With superheroes being big business in Hollywood these days, it's no wonder that big studios are out to cash in on the 'craze'. While many of the films out this summer are based on previously established properties that were once comic books (Iron Man, The Dark Knight, Hellboy II: The Golden Army), one movie stands out as being an original creation: Hancock.
John Hancock is Earth's Only Superhero
The title character, John Hancock (Will Smith), is Earth's only superhero. With powers such as super strength, invulnerability and the ability to fly, he does his job protecting his chosen hometown (Los Angeles).
He just doesn't do it particularly well.
Hancock is far from being popular as the film begins, portrayed as a foul mouthed, bad tempered drunkard. When he shows up to save the day, nobody cheers, everybody jeers. It's not hard to see why nobody is particularly thrilled when he play his part in catching criminals and averting disasters. He does more harm than good.
All that changes when, by chance, he saves the life of an image consultant, Ray Embrey (played impeccably by Jason Bateman). Embrey offers to help Hancock change the way the world sees him and, reluctantly, after a warrant is issued for his arrest, Hancock agrees.
The hero cleans up his act and becomes the city's champion, finally gaining the popularity and affection that is due him.
And then, things get really weird.
Under the impression that he's been alone on Earth all this time, Hancock finds this isn't so. There's another super powered being on the planet and she's not happy about being found out. Cue climactic battle music and several small climactic battles.
Where Hancock Fails and Where it Succeeds
For the first half, Hancock is a fun--and often funny--romp in the superhero film genre. Though a little harsh on language for a PG-13 movie right out of the gate, it's still very entertaining, just not something some families may approve of.
The underlying message that it's never too late to change and that improving oneself is always a worthwhile effort are woven into the plot in such a way that they don't feel like a forced lesson in morality, but still get their point across. The only drawback to this is that the superhero on the road to recovery and redemption thing has been done before--and done better--in this year's wildly successful Iron Man. For those who've seen the Marvel Comics' vehicle, Hancock will feel like a poor man's Iron Man.
The one noticeable problem that Hancock seems to have is the drastic change in tone that occurs at the midway point. Up until then, it's all fun and games. Afterwards, it's a steep drop from happy-go-lucky humor to depressing, dark and more than a little confusing. The writers dump the audience in the middle of complicated mythological concepts without any warning and they’re left scratching their heads.
Though the ending is satisfying--especially considering the severe difference between it and the beginning--it still feels like something is missing. Perhaps, if the shift in storytelling hadn’t been so abrupt and been delivered as a gradual one instead, the movie would feel more fulfilling. As it is, Hancock is a noble experiment in a Hollywood grown hero which falls flat more than it shines.
Lydia Ballard - A writer who got her start in the perilous world of fan fiction, Lydia Ballard is an aspiring comic book writer and self proclaimed lover ...
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