Film: The Book of Eli (A)Cast: Denzel WashingtonDirector: Allen Hughes, Albert HughesRating: ** ½These Apocalyptic tales have all become so tiresome. This one is about a post-Apocalypse scenario occurring about 30 years after the final war.A solitary man, Eli (Washington), walks across the American wasteland where there is no law or civilization to speak of. Gangs proliferate and crimes occur every minute of the day.It's hell out there, but Eli wants peace, though he is a Warrior, not by choice, but out of necessity. He guards hope for the future, one that he protected the last 30 years and will continue to do so until he achieves his pre-ordained goals.This is Allen and Albert Hughes's first movie since their take on the graphic novel Jack the Ripper in 2001. It has a similar, heavily stylised narrative, the darkness embodying the fleshed out starkness of the terrain.The visuals have the look we associate with graphic novels. They illuminate the story creditably and, coupled with strong performances, solid camerawork, and editing, provide the tension necessary for the genre. It's well done, but can we just move on, please?

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