WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

In a post-apocalyptic future, Eli (Denzel Washington) travels across the landscape.  He is carrying a book that Gary Oldman wishes to take possession of.  Mila Kunis joins Washington in his travels.

WHO MADE IT?

The screenplay was written by Gary Whitta, a former editor of PC Gamer.

It was directed by Allen and Albert Hughes, who previously directed MENACE II SOCIETY, DEAD PRESIDENTS, and FROM HELL.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

When MENACE II SOCIETY premiered in 1993, the hype for the Hughes Brothers was such that I was there first show of opening day to see the film.  It didn’t live up to expectations.

In the years since, the two have worked of on and off, with their last major film being FROM HELL in 2001.  I remember little about that film.

Coming out of THE BOOK OF ELI, I hope we don’t have to wait nine years for their next film.  This was a terrific action film.

Denzel Washington is at his most Denzel-like in this.  He is just a movie star, pure and simple.  He makes it all look so easy.  Whether taking down a team of bad guys with a machete, or trying to strike a deal with Tom Waits, he is just effortless in what he does.

Like with FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, Mila Kunis proves that she could have a big movie career. The rest of the cast, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Jennifer Beals, and a cameo by a star I won’t give away at the end, all serve the material well.

The Hughes know how to stage an action scene.  There is one sequence, a battle around a house that is just stunning.  The camera acts as a sort of referee, running in and out of the house, moving in a seemingly unbroken shot to each side of the battle.

The less I say about the story the better.  I really don’t want to give too much away.  While others are talking about it, and it does raise some interesting themes, I won’t.

THE BOOK OF ELI is well worth seeing.  While AVATAR is the one pulling in all the money at the box office, this is a much stronger action film.

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