The Bok of Eli movie poster

“Book of Eli looks awesome!”  – that’s a random text I got from Craig.  Response “Was it something you found while cleaning your bookshelves? or is it a movie or something?” — for once, I was not near the internet, so I couldn’t look it up, as that is a total “Let me google that for you” question.  Turns out it’s an action movie… one with great action, and something I have to warn you about….

The trailer looks pretty damn cool.  Post apocalypse movies tend to be cool, and this one has some great action. However, it has a serious religious agenda, and that bothers me. Unlike most movies, I will reveal part of the plot (but not the major plot twist, so it’s cool). It feels like we had to pay to hear that the Bible is what will save humanity.

The camera angles, footage, effects, and colorization of the film are all pretty stunning.  It’s a captivating film for sure.  The characters seem like they were borrowed from Water World…

The characters all wear the dusty jackets… many have those grizzled beards, bad teeth, are violent, and all wear those goggles.  They behavior and speech patterns also remind me of the typical post-apocalyptic thug.

Now for the plot (This may ruin it for some of you… though… the trailer kind of gives it away)

Denzel’s character is a n ex K-mart worker, named Eli who had a voice in his head tell him where to find the last King James Bible on Earth (They all got burnt after the war… since many say that’s what caused it… finally something in that movie I agree with), and walk it to safety (something which takes him 30 year to do).

There are those that want the book as a means to control the masses (another thing I agree with), and Eli kicks their asses with his trusty knife, and his bow and arrow.

Whenever Solara spoke, I thought of Meg Griffin

Of course there’s gotta be the girl – though, not a romantic interest – name Solara.  She’s played by Mila Kunis, and does an ok job not reminding you of that 70′s show.  But I gotta tell you… I couldn’t stop thinking of Meg Griffin from Family Guy (who Mila plays the voice of).

There’s really not much else to say.  The villain Carnegie, played by Gary Oldman, is smart, and kind of funny, but he too is so stereotypical.

Some of the scenes and logic is original, and witty.  The movie has a cool 10 minute intro to demonstrate what post apocalypse life might be like.  I like how Denzel talks about the old world, though I don’t think that’s their agenda so much as to say “God exists, he still works miracles, and the bible that’s worth saving is the King James  version.”

If you’re just looking for cool cinematography and action, go see it.  But most of my friends, I would not recommend this movie for because of that religious agenda…. I know that it would turn them off too.

Coincidentally, there was a trailer beforehand starring Mel Gibson