Movie Review: Hancock
- By Aubrey Ward III
- Published 07/4/2008
- Movies
- Unrated
Aubrey Ward III
A gifted and talented soul that was fortunate to be shaped and molded in the fires of 80s pop culture. I now spend my free time reading comic books, playing video games, and watching all kinds of movies while impatiently waiting for She-Ra's big comeback.
View all articles by Aubrey Ward III
A menace or misunderstood? You decide. "Hancock" opens with the hero splayed out on a public bench nursing a doozy of a hangover. When he's alerted to a heated police chase the tipsy hero goes into action and apprehends the culprits. Unfortunately, he dumped the crooks' car on top of the Capitol Records building and left a wake of damage on the highway where the race took place. Overturned police cars, busted pavement, and a lot of angry city officials. All in a days' work for Los Angeles's resident superhero.
During another fractured good deed Hancock (Will Smith) saves the life a man named Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman). Ray happens to be a public relations agent and decides to reinvent Hancock in the hopes of transforming the drunkard from public hoodlum to prized superhero. The question is how long will Hancock put up with Ray's gameplan which involve jail time, rehabilitation, and even a snug bodysuit, er, uniform.
Yes, this is another Will Smith blockbuster and will undoubtedly make tons of money -- no matter what critics say. The general audiences love this guy. However, after that fiasco that was "I Am Legend" I needed "Hancock" to be good. I needed "Hancock" to make Will Smith a box office king again. After seeing "Hancock" I am happy to report that all those unpleasant traces of "I Am Legend" have been purged from my system.
The first positive thing about "Hancock" is the story. The recent crop of superhero movies show the reluctant hero who doesn't want to get involved but eventually realizes with great power comes a great urgency to zip up the spandex unitard and get cracking. Or we get the person who is determined and confident from the getgo and has no problem using his or her or their incredible talents to protect the weak because it is the right thing to do.
Now here's a refreshing take on the genre: a superbeing that gets drunk and works drunk, endangers people even when he's trying to save them, and has a mouth like a sewer. A refreshing and unusual angle that had me intrigued ever since I saw the trailer.
And then there's Mr. Smith himself. His combination of comic timing and dramatic chops give even an intoxicated Hancock an indomitable charm. I must also give a big hand of applause to Jason Bateman, who is an intregal part of the chemistry that makes this film fun. Another comedy vet whose skills are just as rib tickling as Smith's.
The plot and the big star were enough to bring me in but what kept me in the seat (besides paying $11 for the ticket)? Well, the effects are fantastic. The effects wizards must've had a blast creating some nutty images such as an exaggerated whale rescue, the aforementioned car chase at the beginning of the film, and one of the most memorable scenes of the year where Hancock pacifies two unruly inmates.
Dramatically, there are some worthy nuggets such as Hancock's emotional about face as well as some tension between the title character and Ray's wife (Charlize Theron). Still, the main engine of the show is seeing Hancock's struggle to be the man that Ray dreams he can be and the protector the people need. The movie is a summer blockbuster so the writers dig just enough under the surface to keep things moving.
Another big surprise is that this movie has an unexpectedly mature tone. Hancock is truly a consummate jerk and not in the cutesy Grinch way. The language is also pretty strong. Kind of felt like an "R" movie in "PG-13" clothing. Now, I'm not shy about a few choice words but for the families who like keeping it clean, be warned. "Hancock" is funny but it's got some rough edges. For those "special" families (like mine) you'll be too busy laughing to care.
Simply put, "Hancock" is another winner for Will Smith and another hit for the 2008 summer season.
During another fractured good deed Hancock (Will Smith) saves the life a man named Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman). Ray happens to be a public relations agent and decides to reinvent Hancock in the hopes of transforming the drunkard from public hoodlum to prized superhero. The question is how long will Hancock put up with Ray's gameplan which involve jail time, rehabilitation, and even a snug bodysuit, er, uniform.
Yes, this is another Will Smith blockbuster and will undoubtedly make tons of money -- no matter what critics say. The general audiences love this guy. However, after that fiasco that was "I Am Legend" I needed "Hancock" to be good. I needed "Hancock" to make Will Smith a box office king again. After seeing "Hancock" I am happy to report that all those unpleasant traces of "I Am Legend" have been purged from my system.
The first positive thing about "Hancock" is the story. The recent crop of superhero movies show the reluctant hero who doesn't want to get involved but eventually realizes with great power comes a great urgency to zip up the spandex unitard and get cracking. Or we get the person who is determined and confident from the getgo and has no problem using his or her or their incredible talents to protect the weak because it is the right thing to do.
Now here's a refreshing take on the genre: a superbeing that gets drunk and works drunk, endangers people even when he's trying to save them, and has a mouth like a sewer. A refreshing and unusual angle that had me intrigued ever since I saw the trailer.
And then there's Mr. Smith himself. His combination of comic timing and dramatic chops give even an intoxicated Hancock an indomitable charm. I must also give a big hand of applause to Jason Bateman, who is an intregal part of the chemistry that makes this film fun. Another comedy vet whose skills are just as rib tickling as Smith's.
The plot and the big star were enough to bring me in but what kept me in the seat (besides paying $11 for the ticket)? Well, the effects are fantastic. The effects wizards must've had a blast creating some nutty images such as an exaggerated whale rescue, the aforementioned car chase at the beginning of the film, and one of the most memorable scenes of the year where Hancock pacifies two unruly inmates.
Dramatically, there are some worthy nuggets such as Hancock's emotional about face as well as some tension between the title character and Ray's wife (Charlize Theron). Still, the main engine of the show is seeing Hancock's struggle to be the man that Ray dreams he can be and the protector the people need. The movie is a summer blockbuster so the writers dig just enough under the surface to keep things moving.
Another big surprise is that this movie has an unexpectedly mature tone. Hancock is truly a consummate jerk and not in the cutesy Grinch way. The language is also pretty strong. Kind of felt like an "R" movie in "PG-13" clothing. Now, I'm not shy about a few choice words but for the families who like keeping it clean, be warned. "Hancock" is funny but it's got some rough edges. For those "special" families (like mine) you'll be too busy laughing to care.
Simply put, "Hancock" is another winner for Will Smith and another hit for the 2008 summer season.