting and succeeded in keeping the viewer entertained. 'The Book of Eli' is their fifth directorial feature and it's their BEST.
The cinematography by Don Burgess is stylish and beautiful. You get to see an amazing view of a dystopic future, it's depressing but stunning. The background setting just demands appreciation.
There are five main HEROES in the movie, Washington, The Hughes Brothers, the cinematography and last but not least, the world class background music score, which is provided by Atticus Ross. The music is great, situational and full of hope. It really gets you going, especially in the scenes where you see Washington continuing with his journey after each obstacle.
The only flaw in the movie is that the main character, Eli and the apocalyptic event, are not well-defined, leaving the veiwer with a few unanswered questions.
The movie has not done as well as it should have due to a poor marketing campaign and mainly because of the highest grossing movie of all time, 'Avatar' keeping the audience away.
'The Book of Eli' is an underrated book that is worth a watch.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This surprised me.
Due to mixed reviews I was apprehensive of this title, which is why taking too much stock in what critics think is usually unhelpful. Yes, the overall story as cheesy parable of lone angel walking the earth in search of a place for his Bible is a little hard to swallow at times, especially after only 30 years post-holocaust, but that's why it is not worth 5 stars and oscars. etc. What is good about it is that it stays just at the right side of preachy. Denzel Washington's Eli does have the occasional soap-box moment but generally the Bible is used allegorically to express the kindness mankind does possess. This is seen in the Bible always being referred to as 'The Book'. Later on it is specifically named as the one and only word of God etc, etc but the message somehow never seems extreme. And it is plausible that in a post-apocalypse wasteland where man has regressed to the champion the call of the wild over civilisation that 'The Book' could be both an overwhelming comfort and devastating weapon.
This is where it succeeds as a film that doesn't preach; when the book is finally realised (I wont spoil how) it becomes just another book on a shelf full of other worthy classics. The word of peace and civilisation is the key, not the religion, but this is also where the film falls a little flat as we live in a civilisation that consumes many books and many many Bibles and we are far from a utopia (although we are slowly getting there!).
The main draw of this film, apart from excellent direction and photography (not to mention script) is the acting talent. Denzel Washington is one of the most watchable actors around and while he does not deviate from his normal schtick (although he rarely smiles here) you just cannot help but be enthralled by him. Gary Oldman is much the same. He is of such a high calibre that you feel privileged watching hs performances. Mila Kunis fits her character well also, although her 'Kung-Fu' transformation seemed a little trite. Other performances of note are Michael Gambon and Frances de la Tour as George and Martha respectively. The scene with them is both pivotal and blackly humourous, although it doesn't end well. Genius casting.
The 'twists' are merely plot points that were cleverly hinted at throughout the film and explains (a little) why Eli is such a great fighter. Whether you saw it coming or not is neither here nor there; the film does not dwell on them. It is a goody and baddy film and there are a few grey areas but not enough to elevate to the echelons of the classic cinema. However, as a great, albeit serious, actioner that is slightly more cerebral than most it works perfectly.
Highly recommended. Just don't expect miracles.
Due to mixed reviews I was apprehensive of this title, which is why taking too much stock in what critics think is usually unhelpful. Yes, the overall story as cheesy parable of lone angel walking the earth in search of a place for his Bible is a little hard to swallow at times, especially after only 30 years post-holocaust, but that's why it is not worth 5 stars and oscars. etc. What is good about it is that it stays just at the right side of preachy. Denzel Washington's Eli does have the occasional soap-box moment but generally the Bible is used allegorically to express the kindness mankind does possess. This is seen in the Bible always being referred to as 'The Book'. Later on it is specifically named as the one and only word of God etc, etc but the message somehow never seems extreme. And it is plausible that in a post-apocalypse wasteland where man has regressed to the champion the call of the wild over civilisation that 'The Book' could be both an overwhelming comfort and devastating weapon.
This is where it succeeds as a film that doesn't preach; when the book is finally realised (I wont spoil how) it becomes just another book on a shelf full of other worthy classics. The word of peace and civilisation is the key, not the religion, but this is also where the film falls a little flat as we live in a civilisation that consumes many books and many many Bibles and we are far from a utopia (although we are slowly getting there!).
