A philosophical action comedy blockbuster
Hancock starring Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron and Will
Smith
My family and friends know that when we go to the movies I hate
to be late. That’s because I don’t want to miss a second of the
previews.
Previews are a chance to see what movies are on the horizon and
what the pulse is in Hollywood. Movies come in waves
– alien invasion, military movies or pregnancy comedies. This
weekend’s trip to the theater wielded quite a few previews for
movies along one of the favorite cinema themes – the apocalypse. It
made me think I probably won’t want to hit the theater for these
films in the fall.
A philosophical action comedy blockbuster
Hancock starring Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron and Will Smith
My family and friends know that when we go to the movies I hate to be late. That’s because I don’t want to miss a second of the previews.
Previews are a chance to see what movies are on the horizon and what the pulse is in Hollywood. Movies come in waves – alien invasion, military movies or pregnancy comedies. This weekend’s trip to the theater wielded quite a few previews for movies along one of the favorite cinema themes – the apocalypse. It made me think I probably won’t want to hit the theater for these films in the fall.
While I enjoy watching previews, sometimes they give away too much. That was the case with “Knocked Up” when the funniest material in the movie had already aired about a hundred times in theater and television previews. Other times the previews are intriguing. Who can watch the preview for “Dark Knight,” to be released July 18 with the eerie last performance of Heath Ledger, without wanting to see the whole thing?
But sometimes movie previews set us up for disappointment because they are deceiving. That is the case with the just released blockbuster “Hancock.” The movie is billed as an action comedy with Will Smith at the helm. And who better to combine the forces of action and comedy than Smith? He did it well in “Men in Black,” and even brought some laughs out in his last Fourth of July hit, “Independence Day.”
“Hancock” is set up by the marketing arm of Sony Pictures as a funny romp about an alcoholic superhero. And that is where it is likely to disappoint people. The movie starts off well enough. Smith is Hancock, an out-of-favor superhero of sorts. He can fly. He has super human strength. But he just really isn’t that likeable.
When he comes to the rescue, he often causes more damage than good. He is drunk most of the time and he is combative with all the people he meets. Los Angeles government officials are at their wits end and want to put Hancock behind bars. Things look bleak.
That is until Hancock makes the acquaintance of Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman). Ray is the typical good guy who just can’t seem to get people to see things his way. He is in public relations, but instead of schilling things people don’t need he is trying to start a campaign called “All Heart.” One of his first meetings is with a pharmaceutical company and he tries to get them to donate tuberculosis medication to needy countries in Africa and Asia in exchange for affiliation with “All Heart.” He is laughed out of the office.
On the way home to his suburban Los Angeles home, Ray stupidly stops his car on train tracks while at a stoplight. He is sandwiched in between a truck and sedan. When a train starts heading his way, things seem destined to go wrong – until Hancock flies in for the rescue.
Hancock saves Ray’s life, but leaves chaos in his wake. Unlike most people Hancock helps, however, Ray is grateful and wants to offer a favor in return. Ray, the perpetual PR guy, offers to clean up Hancock’s image with a scheme that will make local law enforcement realize how important the superhero’s help really is. Ray brings the drunken, grubby Hancock home to his house for dinner. His son Aaron (Jae Head) is smitten with the well-known anti-hero. But Ray’s wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), is not too happy to have him in her house.
From the very beginning, viewers may wonder where Hancock got his super human strength and the truth is he doesn’t know. There will be answers, but this is where the movie goes astray halfway through. Without giving away important plot points, the movie suddenly shifts to a philosophical look at soul mates and gods. The shift just doesn’t fit in with the action comedy vibe writers Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan start with and the ending feels quite anti-climatic.
Hancock recovers his past and finds his stride as a good guy, but the twist in the film seems hard to swallow. I would have preferred Hancock’s super powers coming from another planet, a spider bite or just plain mutation, like typical comic book superheroes, instead of the explanation we get. For those who see this summer blockbuster, don’t expect all laughs.
