Of the three post-apocalyptic adventures released over the past year (including "Terminator Salvation" and "The Road"), "The Book of Eli" is easily the best.
The Book of Eli (2010, Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Directors: Albert Hughes Allen Hughes
Producers: Various
Writers: Gary Whitta (written by)
Features: * Maximum Movie Mode * Featurettes * Deleted Scenes * Lost Story Motion Comic * BD-Live * Digital Copy * DVD Copy
Characters:
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
Genre: Action/Adventure
Review:
Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 6/15! http://bit.ly/bRdqNb
THE FILM:
"The Book of Eli" represented one of those rare instances where I actually knew very little about the film going into it. I did know a few things, however. I knew the story took place in a dystopian future ravaged by war. I knew Denzel Washington held his own in a few dusty brawls. I knew the film was from the minds of the men (The Hughes Brothers) who brought us the colorfully zesty comic adaptation, "From Hell."
And I knew, thanks to the rambling of one Rotten Tomatoes critic (who hated the film), that a cat gets killed in the opening credits (it was the focus of his review, and to be honest, he's right, it doesn't really fit with the rest of the narrative). My wife, on the other hand, knew only one element -- the twist.
She had heard about it from a friend, but didn't know it was a twist. No more than ten minutes into the feature, it became obvious this seemingly small little plot point was actually a major plot twist. But, in many ways, knowing the twist actually enhanced my first viewing as it kept me on my toes, looking for clues -- small winks and nods to the film's third act shock.
Much to my surprise, "The Book of Eli" is phenomenal movie that studies the nature of humanity and the raw power of spirituality (in both action and words). It's done in a way we've never really seen in a movie. If you're not one for spiritual journeys, you'll probably be bored, or you'll think the film is being fairly preachy, and it is in spots (though rightfully so). But, there's such an incredible subtext alive within this narrative -- it's hard to pass up.
The plot is simple -- a drifter (Washington) attempts to find a home for a special book he has in his possession while a villainous conman (Oldman) hunts him hoping to get the book for himself. Along the way, our drifter (named Eli) stumbles into a small run down town and befriends a young girl named Solara (Kunis) who follows Eli on his path.
Of the three post-apocalyptic adventures released over the past year (including "Terminator Salvation" and "The Road"), "The Book of Eli" is easily the best. It's immersive, enthralling and always profoundly entertaining (not to mention spiritually uplifting). Production design is incredible. The film's gritty, sandy atmosphere is unsettling, but exhilarating (it really does look like panels from a graphic novel). The action sequences are jaw-droppingly wonderful, both stylized and easy to see (wide angle shots make for a more engaging collection of battles). And the performances are top notch. Gary Oldman is just outstanding as Eli's nemesis, a ruthless conman and dictator named Carnegie. Oldman pours on the layers creating a wonderfully three-dimensional character that feels as though he's always existed. Denzel keeps up with Oldman with his mysterious Eli, and Mila Kunis delivers the best performance of her career.
"The Book of Eli" won't suit everyone's tastes. It can get a little gory at times, and it's central conceit might not sit well with some audiences, but there's much to love about this profoundly impacting slice of hardcore genre filmmaking. Kudos to the Hughes Brothers for delivering an uncompromising vision of a post-apocalyptic future where hope is just one book away and spirituality is beautifully alive.
Film Report Card:
Entertainment Value: A
Film Value: A
Final Grade:
A
Enjoy a clip from the film:
THE BLU-RAY:
Video:
"The Book of Eli" is presented in 2.40:1 widescreen using the VC-1 codec on a dual-layered BD50 disc. Be prepared for a heavily stylized, desaturated, gritty, grainy experience. Colors are intentionally muted and drab -- a pasty spray of brown, yellow and beige hues dominate the entire presentation. Contrast is a touch hot during daytime sequences -- likely a stylistic choice. Textures, details, blacks and shadows are spot-on though. The print is free of dust and dirt and the encode appears to be virtually flawless, with only a slight hint of noise.
Each frame of this film looks like a comic panel, and as such, the visual aesthetic isn't always appealing from a reference Blu-ray standard. But as a work of art, this transfer delivers in spades.
Audio:
Audio choices are English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1 with Spanish and French subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired. Warner delivers another knockout, immersive listening experience that takes the viewer deep within the film's atmospheric setting. While a few indoor sequences feel a touch inorganic, with oddly tinny dialogue (Eli's stay at Carnegie's hotel, for example), the sonics are aggressive and engaging throughout. The action features a perfect blend of front and rear surrounds mixed with meaty, room-shaking bass. If you're in the market for a test disc, you should consider this mix.
Extras and Packaging:
The BD copy of the film, provided from Warner, came packed in a blue elite two-disc BD case with the film’s theatrical artwork. Extras included on both the DVD and Blu-ray are a bit scant, but Warner offers up several exclusives to sweeten the pot for Blu-ray owners.
• The Lost Tale: Billy (5 minutes, HD) -- A motion comic back-story for Gary Oldman's Carnegie. Wish there was more here, and I wish this could have been incorporated into the film. It's brief, but well worth a look.
• Deleted Scenes (2 minutes, HD) -- Nothing really here worth looking at. The best deleted scene is an alternate ending for Carnegie.
BD-Exclusive Content:
• Maximum Movie Mode (HD) -- Explore the film even further in this PiP feature similar to the ones found on "Terminator Salvation" and "Watchmen." The feature is complete with 34-minute of Focus Points which are accessible separately. While I do really appreciate this feature, pairing it with an audio commentary would really be best.
• Featurette: Eli's Journey (18 minutes, HD) -- A terrific look at how society would act in the face of the apocalypse, and how these themes were worked into the narrative.
• Featurette: The of Eli Soundtrack (5 minutes, HD) -- A brief, but informative discussion with co-director Allen Hughes and composer Atticus Ross.
• Featurette: Starting Over (13 minutes, HD) -- A slightly more insightful promotional featurette than what I expected. The cast and crew also share their thoughts on the film's deeper meanings.
• BD-Live
• Digital Copy and DVD Copy (Disc Two, SD)
Final Thoughts:
If you're looking for a thoughtful (and spiritually uplifting) dystopian adventure, check out "The Book of Eli." Pair it with "The Road" and "Terminator Salvation" for a night of post-apocalyptic mayhem.
Blu-ray Report Card:
Video: A
Audio: A
Extras: D
HD Content: B
Packaging: A
Recommendation: Worth owning.
***
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----R. L. Shaffer