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Year Released 2008
Duration 92
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Hancock
Editorial ReviewMovie Summary
Movie Genre:
Comedy
Rated:
M
Director:
Peter Berg
Starring:
Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Will Smith
Editorial Review
Will Smith as a sloshed superhero with more self-loathing than a speeding bullet? A blockbuster-in-waiting which mixes handheld dramatics and whale-tossing spectacle as it aims to rib and praise comic-book crime-fighters on screen? Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron as sidekicks to Smith's anti-hero antics? Sure. Sign us up.
After last year's abysmal The Kingdom, actor-turned-director-on-the-verge Peter Berg's next feature sounded way more enticing. While it lands some blows in the phwoar and awwww stakes, impressive gamble Hancock attempts too much, doesn't know how to combine it all, and withholds the sucker-punches you'd think it would bring.
Don't freak out, though. Hancock remains a watchable odd bod among better-known competitors. Written for the screen, Hancock has Smith as the titular hero who only saves Los Angelesians because he's the only guy around with super powers. Bitter and boozy about enforced responsibility, could-care-less Hancock's methods are so enormously destructive that he's reviled more than revered.
With Hancock's angst firmly established by a gritty, kinetic freeway chase that exemplifies the good and coarse of the suspect/stylised special effects on show, Berg and screenwriters Vince Gilligan and Vincent Ngo are harder pressed to elaborate. Smith has the hobo charm to hold us and keep us, but the promise of getting into the suit (ahem) of a reluctant superhero is skirted around, rather than unpacked and detailed.
Hancock's turmoil remains one-note as he saves nice PR guy Ray (Jason Bateman, stuck in first gear) and then agrees to follow Ray's strategy for redemption and public acclaim. When Ray's trophy wife Mary (Charlize Theron) catches Hancock's eye, the entire film takes an abrupt leap into a sensational (in all senses) second half which isn't as amazing as it thinks it is. Perhaps Hancock 2 will lay a smackdown of blockbuster ball-tearing and psychological profiling.
A sharp change in tone, mixed with uneven spectacle and intimacy, deflate a decent comic-book enterprise.
Ben McEachen
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10 comments
MC MAXO: Funny! Will Smith is one of my favourite actors (17 August 2008)
Guy: Seemed rather like a prequel. 15 mins of cool stuff in 90 mins. Possibly it's our own fault though, we would flock to watch Will Smith recite Vogon poetry. If we were more discerning perhaps Hollywood would be too. (05 August 2008)
Blonde: Hancock showed lots of promise. The first half was good but this was followed by a soppy, soft ending which spoilt the the movie. There are plenty of better choices for a night of entertainment. (21 July 2008)
beautiful: This movie was awesome and funny as. Go Hancock!!!!! (17 July 2008)
scizza mun: I loved it! It was one of the best movies I've ever seen! The trick is ignore all the plot holes and just get lost in all the action and awesomeness... (12 July 2008)
hanshclock: Words are only wasted trying to describe how bad this film is. Boycott it. (07 July 2008)
David: Harry, I know what you mean. Is Gen Y so obsessed with being somewhere else that they sit through movies with their phone on, sending text messages, browsing the web and even talking - avoid suburban cinemas. I digress, I didn't know what to expect when watching Hancock, but it looks great (as does Charlize). The first half is the best, then it takes a twist, that's interesting. Only challenge was it followed previews for the new Batman and Bond flicks - they look much better! (07 July 2008)
Mark: I can understand some of the mixed reviews for Hancock. While the first half was great as highlighted by the trailers, the second half lost me. A few of the plot elements towards the end seemed very rushed and half-baked. Theron for me was unconvincing as Mary too. Not nearly as spectacular as Iron Man, which is the current benchmark for this genre at the moment. (07 July 2008)
Harrianna: I REALLY dislike Hancock a lot! (06 July 2008)
Harry Georgatos: I can't understand all the mixed reviews for Hancock. I had a good time watching this reinvention of the superhero genre. This is a movie that moves at an entertaining pace, and to a certain extent subverts the comic book formula. The plot twist in the second half of the film has been critized by many. The twist I somewhat expected but added to the mythology and backstory of Hancock. The only problem with the movie was that it didn't have an overpowering villian to match wits with Hancock. It may not be IRONMAN or THE DARK KNIGHT, but I had a good time watching this movie. My only problem was that I was stuck with "Lord Of Flies" teenagers at the Greater Union Burwood Cinema. It was an actual warzone in that auditorium. If I had my way I'll put most of them in a Robert Mugabe torture camp. That's where they belong. (04 July 2008)
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