The Book of Eli (2010) Movie Review

***Reader-Submitted Review***

By: DjTranz Prabu
(Malaysia)

Directed by: The Hughes Brothers
Written by:
Gary Whitta
Starring:
Denzel Washington - Eli
Gary Oldman - Carnegie
Mila Kunis - Solara
Ray Stevenson - Redridge
Jennifer Beals - Claudia
Evan Jones - Martz
Joe Pingue - Hoyt
Frances de la Tour - Martha
Michael Gambon - George
Tom Waits - Engineer
Chris Browning - Hijack Leader








DjTranz's Directorial Review
The Book of Eli

Synopsis: A Lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Action:
• Stunts were great.
• Fight sequence well coordinated.
• Expert firing and shooting scenes.
• Professional blade handling.
• Well controlled explosions.

Camera:
• Very Good angles.
• Non-shaky shots.
• Good P.O.V shots.
• Good Environment picturization.
• Awesome camera technique (During Gatling Gun firing and gun-fights).
• Great close-up to the eyes (When Denzel speaks out the words of bible in the end).
• Must watch the camera movement, when Mila Kunis strangles the man in the car.
• And when Mila Kunis throws the grenade towards the car.

Art:
• Great town settings.
• Beautiful after-world environment.
• Dusty Roads and Deserts.

Sound and Music:
• The Music was touching when they're shaving and cleaning up Denzel (in the end).
• The background music was great; it follows the story strongly.
• The sound effects and music matches the entire story.
• "Just can enjoy the movie, even with our eyes closed" ~ Personal Opinion (DjTranz).
• When Gary Oldman shoots Denzel in the Desert area, the sound tech was awesome.

Story and Storyline:
• Story was strong by nature.
• Great storyline and story-telling.
• Beautiful narration when required.
• Well mannered story telling.
• Beautiful Climax.
• Beautiful ending.
• It was great inner feeling, unexplainable when get know "Eli was Blind" by storyline.


Script and Writing:
• Speechless and uncomment-able.
• Poetic, just like from the bible.
• "It's not just a book."
• "He who holds it can control all."
• Beautiful lines.
• "Ask him, you shall receive" (it was behind television).

Suspense:
• When Denzel starts walking after getting shot.
• When in the end we realize that Denzel was blind all along.
• Final scenes of Gary Oldman trying to open the bible and Denzel start talking about it.

Costume:
• Have to give credits to costume designers.
• A job well done.

Similarities:
• When they're (Danzel & Mila) driving and getting closer to ocean scene; the mountains scene just reminds me personally similar scene from 'Lord of the Rings' (Mountains of Horse lord – Rohan), and also a final scene from Will Smith's 'I Am Legend' ~ Personal Opinion( DjTranz).

Character:
• 'Eli' by Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. – Great and he was born to do this; Superb acting. His objective.
• 'Carnegie' by Gary Leonard Oldman – Great as well. Born to do this role; his trust for books and knowledge.

And success goes to all especially,
• Directors Hughes brothers and the team.
• Denzel.
• Gary Oldman.
• Music.

Poetic Ending; Great Movie; I personally give 'A+' and 9/10.
Sincerely: DjTranz Prabu