The Book of Eli – Blu-ray Review
The Film:
Nearly ten years ago, then praised Allen and Albert Hughes nearly (well, critically) burned their promising directorial careers to the ground with their inadequate Jack the Ripper tale, From Hell. Luckily, The Hughes Brothers both rose like phoenixes from the ashes with their latest post-apocalyptic drama starring the heavy weight of A-listers, Denzel Washington.
In the not so distant future, the world is hit with a nuclear attack that has turned the world into a desolate wasteland with only hygienically deficient rapist, murderers, and cannibals walking around as regular pedestrians. A drifter named Eli with a love for Al Green and KFC wet wipes (played by Denzel Washington) enters a town that is run by the town’s tormentor, Carnegie. (Played by Gary Oldman) After hearing about a very special book in his possession, Eli becomes the deadly target of Carnegie’s henchmen as they want to possess the book that can save humankind. Bloodletting, bible thumping, and random cameos ensue.
The Book of Eli is a movie that possesses so much liveliness that one could easily erase the recent memory of John Hillcoat’s superior post-apocalyptic film, The Road out of their heads for a short while.
With its beautifully stylized set designs, seamless CGI and meticulously planned out swordplay, The Book of Eli proves to be one of the year’s first decent offerings. It helps that Denzel Washington pulls off the recent “I’m not too old to be an action star” trend effortlessly with his physically demanding role of Eli who has the moves of Toshiro Mifune and the balls of Snake Plissken. Like a very popular religious figure often suggested in the film, Washington holds the weight of the film on his shoulders. Even the always stellar Gary Oldman couldn’t upstage him as the brilliantly played enraged villain. (Although, Tom Waits almost stole a couple of amusing scenes with Washington in his small role as a shop owner.)
Now as fun as The Book of Eli was, it wasn’t without its flaws. Unlike The Road, which suggests only a person’s inner strength can keep their hope alive; The Book of Eli suggests that only the power of God can keep hope alive. Gary Whitta’s script can come off preachy at times and non-religious viewers may find it a bit infuriating to watch a film that says only Christianity can save us. I find this quite funny considering the film shows the “Jesus-substitute,” Eli avoiding to help a woman from being raped and killed so he can get his iPod charged early on. (What kind of message is that supposed to send?)
Also, after the film’s visually mesmerizing first hour, The Book of Eli instantly disintegrates its initial charm and luster with its rushed ending and absurd twist that only accomplishes pointing out an actor’s onscreen bad habit rather than actually making sense. Furthermore, whose decision was it to cast Mila Kunis as Eli’s annoying sidekick? Really? Just like most had suspected would happen, Kunis is way out of her league in this one and lacks any true chemistry with Washington whatsoever which is most likely due to intimidation. Once seeing the Sixth Sense-like twist at the end, I even find it that much harder to believe that Eli would let her tag along on his journey in the first place.
The Book of Eli may not be as dark as The Road, and despite its overly religious overtones, it’s still a solid action film to be recognized as it has some of the goriest and disturbing fight sequences since Kill Bill. The Hughes Brothers prove that after a nine year hiatus, they are still “menaces to film society.”
The Blu-ray:
Audio/Video: WB offers a superb HD presentation with rich details and textures, bold colors, and deep blacks, all with the intended look The Hughes Brothers wanted, which is the gray, dingy look. The DTS audio track is equally as good, if not better. Loud, bombastic, deep end, plenty of rear activity, all that makes for a great, immerse listen.
All extras are in HD.
Maximum Movie Mode: Much like previous titles from WB, we get this picture-in-picture track that features plenty of interviews that cover all areas of the film’s production. These are also included as separate featurettes called Focus Points. All in all, there’s plenty of good material to view.
Starting Over: Cast and crew are interviewed for their thoughts and theories of the reconstruction of our civilization after a nuclear holocaust, if one was to happen. It’s a bit simple, but kind of amusing.
Eli’s Journey: The director’s are interviewed in detail for a deeper chat on the film’s themes and ideas.
The Book of Eli’s Soundtrack: Atticus Ross and the director’s chat about the film’s unique and wonderful score. I was really high on the score, as you can re-read my review of the soundtrack here.
The Lost Tale: Billy: This is an animated prequel for the Carnegie character as a child. It’s pretty cool extra.
Deleted Scenes: We get three scenes here, but they do nothing to affect the final film.
BD-Live extras and a separate disc that houses the Digital Copy, finish out the extras.
