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The Book of Eli (2010)

Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes

Time Out rating

Average user rating

43 reviews

Synopsis

Denzel Washington stalks a post-nuclear wasteland, the lone protector of an ancient and sought-after document: The Book of Eli.

Movie review

From Time Out London

The stylish opening – a camera track through an ashen forest – attests to the talents of ace cinematographer Don Burgess. His moody and immersive visuals (most memorably a shoot-out filmed, ‘Children of Men’-style, in an illusory single take) lend weight to this otherwise routine post-apocalyptic tale set in a future America of 2043.

A mean motherfuckin’ servant of God (Denzel Washington) shepherds a mysterious book to some locale way out west. After a stopover in a decrepit outpost, the holy warrior attracts the attention of a snake-tongued saloon owner (Gary Oldman) who wants to use the book for his own purposes. Cue guns ’n’ ammo showdowns, not to mention much product placement –the J Crew and Motorola folk bedevil us even in the end-times.

Thank the pallid green heavens for Jennifer Beals (long ago in ‘Flashdance’) who is ravishing as a sightless kept woman acting as the story’s oracle. She wanders the halls of her makeshift prison like a goddess deprived of power. For a few brief moments, the film becomes something close to Greek mythology, as opposed to weak graphic-novel imitation.

Author: Keith Uhlich

Time Out London Issue 2056: 14-20 January, 2010

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User reviews of this film

ed said...

Posted on Apr 26 2011 14:03 I saw this movie on cinema realease and gave it 2x*. I rewatched it over the easter break, just to see if the "twist" was obvious throughout and it's a better film going in 2nd time. You appreciate teh clever nature of Denzel's performance and you wonder quite how you missed what many of us did. I think this movie suffered by comparison to superficially similar THE ROAD. I saw them back to back, and whilst THE ROAD was way better I can appreciate many aspects of the film now. This is NOT a Christian movie, this walks a neutral path in saying power corrupts int eh wrong hands. Religion can be the cause of war (which in many cases is and always has been) The "BOOK" could have easily been any object that holds power. Gary Oldman's character is left a good opening ending and I liked the outcome.
One many levels I feel the same way as on first viewing, it's very corny at times, the Michaal Gambon / Frances De La Tour cameos are unwanted and tonally out of place. But it has enough originality. I;ve come back to give it an extra star because 2nd viewing improves it and makes you look around a bit.

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Douglas said...

Posted on Mar 06 2011 10:33 Oh yes, I forgot to add:
I thought the girl in the film who travels with him was terrible. While everyone else was acting with the gravitas of a terrible post-apocaleptic world, she was walking about in her tight jeans like she was popping out to shop at the nearest mall. She never even seemed that bothered when bullets where flying about her head. She seemed totally detached.
They really need to get female acters who actually ACT like they believe it`s real, rather than act with `attitude`, which is no acting at all-
She was really the only thing that spoilt it. Perhaps they should`ve made her show some cleavage (if she had any ) to make up for her crap acting!

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Douglas said...

Posted on Mar 06 2011 10:24 I am not particularly religious and was intrigued when the film said that people had decided to destroy every Bible in the world.
After looking at some of these comments I now believe that there are some who would truly destroy every Bible in the world.
Oh and I liked the film although some things didn`t quite make sense- I suppose that was the ultimate faith, God- protecting him and the last bible thing going on.

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Martin said...

Posted on Aug 30 2010 17:27 I'm a big fan of the whole post apocalyptic thing (from Mad Max futuristic nuclear wastelands to zombie ravaged worlds) and I don't think I've seen Denzil in a film that I haven't liked....so I was looking forward to this but I have to say I was disappointed. I know people have asked to keep religion out of the reviews but it's quite hard when the whole point of the film seems to be it's religious message and it's not exactly subtle. On one hand we have Gary Oldman (the baddie) who see's religion as a tool to manipulate people...then we have Denzil (the hero) who's the devout 'ass kicking' Christian. I think if you're a christian you might like this film and if you're an atheist then chances are you'll probably struggle with it. Everything in the film is fine, the acting is fine, the sets are cool, it's beautifully filmed, but I don't like the message so I don't like the film. Possibly not the best film to watch if you're going through a 'Richard Dawkins' phase as I am.

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Charles Karges said...

Posted on Jun 21 2010 02:09 When I first began to watch the movie, I was rather disappointed at first and stopped watching. The my wife and grandson began talking how good it was, I watched it again in its entirety. After seeing the entire movie, I was very very enthralled with the movies story line, the actors performance, and the story and message set forth in the film. I must rank the "Book of Eli" as one of the best movies i have seen in the last tweny years.

