Hancock isn't for everyone, and already seems to be dividing critics (most are leaning towards "bad"). I've often said that mainstream critics seem to have a herd mentality, so they can't necessarily be trusted every time. Sometimes I wonder if critics will write a negative or positive review of a movie just because it's the general consensus. Nobody wants to be the lone voice saying "I disagree, " and professionally, being the one guy who loved Lady in the Water could kill a career. As well, I'd chalk this one up to the generation gap. I hate to sound "age-ist," but the average age for critics of major publications probably isn't anywhere near 20-30, which (besides teenage males) is the likely demographic for this film. For what it is, I think Hancock was pretty fun.
Hancock is a comic book movie that isn't based on a comic book, but has all the trappings. Will Smith, who almost always brings his A-game, plays John Hancock, a hard-living guy who just happens to have super powers. He's a socially inept alcoholic with no respect for, well, anyone, and he spends his spare time preventing crime and causing a whole lot of damage in his wake. Jason Bateman, always one to grab a good "nice guy" role, plays Ray, a PR guy. His life is saved by Hancock, and to pay him back, he decides to save Hancock's life, or at least his reputation. The hope is that Hancock may learn to be a better person, and/or find happiness.
Another notable character is Ray's wife (Charlize Theron), who makes eye contact with Hancock in practically every scene they share. We're led to believe she may have an affair with him, though the repercussions of the aforementioned eye lock are much more interesting and surprising.
The film's premise is unique in that it tries to look at the consequences that super heroes would have to face if their exploits were real. That's not to say the movie is realistic, because it isn't. It is ripe with comic book logic, but with a real world twist. Hancock, after years of serving his community, is forced to accept the consequences of all of the damage he's caused. As the film continues, we learn about Hancock's past and origins, about the possibilities of others like him, and we start to wonder if his behavior is nothing more than a front.
The negative press this film is receiving is likely partially because the film is very rough around the edges. Some sight gags and punchlines fall completely flat, and lean towards the scatological rather than the truly clever, but as far as "gross-out" gags go, this film is very light on them considering the average comedy's tendency to use them as a crutch. The "rules" of Hancock's super powers and origins are a little sketchy, particularly towards the climax of the film. They work if you don't think about it. As well, Jason Bateman seems completely one-dimensional (his only emotion is "heart of gold").
Hancock, despite all of this, is great fun. Unlike previous summer romps like Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, it doesn't rely entirely on a tried and true formula. Some of the film's events can be seen coming a mile away, but for the most part it's unpredictable and keeps the audience guessing (and therefore invested in the story). As well, Will Smith is great in the title role, and keeps us entertained even when the (generally fast paced) storyline is taking a break. I think he's truly under appreciated as an actor. Though he started on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and has mostly done nothing but standard blockbusters and popcorn films, the man has more talent than anybody gives him credit for.
If you're looking for good summer fun, this is definitely a contender (though there's been no shortage of films that fit the bill this summer). It is a fun, clever, and above all, unique romp. If you're looking for a great movie, this is probably not the one for you. It will never win an Oscar, and probably won't win any sort of award, unless the vitriol that the press is spewing leads to Razzie nominations.
There is virtually nothing wrong with this movie. The plot was pretty much unpredictable, the acting was great (with a special mention awarded to Jason Bateman), and the premise was fantastic. The editting appeared faultless and the atmosphere held strong.
A superhero comedy that makes for good fun light entertainment thanks to the Will Smith's charisma. Could have been better but then again this was never meant to be a classic.
I didn't see this one at the cinema and didn't have any huge burning desire to seek it out, but tonight when I watched it I was pleasantly surprised. It's an enjoyable story, and has a quite clever concept. Definitely worth watching.
I don't know. I didn't exactly connect with this movie. They went in kind of an odd direction. Will Smith is a great actor and I'm very pleased that he didn't just play Will Smith with super powers. There was quality Will Smith acting here, but certain elements didn't quite land. It's not that I didn't like it. In fact, parts of it I really liked. But, I don't know...
