Reviewed by maroon5gurl88 on Sat July 12, 2008

Advertising can really make or break a movie. This mostly happens in how the meaning of the film is presented. The new Will Smith blockbuster “Hancock” is a film that many people have expected to be a comedic superhero film. What audiences should expect is a dark comedy with some heavy dramatic elements that might turn viewers off.

Hancock (Will Smith) is a superhero who doesn’t want the job. He’s boozy, abrasive and just wants to be left to his own devices. When he saves the life of PR man Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), Hancock is looking at a chance to redeem himself and unenthusiastically takes Ray’s help. Everything changes when Hancock meets Ray’s wife Mary (Charlize Theron) who holds secrets about the reluctant superhero’s past.

There is a lot to enjoy about “Hancock” that I was surprised to see. The special effects throughout the movie are top notch. There’s car chases, huge items being thrown around on busy streets and none of it looks too CGI. Sure there’s a level that one needs to suspend disbelief but director Peter Berg is able to toe the line between belief and effects. He’s also able to expertly balance the story with the action. The character of Hancock is the ultimate reluctant superhero and his one-liners; his entire nature is just hilarious. This is a very fun summer film that never really drags and keeps the audience engaged. I also loved the constant Hancock bashing that various characters do throughout; the dialogue is sharp and very realistic. I also loved how technology is used to an extent that isn’t seen in most superhero movies. Berg addresses the fact that in our times superheroes and their exploits would totally end up on YouTube.

The advertising is where this movie falters, mostly in that you aren’t prepared for what you are about to watch. It’s fun watching the ads with Hancock throwing around children and being a total jerk but don’t expect this to be a comedy. If anything Berg crafts a dark comedy, which he is amazing at but might turn off audiences expecting a fun Will Smith summer comedy. There are comedic moments aplenty, but the film takes a sharp turn in the mid-point to become a dramatic love story which really irritated me. From the beginning you know that Theron’s role in this is important…and you know this by the constant looks she gives Hancock. I would have liked a bit more surprise here instead of knowing right off the bat. The love story that develops with her character is just too abrupt and transitions the film into an entirely new direction. It’s still enjoyable, but the switch is too quick. For parents expecting to take their children to a superhero movie definitely heed the PG13 rating with this film. There is one use of the “F” word but a lot of language that got me noticing what this was rated. It’s not that it’s a bad thing to have the language but I saw many young children in my theater so definitely heed that rating if you don’t want children learning certain words. Other than that there are not excessive sexual elements or nudity. I’m hoping that we’ll get some sort of “Hancock” prequel if only because the backstory on this is handled very haphazardly. Theron at one point explains Hancock’s origins but does it in about a ten second clip that just left me confused. She mentions someone hunting Hancock over years but you never find out whom these people are and if they’re connected to the villains in the film. It also doesn’t help that the backstory springs up at random points so hopefully Berg can make another film equal to this that goes into that story a bit more. The ending of this is also very clichéd which bugged me since the rest of the movie beforehand tried so hard not to be clichéd.

The acting in this film is flawless and the movie is forgiven its issues due to the actor’s jobs. Will Smith goes back to his more dark comedic roots with this film. He’s very much in the mode of his character in “Bad Boys” and I forgot how much I enjoyed this version of Smith. It’s not that his romantic comedies are bad but I did enjoy this role since he’s able to be very dark and mean but loveable at the same time. Charlize Theron also goes back to her good girl/bad girl roots with this film. I was reminded a bit of her character in something like “Reindeer Games” which isn’t the best example but I do enjoy Theron being somewhat of a bad girl. The weakest link, and I hate to say this, has to be Jason Bateman. It’s always fun to see Bateman in a comedic role, and here his character is very much in the Michael Bluth, “Arrested Development” sense but he’s just wasted overall. His character can be summed up as the “goofy straight man” and that’s it. He’s never really utilized against the other two actors.

Aside from some missteps “Hancock” delivers the fun for the summer. I give it a 3.5/5.