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Curt said...

Posted on May 01 2010 17:58 Gee,Alex I sense some anger in you.What's that about?

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Ellie said...

Posted on Mar 19 2010 12:56 Nevermind all your opinions on the existence of God or not or who is or isn't religious I liked the movie pure and simple but then I think Denzel is God

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kevin said...

Posted on Mar 13 2010 01:46 yo alex. i dont know if you've caught on yet but i dont think anyone cares to hear your worthless theological opinion.

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Andrea said...

Posted on Mar 12 2010 00:22 Now children stop fighting. This movie was really good and I feel saddened by people who don't believe but I'm not going to bash them because of it. I think Mr. Jay is correct. If you want to think about the movie in the religious aspect that is your business but Jesus taught love not hate. I think it is silly to get into religious arguements over a movie. God bless all

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manito said...

Posted on Mar 08 2010 01:08 There is a StarMan Waiting in the sky
Hed like to Come and Meet US
but he thinks he'd BloW our Minds
thats the most Athiestic i can be but nomore

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MrJay said...

Posted on Mar 07 2010 18:17 I'm an Atheist and I loved this film. I can't stand people brining religion in these reviews. So please keep your opinions to yourself in that respect. Just see it with an open mind.
It was a refreshing change from almost all other films in the genre, I especially like the ending.

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Sean said...

Posted on Mar 07 2010 00:00 To all of you HATERS, especially the venomous Alex. You know the truth. Thats why you are foaming at the mouth to blast this movie. Your atheism is so freaking obvious man. If you are so against this so called invisible sky friend then why did your God hating ass go see it? Whos the dummy?
Heres a saying that I know will eat that vehement brain of yours
JESUS RULES!!!
lol

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ineedlove13 said...

Posted on Mar 03 2010 19:18 i have to admit that Mila Kunis was not the best choice HOWEVER, Easily the B-est M-ovie ever to be categorized as Post-Apocolypse. as to Denzel i salute n congrats him for his second initiation in this mythical action/passion packed performance movie (the 1st was Malcolm X). as to Gary Oldman the master of Eccentricity he couldnt done any better role since the Professional ((raisin hats real high to the OldPirate). Don B-urGess you are the Man!! to the rest of British Masters and mistresses thank u for bringin out the light. the rest of you who did not like the movie or saw nothing in their, you are not much different than the bikers in the movie (illetirate,blind,scared and violent)may the ONE have mercy on your souls cuz you will be held accountable for ur thoughts and actions! so reflect on ur selves before its too late!
P.S. i'm so far from being religous and Jennifer Beals did well!

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Jock said...

Posted on Feb 26 2010 12:32 Alex , you mean spirited simpleton.Do not beat anyone up with the grammar stick unless you are 100% perfect yourself.
Surely it is downloaded`from` and not `off`?
Surely a comma can not be followed by the word `and`?
I believe it is one or the other.
Cineworld should have a capital`C`.
Who in their right mind goes to the cinema to watch half a film?
Furthermore if your wife wanted you to see how awful a film was I can only assume she had seen it already and so why would she go again?
Or if she had been told it was so bad then choosing to waste your time on a movie you know will be dung,also beggars belief.
Yes the written word is a tough one for those of us who are dislexic , as I am.My point is valid even if my spelling and typing are not.
What does`practically` free mean exactly? it did cost something then.
Moving on,
the card is £13.50 a month so surely 5 films would equate to £2.70 per film would it not.
I know many non christian muslims who believe in God, so again your arguments are not well thought out,which all goes to prove that we can not really take your film reviews that seriously now can we?
Denzel HAS made better films than this one.That does not however make this one rubbish,that's a little too black and white for most of us.Good, better, best,great,greater and greatest are all adjectives that can be used to rate movies accurately.
Run along now.

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Alex Botten said...

Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:09 Oh Jock, your ability to construct a point is only rivalled by your incredible grasp of spelling, grammar, and correct spacing of punctuation!
The cineworld card costs £13 a month so, if I've been to see more than 2 and a half films that month, everything else is (effectively) 'free'. I saw the Twilight films because my wife wanted me to see how bad they were - we downloaded the first one off bittorrent (so that was free), and I endured the second during a weekend where we saw about 5 movies (so that was practically free as well).
Either way it doesn't matter, The Book of Eli was a terrible film, people who liked it are either rabid Christians or just pure idiots, and I've had enough of reading about how I'm 'condemned' for not liking this hokey load of toss.
Bye all.

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