This is a movie I really genuinely liked. I went in to this movie expecting to see 3 things: 1. Denzel being his usual bad ass self; 2. Denzel being a bad ass and kicking everyone else's ass with that cool sword of his; and 3. Really cool visuals. I got all 3 of those things. What I didn't expect to get was a super cool twist and a decent but slightly different morality tale. This movie delved into some topics that I didn't really expect a big Hollywood movie to delve into. Don't get me wrong this is still a pretty mindless, good fun action flick, but at the same time it has some heart and soul to it that I was not expecting.
Eli (Denzel Washington) is a man who has been travelling across the US for 30 years, walking west across post-apocalyptic America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a total wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization reminiscent of the Mad Max movies where people must kill or be killed. The barren roads belong to gangs who rob and kill for water, a pair of shoes, or just for fun. Eli is a peaceful man who only acts in self defense, but also happens to be a bad ass warrior with awesome killing skills when he is challenged. Eli is guided by a higher power and a mysterious book. He is given the task of protecting the book and taking it to its final destination. Eli guards the book with his life, because he knows that the book is the only hope that humanity has for its future. He comes across a town/settlement that is run by the despot Carnegie (Gary Oldman). When he learns of the book that Eli carries, he decides that he will stop at nothing to get it and harness its power. Along Eli's journey, he meets Solara (Mila Kunis - the little hottie from that 70's Show and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and she accompanies him on his journey to the place where his book will be safe.
Like I said, this was a really good flick. I don't think Denzel has ever messed up on a role. He even makes otherwise terrible movies actually decent. See The Taking of Pelham 123. He once again delivers as a quiet, smart hero. Every one's performance, I thought was a little subdued, which fit well with the tone of the film. Mila Kunis, who while I think is quite cute, can sometimes get a little annoying, was actually decent and seemed well cast in her role. Gary Oldman, who I think is a phenomenal actor, has a tendency to completely overact, kept in check on this one. The fight scenes are awesome basically because Eli is such a stud and totally F's of the bad dudes in every way. And his sword is super cool! The movie is post apocalyptic so it is film in the stark deserts of western America. It is filmed through a greenish lens and is a bit washed out, which only adds to the tone. There is not much humor at all in the film so don't expect any laughs. There's an exchange between Eli and a shop keeper (Tom Waits) which is sort of light, but definitely not funny.
If you like action movies, you like this one. There's plenty of it. If you like Denzel you like this, because he's in at least 90% of the scenes. This is a serious action drama and it is thoroughly entertaining. Is it the best film I've seen? No. Will you be glad you saw it? Absolutely. Will you be totally blown away by it? Not really. I recommend this one. If you don't catch it in theaters, it's a can't miss rental.
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