The Book of Eli (2010)

"Put that hand on me again, you won't get it back"

Doesn't make sense but it sure is fun.

Denzel Washington plays a man named Eli in post-apocalyptic America, on a 'Mission from God' as the Blues Brothers would say. He's on a journey of faith to deliver a book where it would be of most use, and nothing will get in his way. Because, although he used to work at Wal-Mart, in the past 30 winters since the world as we know it ended, he has become a master swordsman, kung fu expert and tracker.

The film looks great. Photographed using the Red One and bleached to within an inch of its life, it really sells a world after the bomb. It starts well with Denzel wandering on his own, takes a detour for him to charge his beloved ipod! and then has an ending that makes you question everything that has come before it.

But the action is well directed with Denzel doing all his own fighting and the camera staying wide to show him off. Gary Oldman is back as a bad guy for the first time since Lost in Space, but, as a well read and intelligent character, it's a shame that he resorts to mindless violence in order to get a hold of the book Washington is carrying.

The only misstep is the casting of Mila Kunis, who is just too perfect for a time with no shampoo and where water is the most expensive commodity. It would have been interesting to see what Kristen Steward would have done with the role if she didn't have to do that shitty Twilight film instead.

A fun film for the beginning of the year and one that'll leave you thinking at the end of it.

8 out of 10