Previews of the latest Will Smith film offer the unique premise of a burned out, bummed out and unpopular superhero. The notion of a tragically flawed but extraordinary individual has potential to resonate with countless people whose reality often impedes their own personal power.
Unfortunately, poor direction by Peter Berg, coupled with a meatless and incomplete story by screenwriters Vincent Ngo and Vince Gillian, manage to defeat the entire purpose of the movie.
Not even Smith’s real-life superhuman power to create an indelible connection with viewers saves the day for Hancock.
In the opening scenes, Hancock is drunk and sprawled out on a public bench in Los Angeles when he is summoned by a young passer-by to use his powers. While he catches the bad guy, the anti-superhero does more harm than good. In the character’s trademark style of crime-stopping, he inflicts millions of dollars in damages on the city’s dime.
Hancock has infinite strength and lacks capacity for suffering physical harm. But he is destitute and disliked – especially among the people of the city upon whom he continues to inflict his misguided rescue efforts.
In a rare instance of appreciation for his over-the-top style of saving the day, Hancock is befriended by Ray, a do-gooder public relations executive (played by Jason Bateman) who lends his expertise to encourage Hancock to create a new image for himself.
It is through Ray and his family that Hancock is supposed to have his humanity exposed, receive salvation, acceptance, love, etc. – a multiple choice of sappy sideline themes offered to the audience that further kills the story.
Smith’s natural charm and wit are extremely downplayed in the role of Hancock, which can be expected with Hancock’s dark and tormented persona. However, the instinctive reactions that made Smith a film star to begin with are so diluted that Hancock is completely absent of personality. Smith’s suprisingly underacted Hancock is emotionless and allows Bateman’s character to outshine him on every level.
And, Hancock opens up and progresses emotionally, Smith’s portrayal of him shuts down and becomes more one-dimensional.
Charlize Theron as Ray’s wife does little to create an effective ensemble. She is more along the lines of a pretty face to balance out the male eye candy than a formidable co-star.
Funny moments and breathtaking special effects are few and far between among the transitions that shift Hancock – which is falsely advertised as complex study of a superhero who has disconnected from his greatness – back and forth between corny and predictable.
As the mystery of Hancock is revealed, the minds behind the film dig a deeper hole, which ultimately becomes a gravesite for the entire Hancock experience.
Hancock is open in theatres nationwide. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 92 minutes.
Hancock’s helping hand
In keeping with the spirit of Hancock, Columbia Pictures is launching a contest to pay off a family’s home mortgage.
Hancock’s Helping Hand Mortgage payoff contest was inspired by the
film. Columbia Pictures will pay off the mortgage debt of one deserving
family, with a grand prize worth up to $360,000. Entrants will write a
200-word essay explaining why they are deserving of the grand prize.
The program runs through July 6. To enter and find the official contest rules, visit www.Hancockmovie.com.
