Rated R for some brutal violence and language.
Directed by The Hughes Brothers (Menace to Society, Dead Presidents…)
Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman…
Probably one of the best films I’ve seen in the last decade!
30 winters after “the flash” (total nuclear destruction of the known world) a solitary man roams across the desolate wasteland that was once America. Food is scarce and water is worth more than gold. The few humans that remain barter for clothes, shoes, wet wipes, or luxuries like shampoo.
Eli (Denzel) heads West on a mission, carrying with him a possession prized by many in this post-apocalyptic wasteland—a Bible. His purpose is peaceful, but his attackers are cut down if they cross him.
The film was truly amazing! It captured me in the first minute and kept me until the final reveal, a twist that rivaled that of The Sixth Sense. (Note: don’t talk to ANYONE about this film—you don’t want them to tell you that Rosebud is the sled.)
This movie had literally everything I wanted in a film:
Original: The script was fresh and new, not predictable in any way. The Hughes brothers painted a masterful desolate, post-nuclear landscape in a way we haven’t seen since The Road Warrior, but in no way copying or rehashing that film.
Likable Characters: Our hero is noble, honest… and a master at hand to hand combat, swordplay and shooting. This is a man who read the Bible every day. I was waiting for them to show him curse, sleep with a girl, inflict revenge…but he never strayed from his path. True to the end. The antagonist, played by one of the best “villain” actors—Gary Oldman, was as ruthless as he was cunning.
Action: On several occasions our hero faced adversity typical of what you’d expect from a land run by callous scavengers and raiders. Eli, like a “Kwai Chang Caine,” never engaged unless engaged upon. These scenes were masterfully shot…literally some of the best I’ve seen since 300. For example, in one scene we simply see his silhouette. One shot as his silhouette defends himself against his attackers. Brilliant scene. We later see some great gun battles with creative, but never distracting cinematography. The violence is swift, harsh, real, but never gratuitous.
I liked this movie on so many levels.
As a Christian and a believer of the Bible, I can’t help but like the stand the filmmakers took with this movie. The whole story is about the pursuit of this “last copy” of the Bible. Oldman’s character gave an entire speech about the book’s power, and its ability to change people. And Eli obviously took the words to heart, often quoting passages, and even reflecting on his own actions at one point in the film saying, “I’ve spent so long protecting this book, I almost forgot to live by it.”
A truly brilliant film.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The film definitely earns its R-rating with violence. Even though it’s never gratuitous, it’s probably too much for young viewers. There is no sex or sexuality of any kind. At one point in the film we see some scavenger-raiders brutally attack a couple on the road in the distance. It is inferred that she is raped, although we don’t see it. But we see partially nude figures lying on the road later.
The theme of the film is incredibly noble and the film almost never swayed from portraying the Bible as one of the most powerful books of all time. I only saw one scene, literally about 5 seconds, that gave a proverbial “politically correct” nod to other religions. Pretty amazing for these times.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
