You wait ages for one post-apocalyptic vision of despair... and then three come along at once. The Book of Eli might prove as difficult to initially digest as some of the other releases, but it is ultimately just as rewarding.

Opening with a devastatingly bleak sequence where we are introduced to Eli (Washington), the film continues along this very distinctive route from the off, literally. Eli has been walking 'west' for decades and in between hunting for food amongst the scorched Earth around him he takes time out to read a book which he is carrying to an unknown destination. Refusing to be derailed in any way, Eli reluctantly stops over in a small town to recharge his batteries and get moving again. Unfortunately for him the town in question is run by Carnegie (Gary Oldman) who desperately wants to revitalise the dwindling population by finding a book he remembers from the past which can influence people. Unwilling to deal with Carnegie, Eli escapes to continue on his mission with a companion. Solara (Kunis) believes 'the book' belongs out West and so does everything she can to help Eli get there but the doubters are unwilling to let them go so easily.

The book in question is a bible. That's not a spoiler but it is is an important part of the films themes and subtext. Before you start thinking that this is something of an ode to the religious right it's worth noting that the film does indeed provide a balanced view of all things. Just as Eli seems to be a man on a mission, so Carnegie believes he has just as much right to win over the public using the same texts. "The book is a weapon" is the most telling quote and he goes on to tell us how he wants to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

We don't see the catastrophic events that lead to the New World but they are relayed to us in small morsels which unfold at a slow pace which turns out to be to the film's credit. Just like The Road this is not a film about the event itself (like 2012 for example) but rather about the aftermath and how one character in particular has honed himself to cope perfectly with the conditions. Washington plays Eli strictly deadpan but still manages to let us inside the man when necessary. He is uncompromising and righteous (just like Carnegie in many ways) but also manages to convince us that he has found a survival mode in himself that will get him to where he needs to go.

Mila Kunis looks great (it's not her fault that she doesn't look like the sort of girl you would expect to meet in a vision of hell) but her character soon does little more than the standard sidekick routine. As someone who was born into the new world we can't really look to her to act as our eyes and ears in the story so the film struggles to have a singular voice to match it's stylish and distinctive look.

The cues are very much nods to the Western genre. Yes there are other moments where you are reminded of other future Westerns but in reality it looks back in this regard. The introduction is to the 'lone drifter' and we even get him arriving in a quiet town where the bad guys run things as well as a quite brilliant shoot-out in the midst of it. Just like the conventional cowboy, Eli has superior fighting skills be it with a bow and arrow or hand to hand combat. When taken in this regard the films action sequences make a lot more sense.

As the film progresses you realise more about the characters (something that it would be a sin to ruin so we'll stop right there), and the cameos that crop up add to the overall experience no end. It is a film with a message, but never rams it down your throat and keeps you entertained throughout even if it is a touch too long. Based on a graphic novel, The Book of Eli is one of the most challenging and yet rewarding experiences at the cinemas right now.  

Rating: ****

Starring: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, Ray Stevenson and Jennifer Beals
Directors: Allen and Albert Hughes
Written by: Gary Whitta
Certificate: 15
Runtime: 115mins
Release Date: Jan 15th

Review: Cassam Looch

More post-apocalyptic mayhem is available in Carriers, The Road, Daybreakers and Zombieland