I’ve been seeing commercials for Hancock so long that I feel like it’s been out forever. Of course it only came out today and instead of waiting for the weekend to see it with my mom I decided to go solo and see it opening day. She’ll be okay.
Hancock is kind of a comic book movie. A comic book movie not based on an actual comic book. Hancock played by Will Smith is an alcoholic, antisocial, and amnesiac superhero or maybe antihero if I want to continue the alliteration. He can fly, he’s bullet proof, he’s strong, his nails are razor sharp, and he’s nigh immortal. He’s also depressed, disinterested, and lonely. Hancock tries to get beneath the skin of heroes and attempts to show the genre from another side, the personal life of a superhero. Unfortunately, what we get to see is superficial and trite. What the movie is supposed to do and what it actually does are two different things. Hancock barely grazes the surface of our downtrodden title character and when it does never gets much deeper than a mosquito bite.
The movie opens with a high speed chase taking place in L.A. while Hancock is passed out on a bench. He’s finally wakened from his drunken slumber by a kid and he flies off to play the hero. If you’ve seen any of the trailers you already know what scene I’m talking about. He flies to the freeway hindering the police while trying to stop the high speed chase/shootout. My first annoyance with this movie and first hint that this movie didn’t know if it wanted to be a kiddie movie or one for adults happened here. Hancock is flying down the freeway and through signs with “Move Bitch” by Ludacris playing in the background. What’s wrong with that? Did I mention that is was the clean/radio version of it? Why not play the album version since Hancock or other characters in the film say bitch or worse throughout? Whatever.
While even an impaired Hancock saved the day in that situation he causes nine million dollars in damages by the time he ends the chase/shootout. The people of L.A. are fed up with Hancock and have no hesitation whatsoever telling him that he sucks and calling him an asshole. One day Hancock saves Ray Embrey, a public relations executive, played by Jason Bateman from a potentially fatal mistake. Of course, Hancock causes even more damage while saving him but Ray sees something in him and decides to make Hancock his pet project. Ray invites Hancock home for dinner and begins pitching ideas on how to clean up his image and become a hero in the people’s eyes. Of course it isn’t that easy. Hancock meets Ray’s wife, Mary, and is instantly attracted to her. Mary is overly weary of Hancock and takes an immediate disliking to him.
The last half hour or so of the movie becomes pretty dark. Again not being able to decide what tone the movie wants to take. It may be too intense for young children. The reveals come out of nowhere and the back story between Hancock and Mary seems like an afterthought.
The Good: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, & Charlize Theron. I’d imagine I’d be a lot like Hancock if I had superpowers, well minus the alcoholic part. He’s not your traditional hero and I’ve always been more fascinated by people’s flaws, the things they want to hide, and with darker personalities than typical everyday “normal” people. The way Hancock reacts to certain situations and being called an asshole.
The Bad: A superhero movie without a supervillain is kind of like watching stroke porn. Where’s the pussy and what’s the point?! Technically, it is but isn’t. Cartoony violence. The script. The movie’s schizophrenic direction. Is it supposed to be a comedy, a drama, a romance, an action movie or something else? The movie doesn’t seem to know and I defy you to know any better. At just 92 minutes in length this movie had room for and probably would’ve benefited with more exposition and some of the deleted scenes.
The Miscellaneous: Ladies and ladyboys may enjoy seeing Will Smith’s ass. Hancock teetered on the fence between PG-13 and R and unfortunately as is my opinion with bisexuals it’s confusion ultimately annoyed me and turned me off. I could’ve enjoyed it as a straight PG-13 or as a true R-rated film however the final product feels like a watered down R-rated film and that some of the nuances and better stuff was left on the cutting room floor in order to get the kids in and the softer rating. It’s a shame because this movie is okay but it could’ve and should’ve been so much better. I’ve heard people referring to Big Willie as Mr. July, well, I’m not so sure he has that title on lock just yet. It’s not Wild Wild West bad (even though I liked it) but Hancock isn’t one of more even or best efforts. My letter grade for Hancock is B- (although I wouldn’t argue with anyone saying it was a C+ movie.) It really could’ve gone either way in my book depending on when you ask me about it.
