Has anyone seen "The Book of Eli"?

I was wondering if anyone has seen this movie and what their opinions of it were. I haven't seen it myself but a buddy of mine is getting stir crazy after being laid off a few weeks ago and needs a night out. Thanks.

It was BY FAR the worst movie I have ever seen! There is a cat killed within the first 2 minutes which set me off right there, but beyond that I still hated the movie. There were a few bloody scenes which were amusing, but all in all a complete waste of time.

It was OK, not horrible, but not great. Really not all that action-y and even a little slow at some point. More of a renter, IMO.

I was NOT impressed with the cat slaying in the first 5 minutes. And then I watched the Medium from Friday night and there was another cat slaying in the first 5 minutes. GAH!

Aside from him killing the cat (people in end-of-the-world situations have to survive somehow, I suppose) I absolutely loved this movie, in fact it is one of my favorite movies. I though it was incredible. The ending even made me cry. That being said I'm a huge fan of post-apocalyptic fiction and films and I enjoy pretty much every movie I see (with a few exceptions). It is violent and pretty gory, which is a plus for me generally I thought it was a great story and that Denzel Washington did an incredible job at bringing the character to life. I should probably stress that the post-apocalyptic genre is my absolute favorite, so that probably colors my opinion a bit. I can't wait to buy this movie when it comes out on DVD.

BIL saw is and hated it, too. I told him the name of the movie and themes should have warned him. There's actually been more comedies out lately that look reasonably bearable.

I read the spoilers and so I know exactly how the plot goes, and I'm glad because it sounds like something I'd never want to watch so I didn't waste $ on it.
The preview doesn't make it seem too bad though so I would have seen it had I not known.

If I had read the spoilers I wouldn't wanna watch it I can't even read reviews because they spoil too many plot details.

I haven't seen it but have a few friends who said it was terrible.

I loved it Hubby did too, it is very touching.

The people that complain about the cat being killed are too sensitive..it is a movie, and the cat isn't killed for pleasure.

A friend at work suggested I NOT see it because of the torture and killing of a cat right in the beginning of the movie. So no matter how good the rest of the movie may have been--I would have walked out.

No use for animal abuse. I'm glad I was forewarned the cat killing because DH and I wanted to see the movie. I can find much more worthwhile things to occupy my time. Thanks for letting me know.

I absolutely hated the first 5 minutes of the movie. I had to close my eyes and plug my ears. It really bothered me about the cat and I just couldn't watch and I've never really considered myself all that sensitive.

I still don't understand why it had to be a cat??? Why not a small sheep, goat, deer or anything but a cat.

I did enjoy the movie though.

Originally Posted by snosrap5

I absolutely hated the first 5 minutes of the movie. I had to close my eyes and plug my ears. It really bothered me about the cat and I just couldn't watch and I've never really considered myself all that sensitive.

I still don't understand why it had to be a cat??? Why not a small sheep, goat, deer or anything but a cat.

I did enjoy the movie though.

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I don't consider myself sensitve either; I mean, I've mopped up blood and cleaned a man's leg after a chainsaw injury. And lots of other stuff not for the faint of heart.

Even though I know it's just a movie, I can't watch animal abuse. The kitten scene ruined "American Pyscho" for me and IMO it was a great movie up until that point.

I agree. I have a really strong stomach for everything except animal cruelty. In the movies I just don't see any reason why there would be any place for it. I've had alittle medical training and I've seen autopsies but when I watch Animal Planet I always have my finger on the remote just in case something sad comes on.

There is no cat torture and no animal cruelty, it's the end of the world and he had to eat what was available to him. There were no goats, pigs, or whatever, walking around in an area covered in fall-out ash. No one has complained about what the cat was eating!

Originally Posted by esrgirl

There is no cat torture and no animal cruelty, it's the end of the world and he had to eat what was available to him. There were no goats, pigs, or whatever, walking around in an area covered in fall-out ash. No one has complained about what the cat was eating!

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I understand what you're saying, I didn't consider it animal cruelty or even torture. I just didn't like that it was a cat. I get that he needed to eat and it's the end of the world and all. For me it was all about the cat. If I loved pigs as much as I love cats and they had used a pig instead of
a cat I would have had the same feelings about them using a pig.

Oh and as far as what the cat was eating, the guy was dead. The cat didn't kill the guy and then proceed to eat it. To me, you can't compare the two.

Originally Posted by snosrap5

I understand what you're saying, I didn't consider it animal cruelty or even torture. I just didn't like that it was a cat. I get that he needed to eat and it's the end of the world and all. For me it was all about the cat. If I loved pigs as much as I love cats and they had used a pig instead of
a cat I would have had the same feelings about them using a pig.

Oh and as far as what the cat was eating, the guy was dead. The cat didn't kill the guy and then proceed to eat it. To me, you can't compare the two.

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Has anyone ever watched "Life After People" on the History Channel? I think the reason a cat was chosen was because a cat would have a better chance of surviving without human help than other domesticated animals like cows, goats, pigs, and "helper" animals like seeing eye dogs.

Do I like that it was cat being portrayed as killed and eaten? No, but that alone wouldn't be the determining factor on whether or not I like the movie. Speaking of the movie, we aren't going. We both decided there isn't anything worth plopping down the money to go and see- going to get some grub and catch up instead.

Thanks for the replies.

I LOVED the movie. I was not expecting to have a Christian theme though. And a Christian theme in a post apocalyptic movie nonetheless... Very interesting take on the genre. I thought it was very well done and I was not expecting the secret of Eli at the end either

Originally Posted by ScottF

I was not expecting to have a Christian theme though.

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You're kidding, right? I'm not Christian, but even I knew who Eli (El) was.

This is one movie that I will probably never see. Almost every single movie with a Christian theme that I have seen, I have hated. So I'm not even going to waste my money on this one. And from what I hear, it's full of huge plot holes that you could drive a truck through.