Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

    Hancock with Will Smith was a rather odd superhero flick.  Rather than being the respectable superhero he should have been, he was very ill-regarded rightly so.  While I do believe that Smith is a versatile actor, this movie shocked me somewhat.  Hancock is a lost soul with incredible skills and powers, but has absolutely no regard for his gift or the responsibility of having it.  He just doesn’t care and it isn’t until later in the film that we find out why he’s so oblivious to his status.

     Jason Bateman, of various television sitcoms, does a fine job in his role as a PR executive who is saved by Hancock, subsequently wanting to help the superhero change his image.  His character seemingly wants to make changes in the world overall and truthfully, I saw him as the hero of the story.  He takes Hancock home to meet his family where his wife, Charlize Theron, is suspiciously wary of Hancock.  There is an immediate connection, but the mystery lingers briefly.  Their sweet and impressionable son is taken with Hancock much to his mother’s dismay.

     Hancock agrees to pay for his dishonorable behavior by going to prison and soon develops an improved self-characterization truly making an effort to be a good “superhero.”  The problem is it isn’t until much later in the storyline that we discover there are villains, but they are not very well-developed and just suddenly happen.  Thus, the story is not just trite but, at times, perplexing as well.

     The special effects were often fun as he flies in a very uncoordinated capacity, given that he doesn’t care, is an alcoholic and well, just doesn’t care about anything or anyone causing damage in more ways than one.  To say he was unconventional is obvious, but I found the direction of his character was also creative and initially interesting.  Unfortunately, it is not enough for this film to be anything else but comedic and the special effects average.  The acting is quite good by the main characters, Smith, Theron and Bateman.  The storyline is not so good and thus distracts from the talented actors.

     In conclusion, we enjoyed a fun family movie night and are fans of Will Smith.  Though I don’t consider this an outstanding movie, we do plan to add it to our DVD collection for the sheer entertainment and varied choices in our movie Library.  I was also quite impressed with Jason Bateman and always enjoy the talented Charlize Theron.  I rate this movie 3 out of 5 stars and would recommend it for the entertainment value.

Thanks for reading and rating.

-Kaahu 2009

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12