‘The Book of Eli’ is an Uncompromising Display of Morality through Grit
-----There have been plenty of post-apocalyptic films; some good, some dreadful. Rarely does a year go by without them, and the last few months have been no exception. October’s awesome ‘Zombieland,’ November’s ‘The Road,’ and even this month’s solid ‘Daybreakers’ can be considered among them. Unfortunately, it’s also very easy to fall into the category of “complete post-apocalyptic garbage” (aka the ‘Resident Evil’ sequels). And while occasionally conventional in its vision of a devastated Earth, ‘The Book of Eli’ stands above the general films of its genre due to its uncompromising and refreshing premise that manages the rare task of mixing gritty action and outstanding narrative character, including a plot that spits right in the face of typical Hollywood views.
-----The premise is simple enough. Eli is stranded in a post-apocalyptic world where you could as soon be killed as wake up in the morning. It’s been this way for thirty years since the “Big Flash” tore a hole in the sky. The result is less food, sunglasses a necessity, and absolutely no civilized order. And despite it all, Eli remains devout to his mission. Carrying a mysterious book, Eli is traveling west, and must frequently defend his prized possession from scum who would kill him and simultaneously lay waste to task. Eli capably handles them, until he meets one gang leader who believes that this book holds the power to control all the remnants of their shattered Earth.
-----Denzel Washington is the only choice for the lead role of Eli. As one of the few older men in the destroyed Earth, Washington’s veteran acting presence is in full display here. Portraying the best parts of past Denzel characters, Eli is driven beyond a doubt, particularly recalling Washington films like ‘Man on Fire.’ Furthermore, Washington’s self-proclaimed ideals in real life are a stunning fit for a character practically written for him. He works the film through its slower moments with an ever-present yet subtle display of passion and sincerity. Gary Oldman plays his intellectual nemesis in the film, a gang leader known as Carnegie. Oldman is also one of the greatest actors of today, and is most heralded for his chameleon methods that make him practically unrecognizable from film to film (see-‘True Romance’). Adding another hit to his filmography after recent turns in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise as well as ‘The Dark Knight,’ Oldman plays a maniacal yet sensible villain in this musty-looking and completely gripping role. Rounding out the leads is a somewhat weaker turn from the gorgeous Mila Kunis. In her defense, it’s hard for someone most known for their vocal talents on ‘Family Guy’ to keep up with silver screen legends, but she nevertheless remains consistently adequate or better as a young girl who quickly takes interest in Eli’s seemingly bizarre quest. The character is beneath the Kunis’s actual age, and perhaps that adds to the difficulty of seeing her as young and naïve when you can’t even get her turn in ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ off your mind. Nonetheless, despite these few scenes that seem a bit too young for her and her character, she amply takes care of business when it comes to action and onscreen chemistry with Washington.
-----Anyone who looked studied the film’s marketing campaign much at all will be able to guess Eli’s book, unnamed here for the sake of those yet to see the film. And really that is hardly the film’s major twist. After an intriguing but occasionally slow start, the film then grabs a hold of the audience and never lets go. As it approaches its nerve-wracking climax, the film takes perhaps its largest departure from average action outings. As you eagerly await the hard-fought outcome for Eli and his book, the film proceeds in directions that no one, seriously-no one, will see coming. The result is an original, uncompromising, and fully satisfying conclusion that takes the film to new heights.
-----Visually, and in coherence with the script’s dialogue, ‘The Book of Eli’ plays out like a graphic novel, including post-apocalyptic tales like the very similar Wolverine tale ‘Old Man Logan,’ or even the excellent though less alike ‘Y: The Last Man’ series. While ‘The Book of Eli’ doesn’t provide the most unique landscape for a post-apocalyptic adventure, its cinematography and general execution are consistent and strong. Somewhat reminiscent in tone to similar post-apocalyptic films like 1997’s ‘The Postman’ and 1998’s ‘Soldier,’ ‘The Book of Eli’ manages a more polished desert atmosphere. This is likely due to its budget and superior execution in the art direction department. Its musical score is one of its finest attributes; spectacularly executing an often overlooked element of the filmmaking process. Both epic and original, the score is essential in making the film stand out from more generic outings that make no legitimate attempt to differentiate from their genre peers in the music department. The action is brutal and intense, though it shouldn’t scare away those shy of gory outings, for it is neither stupid nor exploitive in its use of violence; pleasing both hardcore action junkies and casual viewers. The makeup department also does a great job on the minor mutations afflicting many of the film’s characters, along with some pretty crazy (on gang members) though occasionally inconsistent hairdos; that is to say, Mila Kunis’s hair is pretty clean for a world without soap. Smart locations and thorough sets round out the qualified execution by the film’s Directors, the Hughes Brothers.
-----In January it can be hard to get excited for films. However, it’s proven a pretty solid month so far, and ‘The Book of Eli’ only raises the bar. Delving into deep themes and complex motives, the film proves one of the more thought provoking outings I’ve seen as of late. Throw in some powerhouse performances from the leads, and this January action flick has entered the realm of great movies. Rarely if ever has such a profound message been combined so seamlessly with universal action. It’s an experience that makes its impact, quiet and controlled, while never wavering or giving into Hollywood convention. In fact, it shatters the commonplace Hollywood values of today, providing no “have it both ways” cop out, and no hesitation in its message. Where Hollywood depicts fragile and obsessive characters that share Eli’s ethics, ‘The Book of Eli’ gives us an infinitely wise and devoutly strong Denzel Washington. And while I can’t give ‘The Book of Eli’ a full 5-Star rating due to the occasional secondhand scene and some stylistic tendencies we’ve also seen before; the film as a whole, by way of its spectacular ending, nuanced narrative, and definitive moral standpoint, it receives my complete and unreserved endorsement.
-----Tidbit: It was nearly impossible to write a review for ‘The Book of Eli’ without any form of spoiler, a fact that every other review I’ve read gave way to. That being said, some of the more cryptic descriptions will likely make more sense after you see the film, but hopefully you can go in blind if you relied solely on Green Hat Reviews.
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