Review - Hancock (2008)

Studio/Production Company: Columbia Pictures
Director: Peter Berg
Written By: Vince Gilligan, Vincent Ngo
Rating: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language.
Release Date: July 2, 2008
Genre: Action/Drama
Strong Points: Goes outside the box of the superhero genre and does it flair and purpose, the message strikes with power and truth, there's a feeling and soul to it that most films of its genre lack.
Weak Points: Like an amazing roller coaster that comes to a close too soon, Hancock is over before you want it to be.
Technical Score: A
Artistic Score: B+
Final Score (not an average): A-
Moral Warnings: Constant swearing throughout including two F-words (one in Japanese with the subtitle using symbols to block out two of the letters), a middle finger salute, uses of "God," and one use of "Christ," and many uses of the word a** and its derivatives; superhero violence throughout including blood in some scenes; protagonist struggles with alcohol addiction.


His name is Hancock, and he is the only one of his kind. He can fly. He can lift cars with his bare hands. He is indestructible. His abilities point to every definition of the word superhero. And while he saves the citizens of L.A. every day, his methods point to every definition of a very different word (and one that is used many, many times throughout the duration of the film). The careless use of his extraordinary powers leaves the people of his city in strong discontent for his acts of heroism, but Hancock isn't exactly the type of person to care about what people think.

The result is a very troubled, very unlikable protagonist. It is also a very compelling, very fresh take on the superhero genre. Anyone expecting another Spiderman or Ironman film will be surprised. Hancock goes outside the genre of film it is associated with to provide for a completely different experience - one that takes the basic elements of the genre and makes everything new from the ground up.

Suffice it to say that Hancock is not a comedy that pokes fun at superhero films as the ad campaign has suggested. The first third of the movie is without doubt comedic, much like the trailers have shown. Our hero is an alcoholic who uses his powers with reckless abandonment. Every time he performs a heroic act, he brings with him so much damage that it almost would have been better had he not been there at all. And while you feel sympathy for the people that have to clean up after Hancock's messes, one cannot help but laugh at his creative forms of justice and servitude.

But after the fun is through and we have been sufficiently entertained by the humorous action and Hancock's apathetic character, the inevitable occurs and our hero develops in heroism. Due, in part, to PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a man who has faith in Hancock's ability to change and use his powers responsibly. He leads Hancock down a path to redemption, providing support and care that the superhero has never felt before. And it is as Hancock travels down this path that the film begins to show its heart.

The rest of the film retains some of its comedy, but a surprising amount of drama begins to come through as Hancock makes his choices to change and become a better man. This drama carries the rest of the film on its shoulders with ease. While at first it would seem that Hancock is another "with great power comes great responsibility" superhero flick, the unexpected curveballs that the plot throws make it much, much more than that and add so much to the core of the film.

The gritty drama is touching and powerful. Soon, Hancock is no longer an unlikable protagonist, but one to care for and even respect. The other characters grow on us at a level nearly equal with the hero as all of them are pulled together to face their own demons and share one between them. But it is the struggle that makes the message so strong and the experience so rewarding.

Of course, the film would not be nearly as good as it is without actors that fit so well inside their roles. Will Smith, who I consider to be somewhat of a hot-and-cold actor, is perfect for the role. His has proved his proficiency at playing the "I don't care, so get out of my face" role in previous films, and he does perhaps his finest job of that character in this movie. His facial expressions are dead on, he carries himself perfectly, and the way he reacts to those that don't approve of him...well...you can almost smell the liquor on his breath.

But when the film makes the transformation from comedy to drama, Smith matches his performance in the first half of the film. You can see the pain in his eyes, the care for the ones he has come to love. It's not difficult to call Hancock one of the better performances of Smith's career.

The other actors match Smith's acting ability. Charlize Theron, who plays PR Ray's wife, carries the role with her usual talent, and when the true depth of her character is revealed she pulls off a strong air of mystery that is nearly frightening at first and stays strong as more of the puzzle is put together. Jason Bateman is also a perfect choice for his role, and his interaction with Smith in some cases borders on hilarious as he tries to teach Hancock the basics of superhero right and wrong. And when the drama catches up, he too stays with his fellow actors step for step.

As for the action and special effects, they are nothing short of outstanding. The action, like the rest of the film, goes beyond the norm for its genre. And it does so by being so much more...epic. Some of the action is pretty much what could be expected from the trailer. It leans on the humorous side as Hancock flies and fights under the influence.

But as the film makes its transformation to the more dramatic side, so does the action. It becomes much grittier, darker, and, on the whole, more impressive. Hancock's flight battle in the midst of an incredibly powerful storm rivals the one from the end of Matrix: Revolutions, even surpassing it in the form of creativity. And his final stand at the conclusion of the film is not only powerful and touching, but also awesome to behold.

Though I find little to my disappointment, I must voice one complaint: the movie is not long enough. It doesn't necessarily feel rushed as the pacing is good throughout the film, but there is a sense that there could possibly be a little bit more. As the plotline twists, there are spots where it seems that more could have been done and more depth could be added to it. It's the depth that makes Hancock so excellent in the first place, and a little bit more could have made this great movie an epic one. Still, what isn't there doesn't necessarily take away in this case.

Morally, Hancock is worse than expected in some areas and gratefully mild in others. The language comes in large doses throughout the entirety of the film. The word "a**" and its derivatives (especially the term "a**hole") is used upwards of twenty times. Add in all the other cursing and it almost seems that the film came dangerously close to pushing its limits on PG-13 swearing. There is a fair amount of superhero violence, though things stay pretty mild until the last third of the film wherein the violence takes a much more dark and gritty feel. Things get much more intense, and there is also blood - not exactly gushing, but certainly present. As for sexual content, there is practically none save for a kiss between a man and his wife and Hancock attempting to touch a woman's behind.

Hancock isn't going to win the Oscar for Best Picture, but its originality is enough to make it worth the price to see it and will no doubt compete as one of the best films of the summer.

-Zak Mellgren (zak@revolve21.com)