Sadly, not one of Will Smith's better movies. There were some very entertaining parts...but I think it could have better than what it was. The thing I liked the most was seeing the outrageously comical situations that Hancock would get into and how the public despised him.
I can name about three superhero movies that are worst than Hancock off the top of my head. Batman & Robin, Elektra, and Catwoman are definitely some of the worst the genre has to offer. Hancock, however, could serve as the face of what happens when a serious lack of imagination can cripple even the most epic of ambitions.
The movie begins with Will Smith, at his most listless. as Hancock, basically a lush version of Superman, who halfheartedly saves the day with a devil-may-care attitude. Smith starts out well enough. He communicates Hancock's bum life-_disabled effectively and manages to bring something underneath that makes him interesting. When he meets PR Ray Embrey, after saving him from a one-on-one meeting with an oncoming train, I could telegraph where the story was heading, as Hancock battles his public image and tries to change himself into a better person. Its not a particularly new story, but its really heaps better than what the filmmakers decided to go with.
I would really love to get into whats really wrong with what transpires in the second half, that turns Hancock from an okay, if not really great, movie, to an outright disaster, but it would be drowning in spoilers. I will say that the entirety of Charlize Theron's presence is annoying and vapid, and it gets worse as it trudges along. Whats also a problem is its action. For a blockbuster type film, its relatively light on action or thrills. A lot of the special effects are covered up in really cheap ways (clouds of dust, annoying camera angles, etc.). Its worse when they actually decide to show some of f/x. In one huge battle that goes through the streets of LA, a lot of piss poor dark blue atmospherics are slapped on, almost out of convenience than anything else, and awkwardly CGIed tornadoes (just try and wrap your head around that one).
The story is a wash, mainly at first because its execution is more than little sophomoric, and then because it becomes way too self important, making this oddness truly ridiculous. If it had stuck with one idea it would've been nice, but it tries to cram in too many vague, uninteresting ideas with nowhere to go and nothing to show for it. Its hard to believe that managed to rope in Will Smith and Charlize Theron for this. Both are fine actors who deserve better. Smith, unfortunately, is uncomfortable with the role and is struggling to find the right tone for his character, mainly because the script just doesn't know what it wants to do. Theron's character is awful, vapid and many other bad adjectives that doesn't need much repeating. Jason Bateman tries to save it, but he gets a major shove into passivity after the first half, abandoned by a script that doesn't really know what it is. Its far from his impressive performances in The Kingdom and Juno. He deserved better.
It's really hard to recommend Hancock. Even its relatively enjoyable first half is littered with bad music cues and half-hearted CGI that doesn't really gel effectively. The script's utter lack of coherency and depth negates the epic undercurrents Hancock would have had it been executed better. What's there instead is a poorly acted, poorly directed, and poorly written trash that had so much potential. What a disappointment.
This is very funny! There were times when the graphics were a little to close up for me and I got a bit confused on what, exactly, I was seeing. All in all a good movie- but beware there's a twist to the ending!
Wildly uneven, with an ending that was obviously tacked on after test screenings. Silly, convoluted, overlong. Smith's charm can only go so far, apparently.
I thought it's gonna be a action movie but in the end it's a drama kinda movie. the chemistry between will and charlize is soo not there, just make the movie even more boring.
What an absolute belter of a movie. No where near your usual superhero movie claptrap. This antihero has fallen on hard times, drinks too much and doesnt care about him himself or anyone else (too much) anymore. Will Smith is a great actor and plays the part of the heartbroken and lonely hero brilliantly.
Nice treatment of the superhero idea. Down in the dumps, boozing heavily, dressing badly, saving people and fighting crime. My favorite bit was when the train ran into Hancock and it instantly stopped. Really good special effects and a welcome relief from the usual superguy movie.
it was soo good that tears ran down my face in some scenes... effing amazing special effects! Will Smith and Charlize Theron are remarkable! one of the best movies I've seen all year!
One of Will Smith's BEST EVER.. it follows suit with every awesome movie we always come to expect from Will Smith, and are never disappointed.. my kids and I have been watching this one over and over lately.. if you haven't seen it yet, WHY NOT?? YOU'RE MISSING A GREAT FLICK!
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