Perhaps modern audiences are ready for this type of anti-hero, a character you wish you could hate, but somehow, you understand his plight and hope he gets his act together. Because, let’s face it--if Hancock with all of his superpower can’t succeed in Los Angeles, who can?
Will Smith as Hancock
John Hancock, played by Will Smith, is a morose, homophobic, angry drunk who also happens to possess godlike strength, agility, and flight. Additionally, he suffers from amnesia and cannot remember any of his past.
But a superhero’s past is essential; it gives him a reason to fight. Superheroes need motive, and Hancock lacks true motive. He wishes to use his power for good, but he’s impulsive. He fixes any problems he stumbles upon as quickly as possible regardless of the consequences, and then he returns to swigging from a bottle of alcohol. He rescues or punishes people using emotion only; he needs to learn to think logically before he acts. Instead, he causes Los Angeles more harm than good, and the citizens turn on him.
Will Smith gives Hancock’s character the cocky attitude and nasty demeanor necessary for the role while somehow also winning the heart of his audience. Smith, of course, is known for his July blockbuster Independence Day, and even more impressive, his heartfelt performance in The Pursuit of Happyness. While this performance will not be remembered as one of Smith’s best, it does show that Will Smith’s likeable personality can even transcend through the persona of a self-indulgent alcoholic who swears at children.
Jason Bateman as Ray Embrey
Then along comes public relations executive Ray Embrey, played by Jason Bateman. Hancock rescues Ray from an oncoming train, and Ray feels indebted to him. He believes that Hancock’s bad publicity, especially on YouTube, is ruining his superpower capacity.
The friendship of Embrey and Hancock drives the plot, and the writers created a powerful contrast between the two. Embrey provides the hope in the film. Bateman was well chosen for the role, portraying a character who wishes he could save the world but has no powers of his own other than his undying faith in people. Embrey’s character is rather two-dimensional; when he discovers his wife’s secret, it barely scratches his optimistic surface.
Charlize Theron as Mary Embrey
The most remarkable character in the film is Mary Embrey, Ray’s wife, played by Charlize Theron. She provides the plot’s major twist, and Theron’s acting provides the dramatic irony needed to carry the plot. Initially, the coincidences were too convenient, but the writers later used these coincidences as part of Hancock’s lost history.
On screen, Theron is her normal, gorgeous self, and her subtle body language throughout the film foreshadows the inevitable twist . She serves as a crucial character in an otherwise predictable plotline.
Special Effects in Hancock
The special effects in Hancock live up to expectations. The sound alone stuns and jolts the audience each time Hancock lands and tears through the cement. Some of the visuals are fascinating to watch, but in several scenes the visuals went overboard. The opening sequence when Hancock flies drunk with an open bottle appeared fake and forced, and the scene in prison when one guy’s head is shoved up another guy’s…well, let’s leave that to your imagination for now.
Humor and PG-13 Rating of Hancock
The PG-13 rating is not based on violence in the film; the rating reflects the crude humor and language. If this film had been pared down, younger audiences could have enjoyed cheering on this anti-hero. The lesson in Hancock would also appeal to younger audiences: You have the potential to change your experience by changing your attitude and using your gifts to help people.
Instead, the writers focused on a teen and adult crowd, having Hancock balance the line between witty and inappropriate humor. Again, the scene in the prison went for the quick, disturbing gasp and chuckle. Do we really want to stoop to crass entertainment? Come on! This scene destroyed the possible integrity of the film, showing how a broken, angry superperson changes from being a social misfit to finding his place as a law-abiding, admirable superhero.
Three out of five stars.
Visit the Official Hancock Site for more information.
