The Book of Eli is a brilliantly crafted movie that's underrated and under appreciated. If you're reading reviews before watching it, stop, just watch it as many reviews will expose a plot point that you not knowing will greatly increase the satisfaction of finishing this movie.
The story follows Eli a man walking the earth, 30 years on from a catastrophic event, led by his faith to deliver a book to an unknown location that he believes will save humanity. The movie picks up when he passes through a town run by a dictator who is searching for the very book Eli possesses.
Denzel Washington is marvellous in this movie. Every single scene he demands your attention. It's classic Denzel and further proof of why he is one of the greatest of all time. He's backed up by a stellar cast who all bring something to the party, especially Gary Oldman as the town's bad guy.
The book of Eli is presented visually in a very washed out fashion. It's not black and white but it's not far off it, being almost sepia, but with a flash of color here and there. It's bleak and that's what it represents.
A big part of the movie is the plot twist. That comes towards the end. It's powerful, clever and provides immense satisfaction. But it only works because the filmmakers fooled and deceived us on 2 or 3 occasions. However for me that doesn't detract from the movie as a whole.
My only issue is the jarring product placement of Beats earphones which feels so weird in every possible way.
The story follows Eli a man walking the earth, 30 years on from a catastrophic event, led by his faith to deliver a book to an unknown location that he believes will save humanity. The movie picks up when he passes through a town run by a dictator who is searching for the very book Eli possesses.
Denzel Washington is marvellous in this movie. Every single scene he demands your attention. It's classic Denzel and further proof of why he is one of the greatest of all time. He's backed up by a stellar cast who all bring something to the party, especially Gary Oldman as the town's bad guy.
The book of Eli is presented visually in a very washed out fashion. It's not black and white but it's not far off it, being almost sepia, but with a flash of color here and there. It's bleak and that's what it represents.
A big part of the movie is the plot twist. That comes towards the end. It's powerful, clever and provides immense satisfaction. But it only works because the filmmakers fooled and deceived us on 2 or 3 occasions. However for me that doesn't detract from the movie as a whole.
My only issue is the jarring product placement of Beats earphones which feels so weird in every possible way.