Movie review: Eli endures
By Evan Malone
Last Updated:1:26 PM EST 1/28/10 Section: Lifestyles
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Denzel Washington stars in what seems to be a unique role that isn't seen from him often. Washington plays a man named Eli. He has survived "the war" and has been guided by a higher power to walk west across America.
During his travels, Eli comes across what he calls "hijackers." These are bikers that attack others and take all of their belongings, as basic everyday things like water are scarce and very hard to find. Eli is a skilled fighter that is able to kill off these men easily.
Eventually he reaches a town and goes into a bar to buy water. He is approached by more bikers that try to fight him and take his belongings. When Eli refuses to give up his backpack, he kills one guy and the entire bar attacks him.
The leader of this town is named Carnegie, played by Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight). Carnegie is one of the only literate men still alive in the world and is both fascinated and suspicious of Eli.
As the movie continues the viewer learns that the book Eli has is also the book that Carnegie is paying the bikers to go out and find. A girl named Solara, played by Mila Kunis (Family Guy and That 70's Show) joins Eli on his journey and helps him attempt to reach his destination.
The ending of the movie is very surprising and might make you scratch your head and think about it. I am still unsure if brothers Albert and Allen Hughes, directors of this movie, were trying to send a religious message to the audience or not.
At times this is a very slow-paced movie.There are scenes that only show Eli walking, but the visuals in these scenes is jaw dropping and stunning. Also, the viewer never fully learns what even took place that caused this apocalyptic setting.
Washington trained with martial arts expert Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee's protégé. When first watching this film I was unsure if Washington was doing his own fight scenes or of it was a double because of how well they were choreographed.
I was happy when I read that Mila Kunis was awarded this role after Kristen Stewart, whom you may unfortunately know as Bella from the Twilight Saga, was unable to play this part because of scheduling conflicts with New Moon.
My thoughts on this movie are still up in the air. Denzel Washington does an excellent job as Eli. I've never seen him in a role with as much hand-to-hand combat and fight scenes as this one so it was nice to see him as this type of character.
I wouldn't necessarily tell you not to go see The Book of Eli. Many of the scenes are visually stunning with fun-to-watch fights and a twist at the end that may either make you mad or make you say, "Ohhhh I get it now."
If you're dying to see this movie then it would be worth it to see it in theaters, but if the trailer makes you unsure like I was, you should wait until its DVD release.
ejm03514@sjfc.edu
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