HANCOCK

English (U) 03 July 2008

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Running Time: approx. 93 minutes

Director: Peter Berg

Producer: Akiva Goldsman, James Lassiter, Michael Mann, Will Smith

Writer: Vince Gilligan, Vincent Ngo

Casts: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marson

Plot: Will Smith plays an alcoholic superhero named Hancock, somebody that absolutely everybody loves to hate. Hancock's well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. One day, he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) who helps to rehabilitate him. However, Hancock begins to have an affair with the publicist's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron) instead.

My Review:

Green Tea says:

Will Smith is a someone you must watch for when it comes to its movie. Hancock does the same and serve the same way as well. But what I fear is that his reputation can slump if something is not done right now. The latest venture of a man love-to hate superhero markes his eight consecutive movie that reach above US$ 100 million in US Box Office. The streak started with Men In Black 2 (2002), Bad Boys 2 (2003), I Robot and Shark Tales (2004), Hitch (2005), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), I Am Legend (2007) and now Hancock. I warn you, Hancock is enjoyable but it is noy the best by him.

WARNING: SPOILERS UP AHEAD!!
(May I recommend you to highlight it if you still want to read this section marked with [...])

[The movie begins with what it appears to be a car-chasing involving criminals and polices in a busy highway in Los Angeles. Hancock (Will Smith), as usual is drunk and boozed himself into sleep only to awaken by some kid whom he feels annoying. Yes, he has an issues about kids because he didn't enjoy to be with them and they are annoying. So he get himself up, catch the criminals only to landed himself with public jeering for property destroying and lawsuits, etc.

Then he saves the life of a Bono-like PR executive, Ray (Jason Bateman) from been rammed by a train. Yes, Hancock is the hero - yet again another jeers and property damages.The PR decides to help him to recover his badly-tainted public images but got objection from his wife, Mary (Charlize Theron). She seems to be disliking Hancock for some reasons. Hancock faces lawsuits and the public demands him to be put in prison for breaking several laws. Ray decides to use the opportunity of getting into the jail to help clean up Hancock's bad image and behaviours, as well as making the public "miss" him.

He enters the jail but one day receive call from Chief of Police to help the polices to combat the gang involves in bank robbery and holding some hostages. Hancock saves the day and eventually becomes an instant superhero. Instead of jeers, now he receives cheers from the crowd. He beat the gang leader (Eddie Marsan) and put him into jail.

Later it was revealed that Mary possesses the similar power as like Hancock. It seems Hancock and Mary are some group of special people with superpowers whom have exist for more than three millenium. Hancock threats to reveal about her superpower to Ray but Mary insists to shut him up. They have a brief fight in the city centre, but their outragous fight of covering up Mary's identity ends up revealed to Ray whom is stun and in disbelief.

Hancock beginning to lose his superpower, been shot while attempting to stop a liquor store robbery. He landed in hospital for the injuries. Meanwhile the gang leader and two other prisoners in-mate have escape from the prison and are on plans to revenge and kill Hancock. They locate him at the hospital while Mary is in the hospital. Mary got a shot by them while trying to protect Hancock. Hancock deals with the other two but is severely wound. Just he is about to be killed by the gang leader, Ray just in time save Hancock. In order to save Mary who is in dying due to the gunshot, he decides to leave the city, to restore their both power. In the end, Hancock accepting his hero status in New York while leaving Ray and Mary to have a normal human life.]

REVIEW: I have to say that Hancock is an enjoyable movie to go through. The movie consists of two parts. The first part is filled with plot-building full of humours and actions that seems to be the biggest trademark for Will Smith's. I feel funny and laugh to burst over their silly and hilarious jokes. The story is also very exciting, more friendly and well structured that I initially feel that the movie is going to be funny and the ride to enjoy this movie is certain. I also feels that this movie is going to be a great one. But the turning point is when Hancock discovers about Mary's superpowers. The story suddenly suffers a steep fall back, and the movie became scrappy and a little bit annoying. There are many loop holes in between and not as exciting as it is to be. Suddenly, emotions take control of the movie. Furthermore, while you are expecting a much stronger villain will step out to fight Hancock, I bet you are wrong and get disappointed. He is just a normal person who is seeking for revenge trying to kick Hancock's ass. If it is not that Hancock is seriously injured and sets to lose his power, his ass instead will be kicked. The plot in the end is a let-down - the same emotional and superheroes-dilemma that take control of SpiderMan 3 which make the Spidey 3 less favourable. Therefore, the plot of the movie deserves only an average grade. The movie is also solely depending the brand name of Will Smith himself. Charlize and the rest are unable to keep up with his absolute fantastic acting, Good Job! But still Charlize in the movie serves more like a way to lure people instead of wowwing the people whom are watching it.The special effect and cinematography are farely good but there is some issues about shaky handycam, resembling Cloverfield. STORY & PLOT 2.5, ACTING 3.5, EFFECTS 3.0, CINEMATOGRAPHY 3.5

Our Verdict:

Green Tea says:

3.0 stars