The Book of Eli

Name: The Book of Eli
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Western
Released: January 15, 2010
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson

2010

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 469 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 469 Ratings

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The Book Of Eli

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: January 15, 2010 | R

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 theIn 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

Director: Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Western

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

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. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Its hero may be on a mission from above, but in a refreshing twist, the fate of mankind rests with the literate. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Pete Hammond

The Book of Eli takes the violent, gritty feel of a spaghetti western, marries it with elements of "The Road," places it in the future and gives it a spiritual twist. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

The movie keeps you watching and generally engaged. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

The Book of Eli's plastic parable isn't much more advanced than "Insane Clown Posse" theology. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

The story requires a greater leap of faith than I was willing or able to muster, since Eli is also a saintly pilgrim on a God-given mission to save a ruined world. Read full review

David Denby

The Book of Eli combines the maximum in hollow piety with remorseless violence. [18 Jan. 2010, p.82]

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User Reviews

Feb 5, 2010

This movie is the greatest, most inspirational movie that I have seen. It completely renewed my faith in movies to see somthing that totally relies on God to make it what it is. I am so proud Denzel for making this movie so that others might see just how important it is to rely on God. I This movie is the greatest, most inspirational movie that I have seen. It completely renewed my faith in movies to see somthing that totally relies on God to make it what it is. I am so proud Denzel for making this movie so that others might see just how important it is to rely on God. I totally give it an A+++.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful

JohnS.

Jan 23, 2010

Excellent movie loved am a christian. Very good moral movie! True measures of a man. If you thought it was horrible you went to see it for the wrong reasons and need to go to church and need a father figure. Walk by faith not by sight as the key lines in the movie say.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Skulltheworld

Aug 5, 2011

This Was A Great Film. The Only Reason I Gave It A 9 Is Because Some Of The Scenes Were A Little Disturbing. Good Storyline. Seems Just Like Fallout 3. But No Mutants. Or Other Assorted Enemies. So Thats Another Reason I Didn't Give It A 10. It Lacked Exciting Enemies Because Carnegie WasntThis Was A Great Film. The Only Reason I Gave It A 9 Is Because Some Of The Scenes Were A Little Disturbing. Good Storyline. Seems Just Like Fallout 3. But No Mutants. Or Other Assorted Enemies. So Thats Another Reason I Didn't Give It A 10. It Lacked Exciting Enemies Because Carnegie Wasnt That Exciting Of An Enemy And When I Watched His Story In The Blu-Ray Speicial Features It Turns Out He Burned His Own House Down Just Because His Dad Caught Him Reading An Inappropriate Magazine. Nice. Still, I Would Have Prefered Some Sort Of Creature In It Other Then Gory Raiders, torturers And Slackers. But Overall, great Movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

TonyF

Jan 18, 2010

I'd read a few of the poor reviews for this movie, and decided to go see it anyway. I'm really glad I did, because it turned out to be great. It seems more and more that the movies that have poor critical reception are really worth seeing, and I'm beginning to think the I'd read a few of the poor reviews for this movie, and decided to go see it anyway. I'm really glad I did, because it turned out to be great. It seems more and more that the movies that have poor critical reception are really worth seeing, and I'm beginning to think the opposite of what the critics recommend. My only complaint is the bleached picture; while it gives the film it's own look and contributes to the apocalyptic feeling, it could have done without since it is somewhat annoying.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

oliver1h

Feb 23, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Decent post-apocalyptic movie. Washington's acting is good, Gary Oldman is so-so as villain (I consider him a real chameleon actor, who can play brilliant villains, but here the character He portrays is somewhat weak). The twist of the movie is totally unrealistic (Yeah I get it, but anyway it is very unrealistic). Overall it worth a look, but that all. Ps: I do not like how American centric the movie was. I am sure there are a lot more Bibles in Europe, that survived, so Eli hardly saved the last remaining one (It might be the last one there, but the world is a lot bigger place than that.),… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

KundK

Aug 27, 2010

The real title should have been "Fallout 4: When Zatoichi Found God and what happened after". Not much. I am a big fan of post-apocalyptic movies but this actively annoyed me most of the time.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Exit_the_limbo

Oct 22, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. An impossibly supernatural blind bad ass with the last bible in a post apocalyptic setting. His ninja like powers come from faith. Nuf' said… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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18	#18 Most Discussed Movie of 2010
67	#67 Most Shared Movie of 2010