The Book Of Eli [Blu-ray] [2009]
July 23rd, 2010 by James
The Book Of Eli [Blu-ray] [2009]
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Rating
Just having Denzel Washington in a movie is always a good start and this film does not fail to deliver. Set in a post apocalyptic America; invoked by the almost total lack of colour in most of the film, the story follows Eli as he walks West across the desert carrying a precious book. On the way and in his path is Gary Oldman who also knows the power of the book and is determined to have it. Oldman rules a run down town from whence he sends out road gangs to pillage and search for the book. This part of the movie is like an old western and even features a saloon and a shoot out in the street. Eli escapes from the town and gains a friend in the virginal Solara; an excellent Mila Kunis, who follows him in the hope of reaching sanctity somewhere. This is a film that relies on a great storyline and fine acting without over the top special effects and CGI for the sake of it. This is a film that I will definitely be buying on blu-ray as it was so good. It is presented in widescreen letterbox format with an evocative and atmospheric soundtrack. To those critics who complained about its religious message I’ll just say that I’m a lifetime atheist but even I recognise the power of the word of the Lord and essentially that is what it’s about, not religion but the undeniable power of religion.
Rating
Went to see this at the cinema, so had to buy the DVD. Makes a change to see a story driven film without loads of “special effects”. I really didn’t see the ending coming and it was a real suprise. Also love the soundtrack, a great score by Atticus Ross. Definitely one of Denzil Washington’s best films
Rating
You rarely go wrong with a Denzel Washington film and you won’t with this one. Set some thirty years after nuclear devastion has bombed the earth back to the stone age (or Mad Max era), all alone Eli finds himself struggling to survive and driven by a need/desire to move west.
Along the way he is attacked and ambushed for his property and then tempted to stay with some post apocalyptic red necks in a town reminicent of an old western. The film is photographed beautifully and the scenery amazing in this devastated world where the strong or those with weapons survive and those that arent/don’t get a good butchering.
Some of the fight scenes are very well thought out and the acting by Denzel is brilliant supported by another nasty Gary Oldman character who has his own thoughts on progressing from the waste.
The actual ‘book’ of Eli is Eli’s own King James Bible which he reads everyday which gives him strength and something he guards with his life. Oldman coincidentally is on a quest of his own to find a bible as most were destroyed as he believes it will guide the survivors in their pursuit to survive and provide him with power.
What follows is one of the best post apocalyptic films todate with a few twists and turns along the way, 9/10!
Rating
This is a great post-apocalypse movie with many of the hall marks of the genre, a devastated/blasted environment, desperate individuals struggling to survive, roving bands of predators, people surviving in the wastes by cannibalism. Its more similar to The Postman [DVD] [1998] thanMad Max Trilogy: Mad Max, Mad Max 2 and Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome [DVD] [1979], except perhaps the final Mad Max film, but one of the best examples of the genre on screen I can imagine.
However it remains hopeful in its conclusion, there is also some attempts to create moral complexity in its characterisation of key individuals. For instance, the villain is essentially a benign dictator who has created some order out of post-apocalyptic chaos but has become an obsessive, even maniacal. On the other hand the hero does not always behave in typically heroic ways, he doesnt always intervene to save or protect the weak, he also gets carried away in battle, not ceasing violence until called to stop.
Some comment has, unfortunately, been made about pseudo-spiritual overtones in the film, there arent that many, it really depends on what frame of mind you are watching it in, unfortunately a lot of angry atheism solicits reactions which wouldnt have been likely as little as ten, maybe twenty years ago. Its funny because some of the references to faith and religion in the movie are vague, almost like pop cultural references, unlikely to please anyone with evangelical aims who’s critical of a secularised Christianity.
Contained in the extras on the DVD are two sets of interviews with cast and crew and concept designer which elaborate on this point and indicate the point is about knowledge, its use and abuse, its more about bibliophiles and book lovers and even the role of books in restarting a civilisation after collapse.
In this sense I was reminded of the conclusion of the classic The Time Machine [DVD] [1960] in which the time traveller finally departs to the post-apocalyptic future with four books to restart civilisation and the question is posed to the viewer which would they take.
The action is great, as much sword fighting as gun fighting, with scenes very reminiscent of some from Kill Bill Vol.1/Kill Bill Vol.2 [Blu-ray] [2003], particularly some out take extras on the DVD featuring a fight sequence in which Bill engages in some sword fighting.
Extras include a commentary, out takes and deleted scenes, two sets of interviews, one about post-apocalypse as a genre pretty much, the other about the moral complexities of the film and finally the soundtrack list.
Rating
We normally ignore all the extras on a disc, but we so did not want to leave the “moment” when this film ended that we watched all the extras and were in a bit of daze when we finally ran out of related stuff to watch. Unusually for post apocalyptic movies this is definitely NOT and action movie. It’s much more thoughtful and very atmospheric. Denzel as Eli is totally believable, even if the “baddies” are a bit stereo typed for my taste. Well worth the money.
Rating
This is clever, well acted tale, lacking only in a brief explanation the thirty year old apocalyptic roots of the ‘event’ which underpins the story line. It is perhaps difficult to accept Washington’s swiftly filmed successes in the fight scenes until ultimately his true role in the tale is uncovered. The ending, with it’s allegorical links to Christianity and the disciples – in this case a youthful, female and beautiful one – is near impossible to foresee (forgive the pun) and is both moving and thought provoking. A little piece of movie magic.
Rating
I missed this movie while it was at the cinema for some reason, but the trailer always stuck in my mind. Well after seeing it on DVD I was not disappointed. It’s a very cool and smooth movie with great acting from the 2 main stars Denzel and Gary Oldman as always. Considering the amount of post apocalyptic movies out there, it was a brave decision to make yet another movie set in such surroundings.
The directors have brought a real style to this movie that I really loved, with great cinematography and action to boot with a lovely storyline taking our character through the movie.
If you loved Man on Fire and Leon (as I did) then you will certainly like this, and if you have not seen either of those 2 films then you should !
Ignore the reviews here that have rubbished the film and those people who thought it was too much religious content. The Bible is there purely to serve part of the story and you really shouldn’t have any hang ups about the way it carries the story and enjoy this great little film for what it is.
Rating
When I saw this movie I was blown away with the Apocolyptic state of America. The harshness, the maurauding gangs and a man with a mission. Sounded like an old Clint Eastwood movie, but the main protagonist travels from the Eastern Seaboard to California (namley Alcatraz) with a mission, to deliver the Book of Eli. In the middle he get’s caught up with a gang who control a town and the Gang leader is looking for the book. TGary Oldman as the Gang leader is excellent, corrupt, sleazy and powerful. The harsh realities of living in an America destroyed by an apocalyptic event is scary. We dont know what the book is but a nice turn to an otherwise excellent movie.
Highly recommend this as a keeper on your DVD list.
Rating
I’d agree with most reviewers that this is an average movie, but, the twist at the end is the best movie twist I’ve seen in 2010 so far (no one in my family guessed it!). So, its worth spending your money to buy the DVD for this alone!. I merit it 5 stars on this twist alone. Simple. *****ENJOY!*****
Rating
This film is absolutely fantastic- I saw it at the cinema first and couldn’t wait till it came out on DVD! Absolutely fantastic film- the message it sends out is strong and definitely resides with you. I paid a good price for this and I received it in no time at all, even with the free super saver delivery! Fab!