Hancock is the summer Superhero movie that we all have been waiting for. Wait? What? Oh sorry... I meant Dark Knight... which will easily shadow Hancock as soon as it comes out and send it to the realm of Will Smith movies everyone has forgotten about... like MIB II and Sharktale. However... Hancock isn't a bad bad idea... its just a bunch of good ideas that was made into a bad film. Kind of like a collage that a 5 year old makes using classic magazine images.
Hancock tells the story of John Hancock (Will Smith) (a Superhero who's origins are never revealed). However, (surprise, surprise) Hancock is not your average Superhero. He does his job because he feels obligated, but like a burned out social worker, he does not care at all about how his actions affects everyone else. He has pending lawsuits and fines, has outstanding arrest warrants, and above all, he is an alcoholic. It is soon revealed that while Hancock cannot be penetrated by bullets, his feelings are not so strong. So he wanders around depressed and teary-eyed, until one day he saves the life of Ray Embry (Jason Bateman) a Public Relations man, who is looking for a new project... ie. Hancock.
Hancock is convinced to head off to prison to reform his image, messing up two guys who challenge him on the prison yard (apparently forgetting he was the superhero who put them in there). After some depressing basketball, a visit from Embry's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), and several heads stuffed up other peoples bums, the city realizes that it needs Hancock the superhero, and he sets out to do what he does best... kickin' other peoples asses.
As far as acting goes, Will Smith is superb. You easily connect with Hancock's emotions, and feel where he is coming from right off the bat. In certain scenes, Smith does seem to be as old as his character, and this is one of his best. Jason Bateman essentially reprises his character from "Arrested Development", Michael Bluth, in trying to be the guy that holds his family and friends together. While Bateman is a good actor, this is a character who brings nothing new to the genre and we have all seen before.
Charlize Theron looks very attractive in this movie... but thats more or less it. Her character is far too over dramatic, and from the moment she 'meets' Hancock, you know something is up. Also, once it is revealed that something is indeed going on there, you wonder how you or anyone else never noticed it before. Each time Hancock walks in, the camera zooms in on her and she gasps, almost as in saying to the viewer "Hey you, you look dumb so let me tell you multiple times that a twist is eventually coming."
After all two or three twists come, the movie dramatically improves. The climax of the film is beautifully shot and a thing of total art, and Superhero drama in the best from. However is is disappointing that the ending of the film is when it finally gets good. Peter Berg (The Director) makes you feel as if you are watching three different movies that were cut together. Its almost as if someone edited together "Transformers," "The Notebook, and the non action parts of "Spiderman 3". The whole movie is disjointed throughout, and they never explain any of the origins or back-story before the film takes place, which is very annoying and confusing.
By far the best scene comes at the end of the film (mid credits) when Hancock goes to a bank robbery... and... well I won't spoil that part for you. If you do happen to head over to the theater to see the film... this is easily the best part. Too bad it didn't come sooner in the movie.
