THE BOOK OF ELIrated R
ART--->**1/2
HEART->***
MIND-->**1/2
FUN--->**
Sometime in the future, the world waged a war that escalated to such a level that billions died, the atmosphere was damaged, and water all but disappeared. On a dusty road in this post-apocalyptic nightmare walks a Stranger (Denzel Washington). He carries with him The Book. And he is on a mission, heading west.
Thieves, criminals and savages block his way. He dispatches them with near superhuman ability. As for the victims, he must choose whether to help them or continue on the path. He meets a local tyrant (Gary Oldman) who is looking for The Book, believing it will give him power to sway the remaining population to do his bidding.
Joining the Stranger is Solara (Mila Kunis), a young woman intrigued by his faith.Together they fight on to their destination, led only by the Stranger's trust in his mission.
The world of THE BOOK OF ELI is familiar to moviegoers. Bleached and sandblasted images of post-apocalyptic destruction, somber, pressing tones, and a desperate struggle for hope. Water and food are scarce. Rogue gangs of thugs ambush the weak. And decay and rubble are everywhere. But this film differs from all we've seen before, in that its hero is a holy man. He's not a preacher, he's not a zealot, he's not a nut. The Stranger is a sober-minded follower of God, blessed with divine protection and a longsuffering that would finish most men.
The Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen), co-directors of this film, have taken a simple plot that in the hands of less competent filmmakers and actors would fall apart at the seams. But they imbue such a quiet integrity to THE BOOK OF ELI, that you are compelled to watch it. Denzel Washington turns off his usual charm to sink into the single-mindedness of Eli. Gary Oldman portrays no guile as the local thugs' leader. And Mila Kunis delivers a naturalistic performance that should rightly propel her career forward.
Eli is a man of faith, a righteous warrior, a holy badass. (I apologize for the language, but it's true). And he's been on this journey for thirty years before we meet him. So before you catch yourself singing "Onward, Christian Soldier," understand that there is a lot more here than meets the eye.
THE BOOK OF ELI contains faith, scripture, and prayer, all presented in an authentic, unironic fashion that is genuinely appealing. It also contains scenes of brutal and and graphic violence, that while I cannot truly defend, I can understand stylistically (as in the movie "300.") This is a serious action-drama with weighty issues of priorities and importance.
Normally I describe more details about the plot and characters, but this is a rare film that legitimately earns its surprises. The strong characters, tight direction, and clever irony make this film as solid as they come. THE BOOK OF ELI is...
RECOMMENDED (WITH RESERVATIONS)
includes graphic violence, brutality against women, language, and mature themes
HEART->***
MIND-->**1/2
FUN--->**
Sometime in the future, the world waged a war that escalated to such a level that billions died, the atmosphere was damaged, and water all but disappeared. On a dusty road in this post-apocalyptic nightmare walks a Stranger (Denzel Washington). He carries with him The Book. And he is on a mission, heading west.
Thieves, criminals and savages block his way. He dispatches them with near superhuman ability. As for the victims, he must choose whether to help them or continue on the path. He meets a local tyrant (Gary Oldman) who is looking for The Book, believing it will give him power to sway the remaining population to do his bidding.
Joining the Stranger is Solara (Mila Kunis), a young woman intrigued by his faith.Together they fight on to their destination, led only by the Stranger's trust in his mission.
The world of THE BOOK OF ELI is familiar to moviegoers. Bleached and sandblasted images of post-apocalyptic destruction, somber, pressing tones, and a desperate struggle for hope. Water and food are scarce. Rogue gangs of thugs ambush the weak. And decay and rubble are everywhere. But this film differs from all we've seen before, in that its hero is a holy man. He's not a preacher, he's not a zealot, he's not a nut. The Stranger is a sober-minded follower of God, blessed with divine protection and a longsuffering that would finish most men.
The Hughes Brothers (Albert and Allen), co-directors of this film, have taken a simple plot that in the hands of less competent filmmakers and actors would fall apart at the seams. But they imbue such a quiet integrity to THE BOOK OF ELI, that you are compelled to watch it. Denzel Washington turns off his usual charm to sink into the single-mindedness of Eli. Gary Oldman portrays no guile as the local thugs' leader. And Mila Kunis delivers a naturalistic performance that should rightly propel her career forward.
Eli is a man of faith, a righteous warrior, a holy badass. (I apologize for the language, but it's true). And he's been on this journey for thirty years before we meet him. So before you catch yourself singing "Onward, Christian Soldier," understand that there is a lot more here than meets the eye.
THE BOOK OF ELI contains faith, scripture, and prayer, all presented in an authentic, unironic fashion that is genuinely appealing. It also contains scenes of brutal and and graphic violence, that while I cannot truly defend, I can understand stylistically (as in the movie "300.") This is a serious action-drama with weighty issues of priorities and importance.
Normally I describe more details about the plot and characters, but this is a rare film that legitimately earns its surprises. The strong characters, tight direction, and clever irony make this film as solid as they come. THE BOOK OF ELI is...
RECOMMENDED (WITH RESERVATIONS)
includes graphic violence, brutality against women, language, and mature themes
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