2008 Woodie Awards
Nothing heroic about 'Hancock'
Tyler Thomas
Issue date: 7/7/08 Section: Arts & Life
Few actors in the movie industry today are as dependable as Will Smith. As an actor, he's proven he can handle serious roles in "Ali," comedic roles in "Men in Black," and awful sequels like "Men in Black 2." So, with his latest endeavor, "Hancock," can he take audiences by storm as a super hero who has a few problems to deal with? Or is this a complete misfire for the accomplished actor?
Directed by Peter Berg, the movie has a different tone from the other superhero flicks that have been pummeling the box office for the past few months. The movie isn't a family style movie like "Iron Man," which sets it apart from being the great movie it could have been. It is a definite misfire for Berg in his first major directing role and perhaps a damaging blow to Smith's career as well.
John Hancock (Will Smith) is not your usual super hero. He's a drunk, destroys vehicles and demolishes buildings while trying to catch criminals fleeing the scene. It's obvious he has a major drinking problem, as well as a few other emotional baggage issues. He is considered an outcast by the people of Los Angeles, and it seems like he causes more damage than anything else.
However, things all change for the drunken superhero when he saves Ray (Jason Bateman) from being run over by a train. Ray is an unsuccessful publicist with a big heart who wants to turn Hancock's life around for the better. Little does Ray know that Hancock is going to be the world's worst person to work with, as the superhero doesn't feel he needs to change his lifestyle.
Ray invites Hancock over to his place, where Hancock meets Mary (Charlize Theron), Ray's wife. Immediately there is tension in the air leaving the audience in for quite a surprise later in the movie.
The next day, a warrant is issued for Hancock's arrest, and his newly hired publicist Ray urges Hancock to turn himself in with the hope of cleaning up the troubled hero's image. Hancock gives in and soon is off to jail. Yes, a superhero who puts the criminals in jail is now there with them. Clocking in at nearly 90 minutes, the movie is too short to accomplish anything that leaves the viewer wanting more. Hancock has most of the lines for the flick, but he rarely has any that give the audience laughter. Mary's character is also fairly boring, and even when you learn more about her as the movie progresses, it's not very interesting.
Directed by Peter Berg, the movie has a different tone from the other superhero flicks that have been pummeling the box office for the past few months. The movie isn't a family style movie like "Iron Man," which sets it apart from being the great movie it could have been. It is a definite misfire for Berg in his first major directing role and perhaps a damaging blow to Smith's career as well.
John Hancock (Will Smith) is not your usual super hero. He's a drunk, destroys vehicles and demolishes buildings while trying to catch criminals fleeing the scene. It's obvious he has a major drinking problem, as well as a few other emotional baggage issues. He is considered an outcast by the people of Los Angeles, and it seems like he causes more damage than anything else.
However, things all change for the drunken superhero when he saves Ray (Jason Bateman) from being run over by a train. Ray is an unsuccessful publicist with a big heart who wants to turn Hancock's life around for the better. Little does Ray know that Hancock is going to be the world's worst person to work with, as the superhero doesn't feel he needs to change his lifestyle.
Ray invites Hancock over to his place, where Hancock meets Mary (Charlize Theron), Ray's wife. Immediately there is tension in the air leaving the audience in for quite a surprise later in the movie.
The next day, a warrant is issued for Hancock's arrest, and his newly hired publicist Ray urges Hancock to turn himself in with the hope of cleaning up the troubled hero's image. Hancock gives in and soon is off to jail. Yes, a superhero who puts the criminals in jail is now there with them. Clocking in at nearly 90 minutes, the movie is too short to accomplish anything that leaves the viewer wanting more. Hancock has most of the lines for the flick, but he rarely has any that give the audience laughter. Mary's character is also fairly boring, and even when you learn more about her as the movie progresses, it's not very interesting.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Cyndi
posted 7/07/08 @ 8:04 PM EST
I really enjoyed this movie simply because Will Smith didn't follow the regular old Hollywood formula for your average superhero movie. This movie was enticing because there is a lot of mystery surrounding the characters. (Continued…)
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