From looking at the previews I really couldn’t tell what The Book of Eli was about. And the first trailer for it wasn’t all of that…but I had to stop and say to myself…”Denzel Washington (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) has never been in a jive movie. So, why would he start now?” For real. And the movie wasn’t jive at all. It was actually very good. A tad bit violent, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Hughes brothers (From Hell, Dead Presidents). They likes der movies Vy-o-lant!

This is one of those reviews where I just really can’t say much about the film, or I think it will give key things away. So, I implore you, do not talk to anyone about this film until you've seen it. This is a flick you just go and see. You need not worry too much about not knowing what it’s about except that it’s another apocalyptic type of film, but with a different twist.

Eli stars, of course, our boy Denzel as a man trying to survive in a violent post-apocalyptic world as he makes his way west, just staying on the path and protecting a sacred book that could be used to some as a weapon, and others as a possible key to civilization's deliverance.

Eli had a very mixed and interesting cast. Gary Oldman played a power-hungry nut named Carnegie and oh so nutty he was. Gary can act. He surely wasn’t playing the nerdy Commissioner role as he does in the Batman movies. Gary knows how to transform.

Hey, does anyone remember the 1983 film Flashdance? I know you have to. It’s a classic. Well, the star of the movie Jennifer Beals has herself a role up in Eli. Jennifer looked lovely as she always does and still can act. I hope we see her in more motion pictures as oppose to just TV.

Little Mila Kunas (Extract) playing the role of Solara, held her own next to the Oscar winning star Denzel. Good for her. I know she was probably telling all her peeps…”I’m going to be playing opposite Denzel Washington. I can’t believe it.” Heck, that’s all she needed to know. That’s a great opportunity.

And what is up with the apocalyptic movies? In the past year, how many has there been? My word, I saw The Road not that long ago and now The Book of Eli. The world is totally ruined and in shambles. The cities are decrepit. There are people eating people…nasty having cannibals. You can’t have a movie like Eli without having some kind of craziness going on. YUCK!   

Seeing this film and others like it makes me extremely happy for the basics. Shoot, peeps needed something as basic as Chapstick which now I see is something of a luxury… but dang it if Denzel didn’t need some. His lips looked like they were craving for the taste of some cherry Chapstick or Bert's Beeswax... for real.

Eli has lots of blood and killings so its rated R for a reason. The acting is extremely good and the main cast is solid. There's a message in this movie some may like and be prepared to walk out wondering what the *#&$&*?

No question, Denzel equals good film.

My Rating ~ 4 Reels

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