Pretty average if you ask me..
The Book of Eli (2010)
Directed By: The Huges Brothers (Meanace II Society)
The Prologue
You know I like Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman. I really do. That being said however, this wasn’t really a movie I was ranking at the top of my “to watch” list. As a matter of fact I’ve passed on watching this thing time and time again. That being said, because some folks wanted a review I finally watched it and it wasn’t as bad as I figured it would be. Not that the trailers made it look bad, the trailers made it look awesome, really awesome. I think however we know not to go by that right?
So with The Book of Eli, let’s all see what our end results are shall we?
The Movie
Denzel Washington in the role of Eli in this post-apocalyptic tale plays an aging man on a mission to deliver a book that has the power to save the human race. A mission he has been on for 30 years. As if it probably wasn’t a hard enough road on Eli as it was, things get a bit harder for Eli when he ends up in the are of a man named Carnegie (Gary Oldman) who just so happens to be wanting that book for very evil reasons I’m sure.
The Book of Eli doesn’t start off bad, perhaps it doesn’t even end up that bad. Sadly however, I’d say the film seems to be lacking in some areas as much of the story seems to be “just there”. I won’t knock Denzel for his age or for taking the role because given the plot, that fits. I also won’t knock Gary Oldman, but I do feel he over acts in many scenes in this movie. Perhaps his over the top pro-trail of Carnegie does kinda take away from the movie and make serious parts seem comical, but that’s not THAT big of a deal. It’s just a case of a plot being very lacking and of Mila Kunis being asked to take up too much TV time in a role that doesn’t fit her at all. She of course plays Solara, a girl that Eli meets up with along the way.
The action scenes are well organized and look pretty cool at times as Eli easily disposes of the bad guy in very comic book fashion at certain points as well. There’s some nice explosions and gun fights for all you action fans out there to. However still, in the middle of the fighting and things blowing up I think you’ll admit that it still doesn’t blow you away, as it sure wasn’t enough for me.
Without spoiling anything this movie does wrap up with a very interesting twist, one that is hinted at throughout the film if you pay attention. Depending on how you feel about that may also result in how you score this one. From what I’ve been able to gather any logic holes from that twist (and there are plenty) are covered up by the directors as simply saying it’s due to “spiritual reasons”. And this film is very heavy on the spiritual and religious elements. Now to a guy like me, that’s fine and I can buy that, but a lot of you won’t.
I can however assure you my rating of this film has nothing to do with that part of the movie what so ever. I simply just wasn’t too impressed with this one over-all. It’s not bad, but it is held down by a wishy washy plot, a twist that may confuse the heck out of the average viewer, and some major miss casting. It’s not terrible but is very forgettable once the credits roll.
The Conclusion
I’d say it’s worth a rent for all you fans of Denzel Washington. That being said, it’s by far not his best work. I know it may sound like I’m being a little hard on this one but there are a lot of things you can let a low budget film slide on that you simply can’t with a major releasing like this.
Still, I won’t give it that low of a score and I’m giving it only a minor recommendation.
The Rating (6.5/10)
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