Ben O’Brien Smith

(As published in the Racquette Newspaper)

I’ve started to wonder how many different ways we can depict a post-apocalyptic world on the big screen. There are any number of probable causes ranging from virus outbreaks to natural global catastrophies to self-decimating nuclear war. All of the previous movies just seem to blur together. Albert and Allen Hughes have managed to break the mold and combine a decent plot with some good action sequences in The Book of Eli.

The movie takes place approximately 30 years after an apocalypse event resulting from war. Eli, played by Denzel Washington, is traveling west on foot across the United States on a religiously charged mission. Though many other people are struggling to survive in what small communities still exist, Eli appears to be battle worn and experienced in survival methods. His short but bloody encounter with a hijacking gang proves that he’s not too bad with a sword either. This really does seem to be pretty generic as far as such movies go; one man, traveling alone and beating the odds in order to achieve a goal set forth for him. It’s the typical journey of a hero.

Where The Book of Eli makes good on its promise of something fresh is in the religiously based context. Eli is in possession of a rare book, which is sought by another man known as Carnegie. Carnegie, played by Gary Oldman, has henchmen scouring the land for the one book. It seems that the educational system has fallen apart over time though because his men bring back nothing more than an issue of Oprah Magazine or an old copy of the Dan Brown novel, The DaVinci Code, without knowing the difference.

When Carnegie realizes how capable Eli is of surviving and handling himself alone, he is quick to try and recruit him for his mission to find the mysterious book. He offers to let Eli stay the night in their establishment while Solara, played by the stunning Mila Kunis, is tasked with seducing him into staying to join Carnegie’s cause. Solara stays the night with Eli though little seduction takes place. She learns of the book that Eli has been carrying with him and accidentally repeats a portion of it in front of Carnegie the following morning without understanding the importance.

This sets into motion a chase to retrieve the book from Eli. Several short plot twists take place, which leave you wondering if Eli’s efforts were all for nothing. Of course, when all seems lost and impossible, a stunning plot twist envelops the characters and seals the story. The best part is that you won’t see it coming.

Both Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman put on fantastic performances. They play their roles down to the souls of their respective characters. Though most of the other characters lack enough personality to fill a soap dish, they don’t detract from the plotline or the action. Tom Waits even makes an appearance as the local electronics and engineering expert. This movie is well worth watching, but I do think it’s time for the post-apocalyptic theatrical genre to meet its timely demise.