Film Review: The Book of Eli

By Trevor S. Graham

GENRE: ACTION/POST-ACPOCALYPTIC
RATING: R
STUDIO:  WARNER BROS.
THEATRICAL RELEASE: JANUARY 15, 2009
DVD RELEASE: MAY 2010

The Book of Eli places the viewer in a post-apocalyptic world, which has been devastated by a war that tore open the sky, scourging the world’s surface and much of its population. The ones who have survived walk the earth as scavengers, taking or killing whatever they find. But, one man walks the world with a mission from a higher power that, if completed, will bring hope back to the world.

From the start we are introduced to Eli (Denzel Washington) although, we have no clue who he is or what he is doing. We watch as Eli walks down a paved path searching for the basic necessities of life, shoes, water, and shelter. As the audience is moved through the story we watch Eli dismantle groups of men with a god like power. We also learn that Eli is on a journey West where; the Lord has spoken to him and has given him a mission is to take his King James Bible (the only one remaining after the war) so it can bring peace to mankind. But there is a problem that Eli encounters along the way, a group of men want Eli’s book so they can use its words to control humanity.

The Book of Eli offers a very artistic style from a directorial standpoint. The Hughes brothers, took what could have been your “plain Jane” fight scenes, but with their unique filming style The Book of Eli’s fight scenes are a joy to and pleasing to watch; even if Eli is decapitating the heads of fifteen men. The art doesn’t stop there. The Hughes brothers also paint a gritty and desolate earth, just how all-apocalyptic worlds should look. I also believe with a little bigger budget that some of the film’s backgrounds could of looked spectacular.

The Book of Eli also touches on some very heated issues of our time, and some that plague humanity. Early in the film Eli is talking to a young girl and describes what the world was like before the war, and simply says people had more then they needed, and had things they didn’t need. This is a great theme to bring up in any movie, and one we all can relate to. Another issue is the issue of religion. Eli talks about how the he believes the war was started over his book (the Bible). This makes sense, given that everyday we hear of more religious attacks and more strain placed over the world religions, and how none of them can get along.

Overall I would recommend The Book of Eli. There are some flaws, but Denzel and Garry both put on great performances that truly drive the film. A flaw of the film is the film’s ending. It may leave you scratching your head. The writers and directors really take the plot mark and stretch it towards the end, but even as I am writing this that mark seems to be moving a little closer. As an audience you must be ready to examine every scene and store it in your mental filing cabinet until the ending of the film, where if stored right will make the ending hit home.

The film makes use of its R rating, taking full advantage with its fight scenes and language.