The Book of Eli

The post apocalyptic world of The Book of Eli will be familiar to those who have played the classic videogame series Fallout. Denzel Washington plays Eli, a lone walker carrying a book that is precious to him, on a mission that only he knows about. It is a world where the sky has been torn open by nuclear war, leaving the Earth desolate and empty. Bandits and thieves harass and murder innocents on the road for basic supplies; Eli is clearly a tough individual to have survived.

Gary Oldman plays Carnegie, running a small town like his personal empire. Oldman delivers (as usual) through a combination of subtle prosthetics and an incredibly convincing performance. Mila Kunis is serviceable as the film’s requisite damsel/companion.

There film hints at metaphysical elements while keeping things believable. If you want to watch the film with the idea that a higher power is involved, you can do so. Likewise, there are logical explanations for everything that happens, making viewing The Book of Eli an interesting journey for those who might disagree on how to interpret it. I can’t get into the plot without spoiling more details, so I’ll finish this summary by saying I liked the movie, and what I took from the ending made the the time I spent with it worthwhile. Continue reading »