'The Book of Eli' Film Review

With films such as 'I Am Legend,' 'The Road' and more recently '2012' captivating audiences, the Hughes brothers picked the end-of-the-world genre to seal their comeback after nearly a decade of hiding.

Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis and Jennifer Beales, 'The Book of Eli' is an action-thriller that will have moviegoers wondering why they spent their hard-earned money on yet another post-apocalyptic fantasy

We are first introduced to Washington's character, Eli, who is referred to as Walker because he's been walking the Earth for the last 30 years after the final war left the world in dust and despair. With a backpack containing a Bible, a machete and a shotgun, Eli is able to survive on his own by killing what animal he finds for nourishment. Wearing dark shades to protect his eyes from the blinding sun, he's heading West, where he believes life can be restored.

As he stops by a town to collect water and materials for his long journey, Eli runs into the local kingpin named Carnegie (Oldman), who's been dispatching every degenerate he can find to search for a book that he feels can fuel his power and influence. With his blind girlfriend, Claudia (Beales), reluctantly serving his needs, Carnegie sends her daughter Solara (Kunis) to spy on Eli.

When Solara returns and accidentally reports to Carnegie that Eli has the Bible he's been seeking, the last one on Earth, all hell breaks loose as the two men play a game of cat and mouse, with Solora choosing to stick with Eli for safety. Not too pleased with Solora's choice is Carnegie's henchman Redridge (Ray Stevenson), who wants Solora for himself.

As Eli and Solora walk the Earth together, they come upon what looks like an abandoned house. When the occupants inside turn out to be reluctant allies, the last stand between Eli and Carnegie turns into the O.K. Corral, as the Bible holds the key to the future.

The problem with the film, besides the religious overtones, is the lack of continuity. From the guys who brought us 'Menace II Society' and 'Dead Presidents,' the Hughes brothers have too many scenes with too few explanations. It's never clear, for example, how Eli is able to walk around with an M3 player if the war occurred nearly three decades ago?

Although Washington is credible in his larger-than-life character, with superhero-like skills that allow him to fend off more than five men at a time, not much is known about him or any of the characters.

Oldman, who plays Commissioner Gordon in the Batman films, is back to playing a mercenary villain with some gusto. While it's not the same intensity he displayed in 'Air Force One' or 'The Professional,' it would have been fun just to hear him say, "Bring me everyone," just once.

Considering it's the end of the world, it's just unbelievable to see Solara walking around town unafraid of anyone and wearing rags that seem to come from Banana Republic.

Not all is lost, though. There is a twist to the film. Unfortunately, though, it can't make up for a big story that falls way short.