The Book of Eli review

Denzel Washington returns to badass form as Eli, a lone warrior who holds the key to finally pull the world out of the post apocolyptic world it's because. As he strives to achieve his goal, he discovers that one man will threaten his quest for his own personal gain. It's Eli's job to protect the Book that will save Earth.
While the film almost feels preachy in its message (the whole film has religious undertones) and the multiple slow mo shots of Denzel, Gary Oldman (who plays lead villain Carnegie with ferocity and glee) and Mila Kunis (I'm not complaining there) become very distracting, and just add to the cliches that are so apparent throughout The Book of Eli. Yet surprisingly for this type of picture, the acting is what stands out most. Oldman and Kunis provide solid strength, whilst Washington recovers from the disappointing The Taking of Pelham 123 with an impressive performance as Eli. He may kick the hell out of anyone who gets in his way, but all the emotions are broadcast on his face; fear, pain, anger. The film itseslf has real heart, and is all the more enjoyable for it. Albert and Allen Hughes direct with supreme imagination. Every action sequence has been thought through really well, adding their familiar, stylised violence to proceedings, like they did with their gory 2001 Johnny Depp starrer, From Hell. The script isn't as risible as say 2012, but this isn't The Road. The cliches can be seen a mile off, and the inspirational speeches are present and correct too. This is still hugely enjoyable though, and a definite cinema experience, but don't go in expecting an Oscar calibre picture.
OVERALL GRADE: 7/10