The main draw of this film, apart from excellent direction and photography (not to mention script) is the acting talent. Denzel Washington is one of the most watchable actors around and while he does not deviate from his normal schtick (although he rarely smiles here) you just cannot help but be enthralled by him. Gary Oldman is much the same. He is of such a high calibre that you feel privileged watching hs performances. Mila Kunis fits her character well also, although her 'Kung-Fu' transformation seemed a little trite. Other performances of note are Michael Gambon and Frances de la Tour as George and Martha respectively. The scene with them is both pivotal and blackly humourous, although it doesn't end well. Genius casting.
The 'twists' are merely plot points that were cleverly hinted at throughout the film and explains (a little) why Eli is such a great fighter. Whether you saw it coming or not is neither here nor there; the film does not dwell on them. It is a goody and baddy film and there are a few grey areas but not enough to elevate to the echelons of the classic cinema. However, as a great, albeit serious, actioner that is slightly more cerebral than most it works perfectly.
Highly recommended. Just don't expect miracles.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ignoring the obvious and superficial Christian emphasis of the underlying plot, this film superbly chronicles one man's pilgrimage to take the only surviving copy of the bible to the last bastion of civilisation (in America, that is) surrounded by the barbaric degeneration of the few survivors of the apocalyptic event. Interestingly, there are undertones of anti-Christianity running through the plot; all of the bibles, bar one, were destroyed after the event that, presumably, Christian fundamentalism had somehow caused; and Gary Oldman's character`s desperate attempt to obtain the bible as a means to control the populace (opium for the masses, anybody?).
The film is dark, grim and unrelenting, shot with almost monochrome harshness. Denzel Washington's performance was brilliant as was Gary Oldman's (has he ever played a goodie?) and the cameo appearances of Frances de la Tour and Michael Gambon were delightful. The storyline was engaging and, without the usual Hollywood formulaic sloppy bits, perfectly matched the moody cinematography.
All-in-all, an excellent film superbly cast and peppered with just enough mysticism & symbolism - a worthy addition to the post-apocalyptic movie genre. The only criticism may be that every character was a bit of a caricature and that, really, the genre hasn't evolved much beyond Thunderdome.
The film is dark, grim and unrelenting, shot with almost monochrome harshness. Denzel Washington's performance was brilliant as was Gary Oldman's (has he ever played a goodie?) and the cameo appearances of Frances de la Tour and Michael Gambon were delightful. The storyline was engaging and, without the usual Hollywood formulaic sloppy bits, perfectly matched the moody cinematography.
All-in-all, an excellent film superbly cast and peppered with just enough mysticism & symbolism - a worthy addition to the post-apocalyptic movie genre. The only criticism may be that every character was a bit of a caricature and that, really, the genre hasn't evolved much beyond Thunderdome.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
book of eli.
great film. gary oldman plays a brilliant baddy once again as he did in Leon but less nutty.. denzel is the badass peaceful warrior.. Read more
Published 6 days ago by doopt
GREAT FILM GREAT TWIST!!!
We really enjoyed watching this film, we've seen it before however its one of those films you can watch over & over & enjoy it everytime, Denzil Washington plays a brilliant part... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Amanda
Yes there are two paths you can go by
Now has earth become a dangerous post apocalytic place populated by desperate, lawless people, scrabbling for survival, prepared to kill for the contents of a backpack. Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. Power
This film has style
Book of Eli is very well shot with great music, DW doesnt dissapoint in this action/thriller. Best film of the year!
Published 1 month ago by Mel Santino
Fantastic action and good message.
Overall this a great post-apocalyptic film. The action is great and fast paced and the plot doesn't suffer at all because of this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Liam Taylor
Extremely impressive and surprisingly action-filled, Good Film
[Mervyn Catley 18th March 2012]
First of all, this film is heavily pro-christianity. Not in a preachy way, but in a way that makes it clear the filmakers are saying... Read more
First of all, this film is heavily pro-christianity. Not in a preachy way, but in a way that makes it clear the filmakers are saying... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mervyn Catley
A twist in the tale
A fantastic film with a great performance by Denzel Washington. I found it really thought provoking - a new civilisation is beginning and all previous social rules and norms have... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maddie
Suspend your beliefs...
A big-budget hollywood movie made FOR christians BY christians...or so it seems to me (a cheerful athiest). Read more
Published 3 months ago by billy-bob basket-case
Eli;warrior of the Lord.
What an absolutely fantastic film! So encouraging in such dispiriting times! It is quite a violent film but with a brilliant theme behind it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by BJRocks,but not as much as God!
Unoriginal But Stylish
Ok, so this might not be the most original concept (post-apocalyptic world and all that), but it is extremely well done. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jon
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