The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

The Student News Site of North Carolina A&T State University

The A&T Register

Eli’ is more than just an action flick

“The Book of Eli,” is a surprising theological insight, dilute by over-the-top violence in a post-apocalyptic setting.

 From looking at the previews, one would think that Denzel Washington was playing the action hero of the movie who would save the world from more destruction.

Considering, for the most part you would be right. However, as the movie progresses you begin to find out that there is a deeper meaning that the movie is trying to get across. The film setting is much like an old Western with bandits lurking in the desert, while roughcrowds take refuge in hardscrabble town.

Across this scorched land strides our Christian cowboy named Eli (Washington), a mysterious, solitary man who carries the last remaining Bible in his backpack.

He also carries a polished silver knife, a shotgun, and his I-Pod. Like a prophet, he has heard God’s voice in his head and he walks West with divine determination.

As he travels, we learn that a very vicious world war ripped a hole in the sky 30 years before the movie begins, resulting in the Sun scorching much of the Earth. After the war, many blamed it on religion and most of the religious books were burned. Eli was the only character in the movie that had possession to the last Bible in the world, making it precious cargo.

Since the Bible is a rare commodity, it leads Eli into trouble when he enters Carnegie’s (Gary Oldman) town.

Carnegie is a villainous man who is spearheaded by the fact that if he had the Bible in his possession that he could expand his empire and gain a huge amount of power. The film progresses little by little and you have to continuously watch the movie in order to understand what is going on.

Though the plot is not hard to grasp, very little is told to the viewer.

For instance, Washington’s character, Eli’s name was not stated until almost more than halfway through the movie.

Considering that it was the title of the movie, I do not feel bad that it was not stated. Now, most of the excitement in the movie comes from the acting. Oldman gives the movie, a nice yet cruel presence that Washington can spark against. But the storyline that the two play out cliché by cliché barely rises to their talents.

Considering, that Washington is a powerhouse actor, when he is fighting desert bandits and defending the world.

However, without the power of Oldman’s performance the action would have just been dreary.

On the other hand, the same praise can not be given to the other actors. Solara (Mila Kunis) is where the movie takes a wrong turn, first as bait for Eli and then his unwanted traveling companion.

Sure, she is appropriately entertaining and eager to help when Eli needs her, but she just does not correlate with her audience. Maybe it was just because every time she would speak the only thing that I would hear was Meg’s voice from “Family Guy.”

But I guess it is because she does not have enough experience for the big screen and maybe she needs to change her acting chops to pull off a dramatic role.

“The Book of Eli” is a descent film from the Allen and Albert Hughes. On the surface, it may not seem that enjoyable. Nonetheless, the movie does have some elements that make it satisfying movie. Personally, I don’t think my $6.50 was worth it but I am glad to see a post-apocalyptic include God into it for once.

Grade: B

  • Chelsea King
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