Conclusion: Unique, interesting, but not without some flaws, the film is worth a look, and the WB Blu-ray is all around superb.
The Film: Rating: 
The Blu-ray: Rating:
Thanks for the review, Jon. I’m now adding this film to my Netflix list.
Jon,
Your comprehension of why Eli did not stop the rape of the woman “so he could charge his iPod” is false. Eli clearly said (3 TIMES!!) “Stay on the path, don’t get involved.” Don’t let your anti-christian bias bother you so much that you can’t pay attention to the many details in this movie. Especially if you review movies for a living. I find that The Book of Eli was a great commentary on modern Christianity. Eli represents a humble “in the trenches” Christian who struggles to just get by and is thankful for what he has. Carnegie represents Christianity based on materialism. You can have abundant living if you follow the preacher’s exact instructions and “have faith” and send a donation. Carnegie even dressed much like a televangelist.
I find the positive message in Book of Eli refreshing. I almost slept through THE ROAD and kind of got disgusted with the father worshipping and coddling his son as his personal god.
Thank you for your review.
Jon Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 5:49 am
No, thank you for your comment. I’m not anti-Christian, even though at times, it seems that way in my reviews. I found the film obviously good enough to have it warrant its 3.5 stars, but I don’t think it’s as deep as you say with dealing with Christianity. I just thought, at best, it’s a clever hook for a film.
The handling of the book based on two people within this crushed society is refreshing, yes, but also shows how man has used the Book for their advantage personally – both characters. Of course, we could go off on tangents, but that’s mute, due to our own personal difference.
Come back to Killer Film! We enjoy comments like this.
Minuteman Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
“The handling of the book based on two people within this crushed society is refreshing, yes, but also shows how man has used the Book for their advantage personally – both characters.”
In what way did Eli benefit from using the Book other than God’s protection of him and having something to study? Eli wanted to share the Book and even tells this to Carnegie
I only saw Carnegie trying to use the Book to his advantage personally.
From what I saw Eli only received persecution for having the Book. In my view that is not an advantage. Carnegie sought control and power and a dictatorship over several towns and wanted the Book even before he knew Eli had it.
We do have a difference of opinion, as a born again Christian I perhaps saw things that you missed in the film, such as the clouds and the wind leading him West, how Eli would lift his head up to the sky and listen to God telling him things and giving him direction, how Eli would turn his cheek from violent men, and Eli kneeling in prayer after he has been forced to kill.
If one is not a born again Christian these things would pass you by unnoticed as you are “carnally minded” (or should I say Carnegie minded?). But watching this movie from a Christian perspective one will see how God is just as important a character in this movie, if not more so than Solara.
Hypocrisy in Christianity is a major theme in this movie. If you watch “Carnegie’s Story” on the extra features this will provide further background and re-enforce my positions on this film.
Thank you for this great discussion!
Jon Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I’m not religiously blinded and I do see what you’re saying. again, I liked the film, but how can he determine if we all need the book, when free will is here to guide us to God’s word or not, if we so choose? Washington violently hurts people when he or the book is in jeopardy, making this act, his selfishness.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting; it’s always great to have a friendly chat about film.
Minuteman Reply:
June 18th, 2010 at 9:05 am
“I liked the film, but how can he determine if we all need the book, when free will is here to guide us to God’s word or not, if we so choose? Washington violently hurts people when he or the book is in jeopardy, making this act, his selfishness.”
Well, the answer is in the film itself. The War was obviously a religious based war or else why would they burn and destroy all the Books? Also, look at how society degraded in 30 years.
How can God give you the gift of “Free will” to choose if He does not present you with your choices?
Eli is carrying out a mission from God, he eliminates the threat to the mission quickly & efficiently and also makes sure that his opponents do not suffer needlessly and he also prays after the battle is over (probably for forgiveness for what he has had to do).
Using your logic,would you tell US soldiers they are being selfish for protecting themselves during combat while trying to complete their mission?
You obviously have some grudge against Eli with your comments on his character.
This film pushes aside the envelope of secularism that has been pervasive in Hollywood for too long. Movies like this challenge their watcher’s values and beliefs in a good way. If viewers are infuriated…good! Maybe they should examine themselves more closely for getting mad about a movie that promotes faith in a God they don’t believe exists in the first place. Or perhaps that fury they feel is their proof that God DOES exist.
Jon Reply:
June 18th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Again, you have good points. I just don’t know if the film ironed them out as easily for “non-Christians” to see and enjoy.