The Book of EliMovie Reviews

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• So-so
  Written January 17, 2010

  THE BOOK OF ELI. A dreary tale. Grade: C (Based on advance VIP press preview on Jan. 14th. 2010)

  by MOVIES REVIEWER

  The Hughes brothers(Albert and Allen) directed this 118-min movie starring Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, and Gary Oldman.
  
  Filmed using the RED digital camera, this bleak color-leached post-apocalyptic tale suffers from a serious case of plodding slow pacing. At almost 2 hours, it simply dragged on and on... and could have been shortened to 1.5hr with little loss to the plot.
  
  That said - the plot/story itself could be improved because there were a few glaring holes that would leave a intelligent movie-goer wondering 'huh???'. Gary Whitta's script needed major improvements.
  
  The action scenes were well-choreographed and the utilization of CGI was above average.
  
  Denzel's performance was lack-luster while Gary Oldman over-acted. Mila Kunis was a serious case of casting error - she looked too glam and totally out-of-place. Michael Gambon, Frances de la Tour, and Jennifer Beals turned in above-average performances.
  
  VERDICT:
  This movie needs a miracle.
  Wait for the DVD.

  • 619 out of 628 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 16, 2010

  Thoughtful Flick

  by bostonite52

  For post-apocalyptic fare, this is probably the best I have seen. Denzel humanizes a role that could have turned this film into just another blood and guts fight film. Great story, profound and clever. Great commentary on power of faith and misuse of religion. And it is great to see little Jackie from That 70s Show shine in a dramatic role. Gary Oldman was superb.

  • 35 out of 40 found this review helpful.
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• No
  Written January 16, 2010

  Denzel Washington as a Bible toting fanatic on a mission from God!!!

  by screwylouie123456

  One synopsis I read put it this way "one man (Denzel Washington) fights to protect that sacred tome that could hold the key to the survival of the human race". Another, "a lone warrior (Washington) must fight to bring civilization the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption and save the future of humanity" I kept waiting to see how the Bible he carried was going to lead to survival of the human race or save the future of humanity.
  I'm still waiting!!!
  
  (If you want good vs evil, rent Stephen King's "The Stand". A great book made into a pretty decent flick)

  • 60 out of 92 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 15, 2010

  OSCAR OSCAR OSCAR

  by Pammo1949

  This movie featured one of the most talented actors of this time. The movie started slow and then picked up like a ride on a rollercoaster. The action was pheonomenal and the story thought provoking. As a regular movie goer I measure the movie by the time "I feel like I've been sitting in the theater". The movie was fast paced enough for me to forget about time and immerse myself in the story. This is no a movie for young children - violence prevails in most action scenes and it is visual and you can feel the action. As a Christ follower the movie was priceless. The "what if" was portrayed and the thank God for the power of "good" over "evil". I recommend it for all believers and nonbelievers. The most important lesson of life is taught and learned in this movie. The power of the WORD.

  • 32 out of 40 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written January 20, 2010

  The Book of Eli

  by Jamiescandal

  Decent post-apocalyptic survival flick starring the mighty Denzel Washington, the scary looking Gary Oldman, and the lovely and spunky Mila Kunis. Much of the scenery we have seen before. The story reminded me of the Crow, The Road, a little Road Warrior , and a ton of other end of the world type films. The Hughes brothers do give us some very cool and cleverly shot fight scenes, some unexpected tender moments, and some landscape imagery that may surprise you and stay with you. However, the movie did not seem to know exactly where it wanted to go and it suffers for it. I did enjoy it, but I have a feeling I would not feel the same way if Denzel wasn't the star. Every little thing he does is magic, and in a somewhat meandering/misguided/derivative film like this, that star power makes the entire film work. Mila Kunis, is great too,as is Jennifer Beals, in a supporting role, but overall, if it wasn't for Denzel I really could just as easily have left "The Book of Eli" unread.

  • 25 out of 35 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 16, 2010

  Not about religion

  by ithrah

  this movie, contrary to those who cannot see past any religious reference, is not about religion. it is about our history and this country's history cannot be separated from the bible. this movie was about hope, literacy, determination, power (and it's tools) but it was not about god. without giving anything away, the main character is misguidedly driven for the first three quarters, he is neither inspiring nor heroic. his transformation has more to do with recapturing humanity than it has to do with scripture. the wisdom that he draws from his knowledge of the bible is common to every major and most minor religions in the history of civilization. that wisdom is inspirational and hopeful but is only biblical because he had the bible and not the koran, the torah, or the bagahvad gita. if you go to see this movie please pay attention to the meaning and not the symbols. One neat hint is to pay close attention to one of the last scenes: the other books on the shelf. GOOD LUCK.

