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The Book of Eli
The Book of Eli Image
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Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 285 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson
  • Summary: In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America. A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake. It's not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize. Driven by this commitment and guided by his belief in something greater than himself, Eli does what he must to survive--and continue. Eli must keep moving to fulfill his destiny and bring help to a ravaged humanity. Only one other man in this ruined world understands the power Eli holds, and is determined to make it his own: Carnegie. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    The film looks and feels good, and Washington's performance is the more uncanny the more we think back over it. The ending is "flawed," as we critics like to say, but it's so magnificently, shamelessly, implausibly flawed that (a) it breaks apart from the movie and has a life of its own, or (b) at least it avoids being predictable.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    60
    The Hughes Brothers' measured, well-paced direction complements the comic-book simplicity of this narrative.
  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    38
    A didactic and humorless Western, Eli is too laborious for an action film and too brutal to be an inspirational tale.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 124
  3. Negative: 21 out of 124
  1. KeijiM.
    6
    What is really interesting about this movie is the contrasting views on religion(Christianity) as being a dangerous in that people will follow and put too much faith in it(Carnegie's idea). And the other that people need something to have faith in no matter how desperate or bleak the situation(Eli). It gives you something to think about but overall the movie itself is rather slow. The action in the trailers is about all the action you get in the actual movie. really an average movie. not terrible but not a must see.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. grandpajoe6191
    5
    The Hughes Brothers' "The Book of Eli" is a entertaining movie with a solid grim tone and quick, fast paced action. However, it could have done so much more than consistently managing it's apocalyptic mood...… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  3. FelixK.
    2
    The film is a piece of christian propaganda. The twist that happens made every scene before unrealistic. Yes... he is the saviour himself... he can do it... *yawn*.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 124 User Reviews

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