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2008
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HANCOCK
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STARRING:JASON
BATEMAN,WILL SMITH,CHARLIZE THERON,JAE HEAD,EDDIE MARSAN,DAVID
MATTLEY,MAETRIX FITTEN
WRITTEN
BY VINCE GILLIGAN & VINCENT NGO
PRODUCED
BY AKIVA GOLDSMAN,JAMES LASSITER,MICHAEL MANN & WILL SMITH
DIRECTED
BY PETER BERG
GENRE:ACTION/COMEDY/FANTASY
RATED:AUSTRALIA:M.UK:12A/USA:PG-13
RUNNING
TIME:92 MIN
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Hancock
is a superhero movie which holds a more interesting concept compared
to its comic book inspired contemporaries, for while those films hold
the usual tales of hero's with dual identities who continue to fight
the eternal fight of good VS evil, Hancock's main protagonist is a
crude superhero living in a PC world who must make amends for the
disastrous consequences of his heroic deeds.
Former Fresh Prince and current reigning king of the summer blockbuster
Will Smith plays the tile character Hancock, a boozing loner and all
around prick whose often well intentioned heroism leads to often catastrophic
results and a spiralling out of control collateral damage bill.
During one of his heroic exhibitions, Hancock saves the life of bleeding
heart public relations agent Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) who believes
that Hancock is in need of a dire image change and offers his services
as payback for saving his life.
Hancock begrudgingly agrees and is convinced to voluntarily turn himself
over to the authorities (who have several hundred outstanding citations
against him) and do time in prison in a bid to win public affection
and clean up his act. His stint in prison gives way to one of the
more hilarious scenes thus far this year involving one prisoners head
being thrust into another prisoners rear end! It is crass, but it
works.
With the first half passed what has been presented is an entertaining
urban superhero movie which comes dangerously close to having already
shot its load. However, with a switch of genre and some nicely placed
twists, a love triangle is established between Hancock, Ray, and Ray's
wife Mary (Charlize Theron) which adds some more spice to the unconventional
superhero film.
And so it goes, as the film jumps from comedy to action to drama and
does so quite nicely. Throughout it all the films three leads adapt
very well to the shifts in genre, especially the versatile Will Smith
who hits all of the right notes. Charlize Theron - who I usually do
not look forward to watching due to her often pretentious and dour
portrayals of late - seems to be having the most fun on screen that
I can remember, and low key comedy maestro Jason Bateman continues
to forge a reputation of becoming quite the scene stealer, ala Bill
Murray.
Keeping the film on a steady register is Michael Mann protégé
Peter Berg, who was brought in after several directors attached to
the film before him moved on to different projects. Berg's gritty
tones and shaky cam styling blends very well with the films big budget
fodder, most notably the special and visual effects which are a visceral
treat.
Since Hancock does not play slave to a source material, it
does not come off as generic. The only film which comes close to matching
its concepts would be the excellent animated film The Incredibles.
Yet while its script may be shaky - especially with its talk of Gods
walking amongst men - the films performances and Berg's spirited direction
make up for whatever flaws are present.
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