Select Page

The Book of Eli

by | Jan 19, 2010 | Book and Movie Reviews

The Book of Eli is a story about a post nuclear fallout America where anarchy is the norm and survival is hard-earned.  Books are scarce since apparently many people believed religion was the cause of the desolation, and so all religious books were destroyed.  Well, almost all.  But, in the midst of the chaos walks a man in possession of a powerful book.  He has been called by an inner voice that has told him where to find it and what to do with it: go west.  Along the way, he will be protected said the voice.  The story picks up with him walking through a barren wasteland trying to “stay on the path.”  Along his journey, and unfortunately for the bad guys, his path leads him into some gruesome fight scenes where the less-than-desirables, and there are lots of them, drop like flies at his skillful hands.

Denzel Washington delivers a convincing portrayal of a Christian man who is in possession of the titular “book of Eli,” and his only purpose is to deliver it somewhere out west where it can be properly used.

The acting is superb.  The main bad man (Gary Oldman), whose impressive sleaze captures most every scene he is in, tries to get Washington to give him the book.  When Washington refuses, the chase is on through a burned out, desolate landscape filled with suspicious characters.

There aren’t any sex scenes or nudity.  There is violence and women are “used” as objects.

Spoiler Alert–don’t read past this if you don’t want to know what the book is.

Being a science fiction fan, I’m drawn to these types of stories and, of course, to the concept of a special, powerful book in an apocalyptic context.  But, the surprise in the movie is that Hollywood actually portrayed religion in a positive way.  In fact, the book, which is a New King James Bible, is not ridiculed.  Its dealt with positively and is seen as a valuable artifact.  Washington, as a praying, Bible-reading man, doesn’t want a fight.  But, he finishes several of them and ends up delivering the goods.  The movie is well done, and if you can handle the fight scenes and occasional bad language, then you might enjoy it.  But be warned.  The Book of Eli is a violent film.

SUPPORT CARM

Thank you for your interest in supporting CARM. We greatly appreciate your consideration!

SCHOOLS USER LOGIN

If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at [email protected].

MATT SLICK LIVE RADIO

Call in with your questions at:

877-207-2276

3-4 p.m. PST; 4-5 p.m. MST;
6-7 p.m. EST

You May Also Like…