Book of Eli, The: Q2 Edition

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–

SPOILER WARNING

This is a great fanedit of a really confused film. First, I should give you my opinion on this movie, because it definitely influences my review of the fanedit.

The Book of Eli can’t decide who it wants for an audience. I guess virgin Christian males, 18-30, who like Jesus Metal and violent movies. Sorry, that’s an ad hominem attack, I know. I’m just so troubled by the message of this movie, which depicts the utmost pinnacle of Manichaean good-vs-evil simplicity and violence for its own sake, cloaked in a thin veil of morality (which only exists to permit the violence). That violence is only necessary because the bad guys are just so irredeemably bad, cartoon villains really, and the placid surety of Denzel’s character made him entirely unrelatable as a character. I would have greatly appreciated a little more nuance in the characterizations, maybe had Redridge decided to help Eli, maybe had Eli doubted for one scene. But either action would’ve been too human, not neat and tidy enough for this preachy Gorefest For Christ.

That being said (haha), I thought this was an excellent fanedit that went a long way toward improving the movie by restoring some ambiguity and lightening the heavy touch. Only two things I wish could’ve been different. For one, you left in my least favorite shot in the movie. During the ambush on the old couple’s house, the director suddenly decided he’s David Fincher and flies the virtual camera all over the place. That’s impossible to fix, save the worst shot: when the camera flies out of the house directly at the barrel of that big gun in the truck. It calls so much attention to itself, not least of which is the realization that no bullets are coming out of the gun because they would be hitting the camera. It breaks the fourth wall so hard, in such a negative way, it took me right out of the movie. I was hoping it would be gone here, but alas. My other gripe is probably less easy to fix. The ending is awful. So Eli is divinely lead to restore the KJV to an elitists’ bookshelf?

“Heeey!” said Jesus to his agent. “All these other jabloneys have their books out on Alcatraz Press. Where’s my re-release?”

God leaned back and put his snakeskin boots up on his desk. “Don’t worry, son. I got a guy,”