Comments on: The Book of Eli: Soul Power

By: Andrew Stewart

Andrew Stewart — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:48:31 +0000

Saw Book of Eli this weekend, great film. I can’t go too much into it without spoiling it for everyone. I enjoyed the action, the look and the story of this film. It is one of those movies that doesn’t waste time explaining how the world has become a wasteland. Denzel, is well Denzel, does he do bad work? I was a little concerned with Mila Kunis especially after the first few lines she delivered, but she turned it around to be believable. I have seen a lot of references to movies like Mad Max and Waterworld but this movie’s story has much more substance. I can’t go into every little detail without giving away plot details but his redemptive line about carrying the book for so long that he had forgotten to live by its words was the climax of the film and story for me.

By: Joel Try

Joel Try — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:56:54 +0000

Watched this film yesterday with a good friend and both of us truly enjoyed it. I thought it was beautiful to look at, listen to and had a nice pace. I thought both Denzel and Gary Oldman were brilliant. It was a very interesting and fresh twist on an apocalyptic story. I would have liked a few more comedic lines just to help us draw a bit closer to Eli. I also could have done without Solara becoming Tomb Raider ninja girl at the end. But honestly other then those two issues I thought the rest of the movie was wonderful. I do think most of the critics that did not like did so from a point of not being able to connect with the value he (Eli) placed on “the package”. Though it’s 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, some big time critics are among the 50% who like it. So I think if you are on the fence with this film, get off the fence and go see it!

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:21:51 +0000

Upon further reflection this also felt very much like a classic Western with an apocalyptic punch. I really liked it and like it even more after reflecting on it. However, the critics don’t seem to agree. Am I crazy? Do you believe the positive view of faith might be affecting the reviews? What do others of you who have seen it think?

By: Travis

Travis — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:58:49 +0000

Craig, I just returned from seeing this film and I can give it a hearty endorsement. It is a dark, gritty and sometimes bloody movie that is filled with light and hope. It made me think that if you tossed the stories of King David, one of the OT prophets, John the Baptist and Mad Max in a blender it might come out something like this.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a man of faith so positively portrayed on film. For once it was the man without faith who attempted to manipulate the Word of God to his own ends rather than the hypocritical Christian. And we have a respect for Scripture and how it restrains evil and shapes the heart.

Unfortunately, had this film been made by evangelicals I’m afraid it would not have felt so true. The writers and directors made it clear that Scripture and faith can be used either for good or for evil. Many Christians are uncomfortable with that notion and would have removed that aspect from the film.

What we have though, in The Book of Eli is the clear vision that the humble who have “eyes to see” are transformed and shaped by the word of God while those whose hearts are closed become self infected (literally) and end up truly blind and dead.