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 452 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 452 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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Awards & Rankings

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

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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

JoelC

Jan 24, 2010

Wow... Just WOW! Ok so this movie will not be widely accepted or exalted due to its highly religious theme and message. It is not a universal religious theme such as 2012 that calls for various interpretations, and it is not as candy coated or indirect as Narnia's Christian message... Wow... Just WOW! Ok so this movie will not be widely accepted or exalted due to its highly religious theme and message. It is not a universal religious theme such as 2012 that calls for various interpretations, and it is not as candy coated or indirect as Narnia's Christian message... it is a movie which, consciously or unconsciously, sends a crystal clear message to any believer that sees it. So bottom line... it will be criticized by any non-believer as a stupid film, and exalted by any devoted follower of Christ. If you are a believer I invite you to listen carefully to every word in this movie from both the main character and the villain... and also the meaning beyond the movie in terms of the writer's intentions, or lack of, and connect it to scripture. If you are a believer wanting to follow in God's path in order to fulfill His purpose, be ready to hear a message that will minister to your life as a Christian... whether it be a message of hope or enlightenment.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

oblique15

Sep 14, 2013

I love this movie, and the Main character.The Shades he wears fit him, cause hes mysterious, and makes everybody wonder what hes about, and capable of. It`s a dark world and to get by you better be prepared to defend you`re self. The movie gets deep with the Main Character Faith.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

IvanD.

Jan 20, 2010

I'm extremely agnostic, but I really don't care how much religion the movie had. I have as much believe in Christianity, as I do the Lord of the Rings. Alls I can tell you is that the action was tight, and the acting was expectable. The plot twist at the end only made me wonder I'm extremely agnostic, but I really don't care how much religion the movie had. I have as much believe in Christianity, as I do the Lord of the Rings. Alls I can tell you is that the action was tight, and the acting was expectable. The plot twist at the end only made me wonder how blind he was (there are varying levels).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KeijiM.

Jan 31, 2010

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 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

2 of 2 users found this helpful

JohnS

Jan 16, 2010

This movie had many good elements, but I found myself bored several times. My girlfriend went to sleep at one point. We agreed the best part for us was when a viewer got ejected from the theater for cursing at what they thought was a lame story. If you see this, see it at a theater it will This movie had many good elements, but I found myself bored several times. My girlfriend went to sleep at one point. We agreed the best part for us was when a viewer got ejected from the theater for cursing at what they thought was a lame story. If you see this, see it at a theater it will be worse on TV.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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 0 users found this helpful00

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