Book of Eli, The: Q2 Edition

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9.4 (7)
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7 reviews
 
71%
 
29%
5-7 stars
 
0%
3-5 stars
 
0%
1-3 stars
 
0%
Overall rating
 
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.5(4)
Audio Editing
 
9.5(4)
Visual Editing
 
9.5(4)
Narrative
 
9.7(3)
Enjoyment
 
8.6(7)
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(Updated: September 20, 2012)
Overall rating
 
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
8.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
A truly classic example of simple, but effective editing. This has replaced the original in my collection.

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Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
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Overall rating
 
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

I was not aware (until shortly after the film came out) that this was inspired by a graphic novel. I was also unaware of the film's plot. I saw the trailer once or twice (and being a fan of post apoc material it got my attention). It was not until I finally saw the film (dvd) that everything fell into place and despite some of the film's overtones I think overall the feature worked well and I enjoyed it quite a bit (I would even go as far as saying I would love to see a super long extended cut of this someday, which some of the dvd's deleted scenes suggest). Naturally when Thunderclap then gave us an edit of a film I thought was fine to begin with I had to check it out.

I really do not want to spoil anything and it makes writing up this very short review a bit more difficult. However I can break it down like this. The edit moves very smoothly along. I also did not miss anything he removed. In fact the film now has stronger pacing and I do prefer this over the original. The original's twist ending is gone and though I liked that removal, Thunderclap's fixing of this twist did not ruin the film and as he mentioned gives it a more realistic feel (no "supernatural overtone"). It worked well. He also ended this film where it should have (the original gave us what you thought was an ending only to extend it for another, not terrible at all, but not really needed scene).

Video, editing and audio were all a 9+ with no issues that I could notice. He also gives us an optional text commentary which I need to watch next.

My only real gripe is the film having no chapter stops at all

All in all if you did like the original I have a strong feeling you will enjoy this as well, and by the same merit if you did not like the original you might find this version to be a bit of fresh air

9 stars–
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Overall rating
 
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
"God is good, is he not?"
"All the time."

This starts off as "Everyone wants to kill Denzel Washington: The Movie" but ends up being a suprisingly good film with a lot of heart.

Editing was almost technically flawless, I only noticed one transition. Narratively very strong too, I couldn't tell what had been cut. The video file was only 1.5GB but still looked excellent, audio was a little murky but mostly fine.

I very much enjoyed this. It's not a great film by any stretch, but still superior to most of what Hollywood pumps out nowadays. Q2 has significantly streamlined the film by removing the irrelevant sideplots and reworking the ending, leaving behind a superior version. This'll be my go-to if I watch this again.
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Overall rating
 
8.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
9.0
Enjoyment
 
6.0
Firstly, I'll say this undoubtedly improves on the movie by favoring a streamlined narrative over the longer running time. It still can't make this into an action film though, which is its strength. The decision to remove basically the central plot point (not fully shown until the end of the film) is probably a smart one. However, it removes just about the only interesting thing in the movie.

The film looks washed out (no fault of the editor) and the score might be the least interesting thing Atticus Ross has ever done. The performances are generally good, but the basic plot is just too simple and uninvolving. Despite reworking the narrative, I still just can't think of a reason to watch this movie when the Mad Max series exists, much less others. The reworking of the narrative does also leave a few scenes feeling a bit abrupt, too.

Technically very well done, but sadly just can't turn a lackluster movie into a good one. Unless you're profoundly Christian, I guess, then have at it.
Full review of the regular film here, if anyone's interested: https://letterboxd.com/nottheacademy/film/the-book-of-eli/

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Yes
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Digital
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