Hancock

New Movie Review.



Directed by Peter Berg
Written by Vy Vincent Ngo & Vince Gilligan
Starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman & Charlize Theron

Hancock is the latest Will Smith blockbuster. It follows a disgruntled drunkard, John Hancock (Will Smith), with super powers who tends to cause just as much trouble as he stops. For example, when he saves a man from getting hit by a train, Hancock causes a train wreck. It doesn't help that every time he makes an entrance by landing in a street and ruining the road. The people of L.A. have taken notice, and would rather Hancock disappeared and left the city alone. Luckily, it just so happens the man, Ray (Jason Bateman), who was saved from the train is in Public Relations and wants to help shed a new light on Hancock. The two work together on Hancock's image and become friends. Ray has a wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), who is apprehensive of her husband's new friend. Her motives are mysterious and come up later in the film.

The movie's story is somewhat interesting but is average at best. The initial plot is shallow, and when it attempts to deepen in the questionable third act, it fails in a big way. The writing is amateurish and perhaps even laughable. Despite this, I'm giving Hancock an ever so slightly positive review.

Peter Berg's direction is an odd decision for such a silly action comedy, but it ends up being one of the saving graces. I'm a big fan of Berg's unique and very recognizable style that helped make Friday Night Lights my favourite sports film of all time. With last year's The Kingdom, an unfairly bashed flick, his style once again put emphasis on the smallest emotional moments. He is able to highlight the emotional moments in this movie as well, which is ridiculous because the movie does not earn it's audience over in that way. Still, when Berg does his thing it's hard not to feel anything. The other saving grace is the acting.

Will Smith is very good as usual, and it's fun to see him play a character with a bit more edge instead of copping out Tom Hanks style by only playing audience pleasing roles. Smith cusses and disses with an admirable ease while still subtly having that nice guy just below the surface. Jason Bateman is also a big highlight of the movie, adding his comic style he used in Arrested Development and Juno. He makes his character funny, sympathetic and very likable. Charlize Theron also does a good job here but she a brings a serious element that seems out of place.

The performances are very good and in the case of Smith and Bateman, very fun. The story may be forgettable, but Peter Berg's directing, even if it is out of place, helps make this a fun blockbuster. Certainly not a movie that needs to be seen, but it's an enjoyable way to spend a couple hours on a summer night.