Hancock

Is he a superhero or a super-zero?

by Alex McNamara 

Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

Directed by: Peter Berg

92 minutes: Certificate 12A

What's the story?
Hancock is not your run of the mill superhero. He may be super, he will save the day, but his heroics fall short of your average Captain America or Superman. Faced with a serious image problem, mostly accountable to his penchant for Jack Daniels and a general disregard for the average tax payer, Hancock enlists the help of idealistic PR guy Ray Embrey to smarten him up, straighten him out and really earn himself the title of hero.

Who's in it?
Hancock is played by Will Smith, who is super smooth as ever. His love interest comes in the form of sexy Charlize Theron, who flips between frumpy housewife and super-vixen in a most entertaining manner. Her husband, and Hancock's slightly chumpish PR manager, is played by the wonderful Jason Bateman who is the only beacon of light in this sadly sub-standard movie.

What's to like?
The whole idea of a nihilistic and lazy superhero is a great idea and sets up some pretty comical set pieces and one-liners. Will Smith does an admirable job at pulling this off, although at times he seems a little too clean cut for the role. There are plenty of gags to keep you giggling throughout however, and the CGI effects are pretty damn hot.

What's not to like?
Despite the story, Hancock just doesn't quite cut it as a superhero movie. There aren't enough super-antics, the villains are super-rubbish and were it not for a weird (and baffling) twist of fate, they would have no chance against the main man. Add to that the fact that Will Smith as a bum just doesn't work, and you're left with a pretty mediocre offering.

Verdict
Hancock is a fairly good romp if you are willing to accept prior to entry that you're not going to be blown away by it in any shape or form. What disappointed us most about this film was that the premise for Hancock seemed so perfect, and yet somehow, the filmmakers managed to muck up entirely.  

Watch the Hancock trailer