I actually liked Hancock. I was bit shocked that it would even be decent considering how corny the previews were. At least I saw it at matinee price ($5).
I can already tell that there will be a 2nd one because they left too many stories unexplained (where exactly they came from, the deeper history between him and Charlize, the Mike Epps shot at the end).
It was okay. I did laugh out loud more than once but it wasn’t a blockbuster in my opinion. I saw it for 50 cents more.
I don’t know. Sure it made money but the reviews for it have been mixed at best and negative at worse. Besides, the interesting part was about how fucked up a person he was and by the end he was working on that. Hancock as a nice guy would just be kind of sucky in my opinion. But that’s never stopped Hollywood before. I wouldn’t be surprised but I kind of hope there isn’t a sequel.
The last good Big Willie movie I saw was “I Robot”. Looks like i will be waiting for this one to hit the DVD!
Make sure you get it when it first comes out and is on sale.
We were supposed to be going to the movie about an hour ago to see it but alas I’m still at home. *shakes fist* Damn that CP time!! lol Sounds like we may need to forgo it anyway and just get a rental….hmmmmmmm.
Thanks for the review!
Happy 4th.
Whoever made you late should be dragged out into the street naked and beaten with a brick. I hate being late and colored people time needs a swift steel toed kick in the genitals!
You’re welcome. I’m interested to see what your review of it will be.
Thanks! Hope it stopped raining long enough for you to stuff yourself on BBQ.
Very good and detailed review, you were able to talk about the movie without giving it away… I would still go see it though…by the way I used to comment on here and then I was blocked so I guess you are giving the “lurkers” another chance…..I really wasnt a lurker I guess I just didnt come to the site often enough to be considered a regular..ah anyway….Happy 4th!
Thanks. It’s hard not to totally spoil a movie. Then again considering that the trailers show most of the good parts anyway maybe it’s impossible to spoil most movies. :-??
I unban I.P. addresses from time to time. I’m not really sure why though. Half get the hint and don’t come back. Another 40% end up exhibiting lurker traits again and get banned again and 10% or less play nice and comment.
Thanks hope you had a happy 4th of July. **==
as soon as i saw the preview, i knew it’d be another Wild, Wild, West for Will. lol… ok, maybe not that bad. but, i wasn’t feeling the previews at all. then again, maybe my general feelings about Will could have been influencing me. 😉
You’re not going to be satisfied until Will & Jada kidnap you and teach you the error of your ways by having you into Scientology and swinging will you? [-( It’s not quite that bad but it’s no Men in Black, Independence Day, or Six Degrees of Separation either.
I had already planned on waiting to see it on DVD or find a good bootleg copy.
I haven’t heard a bad thing about Kung Fu Panda. Can’t wait to see it Saturday.
=)) @ good bootleg copy. There’s no such thing. Let me quit. I saw a dude in the theater with a backpack and wondered if he was taping it. I don’t think he was because I probably would’ve snitched on his if he did and asked for a reward.
Hopefully I’ll get to see it before next week. If not, then Kung Fu Panda will have to wait until it’s out on DVD for me to see it.
Damn I’m really disappointed. Oh well I’ll either look at it on the intrnet, get a bootleg or wait for it on DVD. 🙁
You might like it anyway. If the movie came out in October or February or wasn’t hyped as a summer blockbuster I might have had a different opinion. It’s not his worst movie but it isn’t a 4th of July blockbuster either in my opinion.
Can you e-mail me where you look at it on the Internet? :d
Lost you after you said Will Smith’s ass. It seems like he is always showing the body off in his films now….YUMMY!
Go sit in the corner! x( Especially if the movie isn’t very good. What?! I’m just telling the truth.
