Hancock (2008)

Hancock (2008)

Will Smith gives a convincing performance as Hancock - a self-hating lonely guy who does not know much about his past, looks like a bum, is an alcoholic and has anger management problems.

He has chalked up tens of millions of damage because of his couldn't-care-less attitude when using his superpowers. This does not endear him with the people of Los Angeles who demand that he be put in prison for the destruction of numerous properties.

Fed up with his current situation, Hancock agrees to an Image Consultant, Ray Embrey's (Jason Bateman) plan to go to prison so that the public will realize how much they need him. During his time in prison, he learns to handle his problems and turn a new leaf.

The second half of the movie slows down a bit as our funny superhero becomes a serious and more conscientious superhero. But tragedy awaits him when he learns about his past and the source of his superpowers. Like all superheroes, there is a duality in the nature of their superpowers and this can be exploited to destroy them.

Hancock is not a bad movie though it is not really a classic superhero movie. Like Batman, Hancock deals with people, not monsters and superhuman beings.

It questions the feasibility of a superhero being a sort of demi-god, perfect in every aspect of their lives without any moral or emotional shortcomings. In a way, Hancock is an analogy of the USA - a nation that does much good but is largely unappreciated because of some failings in its moral compass.

As a whole, the CGI and special effects are good though we wonder if a better film has been left on the cutting floor as it has been reported that Director Peter Berg had cut many scenes which could have made Hancock a more coherent movie including an exciting CGI heavy fight scene.

Hancock is the new age superhero - imperfect, sensitive and dealing with real human problems.

Hancock is Not Suitable for Young Children:

The movie is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and language. The film was given the R Rating twice before because of its statutory rape scene and several scenes of severe alcoholic abuse. So it not surprising this film looks more like an adult orientated movie than a film made with children in mind. So its PG-13 rating is right on the money - this film is suitable only for children 13 years and above.

As can be expected in action movies, there is a lot of violence though very little blood is shown. There is also more than a few obscenities and sex jokes including one in which the superhero literally puts one bad guy up another bad guy's ass. The hero also drinks more than he should, teaches kids how to hurt other kids and other bad attitudes. So he is not exactly an ideal role model for kids.

Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron, Eddie Marsan
Director: Peter Berg
Screenwriter: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan
Producer: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, Will Smith, James Lassiter
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Runtime: 110 minutes

Watch Hancock 2008 movie trailer on streaming video here:

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