  • 21 out of 27 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 16, 2010

  For all christian leaders and believers alike

  by

  Non-believers step aside, The Book of Eli will make you feel stronger the next time you hold a bible. All Denzel fans beware, he's more dangerous with a knife in his hand. The Hughs Brothers recreated several passages from the bible and succeeded in painting this post apocalyptic vision, feeling the fatigue from this mans journey, walking for thirty years. It reminds you of Moses, traveling to the promise land; Eli was traveling to the West. The road was dangerous people had to revert to old ways, hunting anything that walked including humans. Eli's faith was his footsteps, guiding him across the land to a place where others didn't believe existed. I liked the overall feel of the story, actors Washington, Oldman and Kunis all put in good average roles. The overall scenery is what carries the movie with more drama than action. The book is the key of hope and I hope you take this movie for what its worth not holding any expectations. Rated R for violence and language. go see it

  • 16 out of 20 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 25, 2010

  An Envisioned Apocolyptic Future Not That Hard to Believe

  by chashe

  I read the negative reviews (view "the other side"), & boy, are those guys confused. But not too surprisingly. For those who have recognized the animosity building in our culture over the past 40 or so years against God/Christianity, it isn't a great stretch of the imagination to see the possibility of the Bible being banned by some future government of the USA, it's not too hard to envision a violent & Godless society then arising out of the rubble of a nuclear holocaust &, if you've had any direct or indirect experience with the living God & are familiar with the Bible, it's not inconceivable to think that God would protect His Word from extinction, or that there might be a strange twist or two, or that He might do it in the way it was portrayed in this movie, or that those opposing the man He chose to carry out this task would be cut down in nearly miraculous fashion. Okay, it doesn't line up with Daniel & Revelation, but that doesn?t mean it isn?t a cool storyline. Excellent movie.

  • 15 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written February 20, 2010

  If you're a Christian then read this one!!!

  by Spiritandtruth

  I was amazed that Hollywood would produce such a movie! I realize most aren't going to appreciate this movie for the reasons I did. I had no idea what this was about when I entered the theater and by the time I left I wanted to shout for joy. I wanted to yell it from the rooftops. This was such a wonderful film to me because my passion is Jesus and the Word of God. Yes, there is worldly language and much violence (my wife didn't care for ) but the overall message was about the preservation of the Word of God. When Denzel Washington's character began quoting the Word of God at the end of the movie it sent chills down my spine and tears to my eyes. If someone isn't a Christian you can certainly still appreciate this movie. It wasn't your every day storyline and that alone was refreshing. I would not suggest you allow young immature children watch this movie as there is much violence and cursing but if you're a mature Christian and see that for what it is then it's a MUST GO!

  • 14 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 25, 2010

  Book of Eli

  by Leighbra

  Definitely a "See on the big screen" movie, the wastelands and craters in the earth won't have the same impact on your TV at home. Denzel Washington gives a fantastic performance, as usual, when he plays Eli, a man with a very important mission. Any person who has a respect for faith will enjoy this movie, my non-Christian beliefs were not offended.

  • 14 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 15, 2010

  Great Movie

  by irrelevantcrap

  I am the kind of person who is easily annoyed by movies. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, the time it is set in and the characters presented felt authentic. There was plenty of action but not violence just for the sake of showing violence. The story is compelling and Denzel's performance was perfectly understated. Don't niche this as a 'christian' movie, it will appeal to anyone.

  • 14 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 25, 2010

  • 

    Inspirational, brilliant, straightforward and simple

  by deniol

  • 13 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 15, 2010

  Not quite what we expected...

  by loveblue2

  Being a Denzel fan, I couldn't wait to see his latest movie. In a word, The Book of Eli is...different. Because of the apocalyptic mood of the movie, we found the movie to be very dark and kind of depressing to watch. There's a message in there, but, some people who just want to see a "light" movie while they crunch away on the buttered popcorn may not find what they are looking for viewing this movie.
  
  We take so much for granted though...being able to turn on a faucet and get clean water, being able to walk into a grocery store and have anything we could want right at our disposal...living in a "civilized" world, (more or less, depending on where you live). The Book of Eli really makes you stop and think, "...what if all of that was taken away?" As always, LOVED Denzel. As Eli, he's the character he played in "Training Day", but, with a definate soft side. In this movie, he hurts only when he's forced to, which he does with stunning precision. Denzel is still # 1!!

  • 14 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 23, 2010

  Good Job Denzel!

  by charlesxavier

  Im not a big fan of Denzel,BUT He did a great job in this movie portraying Eli..The plot is weak,and the movie is far to short..BUT and I mean BUT....The way Denzel works his way through this movie is remarkable,and the atmosphere is incredible!. The action scenes are dramatic and violent,as they should be.and also remarkably realistic...nothing over the top...just brutal realism...And just wait till ya see the old couple in their big old house in the middle of nowhere!! That sequence alone makes the whole movie worth seeing...I say its the best post apololypse movie in a long time and will definately buy the dvd when it comes out!!!

  • 11 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 16, 2010

  This is why I love Denzel

  by pref

  So glad I didn't miss this one. This movie was way more than i expected. A real gem. Great action. Great story. I thought that what Gary Oldman's character was about had a really good message. That fear, force and other manipulations are the low road in civilization, as well as the abusability of faith.
  
  If you have any Bible based belief system I can imagine that it will have way more meaning to you than others. There are always going to be the naysayers if any tiny slight of religious theme enters the picture. They are like a bunch of children sticking their fingers in their ears yelling "I can't hear you". So sad because this is a great watch.
  
  Thanks to Denzel for his part in this movie. Thanks for walking to your own beat.

  • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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