I agree with the Second Sixy Eight, sounds like it might be a Straight to dvd, or possibly BET Blackbuster premiere in 2011 LOL, OK not really but probably Showtime or some other movie channel next summer
Unless you’re a big Will Smith fan then I’d say it’s safe to wait for the DVD or cable release. I’m sure Starz or HBO will get Hancock before BET. Your movie truly sucks when it premiers on or was made for BET.
Awww man, it’s that bad?! Hmph. So basically, I’ve seen all I need to see based on the previews and should wait for DVD?
Not that I could see it in theaters right now anyway, but hey, I suffered the pain for Indiana!
I wouldn’t want you being uncomfortable to see a movie that could put you in a bad mood and I don’t think D’s testicles want that either. :)) I’d wait for the DVD.
I wouldn’t say it’s bad per se. It’s disappointing because I expected more. The idea for Hancock has been floating around Hollywood for a decade and Will Smith usually does good movies so I honestly have to question why we ended up with what was on the screen instead of something much better. They had more than enough time and actors with the chops to carry the role. They worked well with what they had but unfortunately what they had could’ve been a lot better.
Okay. I will wait for the DVD.
I hope there is a director’s cut or at least an I’m sorry for the version we released in theaters cut.
=))=))=))
Uh, yeah. Me too…:d
Well, we’ll know in about three months when it’s on DVD.
I really like Will Smith, but I don’t think this is a Movie I would watch for the reasons I don’t go to the cinema: crowds and noise.
I really enjoyed your review. It was balanced and probably truthful.
As the commercial would go, “I’d buy that for a dollar!” (Robocop)
See you!
If a movie is just released and there’s no crowd chances are it’s not really a very good movie like the Love Guru. I usually just go to a matinee and deal with less people but rarely have ever been in an empty or near empty theater during the summer.
Hmmmmmm…..I kinda chalked this movie up to “best scenes shown in the preview” category. I figured they showed all the good stuff. I might just put this one on hold until the brother-in-law can get me the bootleg copy.
Today was movie day for my family too. I took the two kiddies to see Kung Fu Panda. We caught the early showing and we were the ONLY ONES in the theatre. HOW GREAT WAS THAT!!!! hahahahha
The kids LOVED The movie. So did I for that matter. Next week will be WALL-E. I usually dont make it to the theatre unless its with the kids so…..no rated R movies unless they are Bootleg, On Demand, or DVD. Yeah….that sucks.
I don’t think they showed any parts of the end of the movie on the trailers. I would say the showed or hinted at about 80% of the good parts. There was stuff I didn’t mention but I didn’t want to spoil the film.
I may have to go see Kung Fu Panda. I’m kind of hesitant because I don’t particular care for Jack Black but I haven’t heard anything bad about it so I may have to finally see it.
Well technically Hancock was PG-13 but it probably would’ve been better as an R-rated film if that helps.
I don’t understand why directors are watering down films just to get more people in the seats. Dont they know that it will only make the RIGHT aged audience turn away from the movie. I mean….it’s hurting the reviews of these movies when people say….”well, it was aight, but not enough action.” or whatever. IDK.
HEY! are you gonna do a “patriotic” FIF post tomorrow? Being 4th of July and all. I dont know why I’m asking. It’s not like I have a password or anything. ahahahhahah But Hey….a girl can try right?! :d
The studios are convinced that R-rated movies don’t make money so they load up on the kid friendly stuff. R-rated movies don’t make money because they don’t release many of them and the ones that do aren’t particular good enough to set up any kind of word of mouth buzz.
I don’t think there’s going to be a July 4th Fuck it Friday. I don’t imagine most people will be working tomorrow so I don’t expect a lot of people to be reading. Don’t really see the point in posting it if no ones going to even see it until Monday at the earliest. :-?? I could always change my mind but I kind of doubt it.
I didn’t have your e-mail address or I would’ve sent you the password last time I changed it.