The year is 2043 and the world is in total chaos and destruction. People travel from place to place, fending off highway robbers and searching for what little food and water they can find. Eli (Denzel Washington) is a lone wanderer in possession of the last known Bible in existence. With it comes to power to save humanity and rebuild society.

The corrupt Carnegie (Gary Oldman) sees things differently however. When he finds out that Eli is in possession of this "weapon," he will stop at nothing to get it. With it, he plans to control all of society and rebuild it with him at the center. It's the classic standoff between good versus evil, David and Goliath, only this time instead of a little slingshot, David has a three foot knife.

Denzel Washington may be getting old, but he's still got it. Sure he might not be as intense as he was before but there are plenty of action sequences to satisfy the bloodlust in us all. Accompanying him on his venture West is Solara played by Mila Kunis. It's good to see her talk on a more serious role but she's good for eye candy if nothing else. Opposite Washington is Gary Oldman who does a superb job as Carnegie. Whether he plays a good guy or bad guy, Oldman does the role excellently. He's somewhat unrecognizable in the film though. Whether that's due to the makeup or his aging, or a little of both, is beyond me.

Visually, the film begins just as you imagine seeing a post-apocalyptic world, bleak and dreary. Nothing but different shades of gray fill the screen. As the film goes on though, you begin to notice a slight change as color returns to the world. It happens slowly but by the end, you can definitely tell a difference from the beginning. 

The story itself is a little far-fetched at times and bordering on ridiculous even. There are some things that never get explained that probably should although they don't quite ruin the film. There's even a surprise at the ending that will make you do a double take. Even if you're expecting it, you won't figure out what it it. You'd have to go back and see it again to get the full impact, that's for sure.

The Book of Eli is a good blend of action and story in a time where films tend to only do one or the other very well. Things can get a little crazy at times but as they say in the film, you got to take it with a little faith.