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I've been waiting for Will Smith's annual Fourth of July weekend movie release with a lot of anticipation. It's becoming a tradition every time this year, knowing that a new Will Smith blockbuster is coming out. Past releases at this time have included "Independence Day," both "Men in Black" movies and the ill-fated "Wild Wild West." I would put "Hancock" above that flick, but under the first "Men in Black" and "Independence Day."
"Hancock" will enjoy a good pre-Fourth box office, having opened Wednesday nationwide, giving it a jumpstart on the holiday weekend. In a summer of superheroes coming out almost weekly, it seemed kind of refreshing to have an anti-superhero on the big screen.
Smith plays John Hancock, a hard-drinking, depressed homeless man, but one with superpowers. Maybe if he had the shining armor of Iron Man or the wrinkle-free cape of Superman or Batman, he wouldn't be responsible for all the damage he has caused.
Damage? Well, in the past, when superheroes battled the bad guys and saved the damsel in distress, no one even considered who would pay for the massive cleanup from the aftereffects of doing good deeds. That was then, though, and this is now. What with the economy in a bad way and city coffers drying up, being the good guy now can cost you big time. Let's just say Hancock is not well versed in keeping things tidy or conventional. It doesn't help, either, that he's living in Los Angeles, where sue-happy lawyers are standing in line waiting to serve Hancock legal papers for the destruction he has caused.
"Hancock" will enjoy a good pre-Fourth box office, having opened Wednesday nationwide, giving it a jumpstart on the holiday weekend. In a summer of superheroes coming out almost weekly, it seemed kind of refreshing to have an anti-superhero on the big screen.
Smith plays John Hancock, a hard-drinking, depressed homeless man, but one with superpowers. Maybe if he had the shining armor of Iron Man or the wrinkle-free cape of Superman or Batman, he wouldn't be responsible for all the damage he has caused.
Damage? Well, in the past, when superheroes battled the bad guys and saved the damsel in distress, no one even considered who would pay for the massive cleanup from the aftereffects of doing good deeds. That was then, though, and this is now. What with the economy in a bad way and city coffers drying up, being the good guy now can cost you big time. Let's just say Hancock is not well versed in keeping things tidy or conventional. It doesn't help, either, that he's living in Los Angeles, where sue-happy lawyers are standing in line waiting to serve Hancock legal papers for the destruction he has caused.
Enter Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a PR executive saved by Hancock, who has a plan to change the superhero's negative image with the public. Of course, this means he has to clean up his own act as a person first. If Ray can have L.A. cheering for Hancock, then maybe he won't have to leave the city and be liable for his actions.
There's just one little problem. Ray's wife, Mary (played by Charlize Theron), isn't optimistic about her husband's ability to change Hancock's lifestyle. But Ray does, and that's part of the fun here - watching Hancock's transformation.
OK, so far the movie moves along at superhero speed, with nary a glitch, and I'm seeing some parallels with professional sports here. Imagine a talented ballplayer who's supposed to be a role model for kids but is caught using a performance enhancer or caught with a prostitute at some party, and he's having his personal life called into question off the field when he's not playing. Damage control is needed.
I was really getting into the idea of a superhero who doesn't live up to the standards of his peers and has to own up to his actions. But halfway through the movie, things get bogged down regarding everything from Hancock's past to Mary, and a way darker tone that unfortunately doesn't have a payoff. It's like I was watching two movies spliced together. The second half could have been its own dark sequel, but instead we get a movie in which it seems the script ran out of dialogue from the first half and the writers had to write something to finish under deadline.
Speaking of dialogue, the language in the second half could have easily changed the movie from its PG-13 rating to an R. The violence factor is also amped up quite a bit. It'll be interesting to see if Smith's box-office appeal can carry the entire movie, even with its incoherent rhythm. He's definitely got the likability factor going for him, but will it sustain him playing this character when the philosophical and muddled second-half stuff kicks in?
There's just one little problem. Ray's wife, Mary (played by Charlize Theron), isn't optimistic about her husband's ability to change Hancock's lifestyle. But Ray does, and that's part of the fun here - watching Hancock's transformation.
OK, so far the movie moves along at superhero speed, with nary a glitch, and I'm seeing some parallels with professional sports here. Imagine a talented ballplayer who's supposed to be a role model for kids but is caught using a performance enhancer or caught with a prostitute at some party, and he's having his personal life called into question off the field when he's not playing. Damage control is needed.
I was really getting into the idea of a superhero who doesn't live up to the standards of his peers and has to own up to his actions. But halfway through the movie, things get bogged down regarding everything from Hancock's past to Mary, and a way darker tone that unfortunately doesn't have a payoff. It's like I was watching two movies spliced together. The second half could have been its own dark sequel, but instead we get a movie in which it seems the script ran out of dialogue from the first half and the writers had to write something to finish under deadline.
Speaking of dialogue, the language in the second half could have easily changed the movie from its PG-13 rating to an R. The violence factor is also amped up quite a bit. It'll be interesting to see if Smith's box-office appeal can carry the entire movie, even with its incoherent rhythm. He's definitely got the likability factor going for him, but will it sustain him playing this character when the philosophical and muddled second-half stuff kicks in?
I thought Bateman was very good, and Theron also turned in a fine performance, but even with good actors and acting, you're only as good as what is written for you on the page.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
Keepin' it reel
Now Playing: "Hancock"
Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, David Mattey, Maetrix Fitten, Thomas Lennon, Johnny Galecki and Nancy Grace Directed by: Peter Berg Rated: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence and language Running time: 1 hour, 32 minutes Howie gives it: 2.5 out of 5 bagels |
