The Book Of Eli

I must say I had very high anticipation about this movie when I first saw the previews in the theaters.  From the previews I saw lots of the great things I love in a movie.  Post Apocalyptic…check!  Big name actors…check!  Totally hard core lead character…check!  Impressive combat scenes…check! And explosions!  From the preview I was hooked.  And then I saw the movie.

The Book Of Eli is one of the best films I have seen, and one of Denzel Washington’s best films.  This is also the first film from the Hughes Brothers since 2001 and it is an absolute moving experience of a film.  Denzel takes the role of a man on a journey coming from the east heading west in what is left of America after some cataclysmic event.  Denzel gives a performance that draws you into the depths of the character and grips you with all of his powerful yet subtle emotion, and only releasing you at the very end.  The supporting characters such as Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis give a superior performance along side Denzel.  Mila Kunis shows her versatility as an actress, and this will be one of her more memorable on screen performances.

One of the things I enjoyed about this film is that is wasn’t a complete bloodbath during the fight scenes.  I think in recent years filmmakers have pushed the limits of blood and gore too far to the point a film looses it point.  Not here.  It is very clear in the Hughes Brothers presentation that the fighting was a necessary although not welcoming part of Eli’s mission.

The film is full of symbolism and allegory.  You will not walk away from this film disappointed.  I am personally adding this film to my personal collection once its out on DVD.