I can’t say that I recall a movie off the top of my head where Denzel Washington was a quasi-martial artist. If you can then please help me out here. Based on the previews, The Book of Eli is trying to convince us that the 55 year-old actor can handle himself with a couple of swords.
So how was it? Who saw it? Should I go or should I skip this one?
Update 1/31/2010 (SPOILERS): I saw The Book of Eli yesterday and I am surprised to say that I liked the movie. Looking back at the ONE comment we received, I feel I’m going to have to disagree with MemoRiley. I found the film frightening because of the power of the book. I think everyone would agree that there isn’t anything more divisive or unifying in the world than the Bible.
In the film the world has been shattered by a war that some claim the “book” is to blame. That I believe. Our wars today come down to religious acrimony. After the war in the film all the bibles were destroyed and Eli has the only one in existence. (It’s the King James version by the way.)
It’s been 30 years since the war and no one can read. Only a few elders even know about religion. The antagonist, Carnegie, played so well by creepy-ass Gary Oldman, is one of them. Carnegie wants the Bible because of its ability to control the people. (He was probably a faithful viewer of Fox News before the war.) Eli is on a quest to take the book across the country. He doesn’t know why, just that the voice in his head told him to. Eli goes to war with Carnegie and many people die. It is yet another war over the Bible. Another, as if there hadn’t been enough death already. I mean, the world has ended. Maybe this book isn’t the best thing to have around.
As a viewer I’m supposed to root for Eli and his quest but I wasn’t sure that I could. The scariest part of the film for me was the printing of the book. Now the world could once again will unite behind the power of the book. Sure they might be inspired to rebuild but how long before those who believe and those who don’t clash again? It is a cycle of hate. In a world with nothing I don’t believe a Christian God is the answer. I believe food, water, and shelter is what everyone needs. Christians today forget that when they refuse to feed the homeless unless they sit through the Sunday service.
The Book is powerful. There is no doubt. As much as we all want to believe that it will lead us to the promise land, it won’t. The only thing it really provides is a reason for humanity to do the horrible things we do.
