Again, originally written for a college project, so yeah, I would love some tea and a couple of Hobnobs right now.
Hancock is something of a new take on superhero films of recent times. Hancock’s (Will Smith) drunken and rebellious acts of public service and crime fighting soon earn him the honour of being the most hated man in L.A. until he meets P.R. consultant and all-round good egg, Ray Embry (Jason Bateman). After saving his life, Ray soon embarks on a quest to turn Hancock into a model superhero and change the public‘s opinion, despite his wife’s (Charlize Theron) strong reservations.
The film has a wonderful opening sequence in which Hancock is awoken from a drunken stupor by a young child, alerting him to high speed chase/gun battle currently happening. Hancock eventually rouses himself into action and flies off to help, alcohol in hand, smashing through birds, signs and almost a plane on his way.
The camera work is excellent throughout, in the beginning it is constantly swaying and shaking slightly, really highlighting Hancock’s alcoholism, along with excellent shot composition and special effects. This film is incredibly well shot and made…apart from the weird eye close ups. It doesn’t convey intense emotion. It conveys absolutely fuck all and was a terrible choice. And I’ll probably be ripping it off in my next terrible student film. Which I might make about pie. OR JELLY.
Hancock spends the first half of the film being a lovable and comical rogue, threatening to break off his foot in an old woman’s ass, insulting whole swaths of people at one time and launching a young bully into orbit. The first half of the film has several ’Youtube’ clips showing Hancock throwing a whale into a boat and barging into an ice cream van for an ice cream, naked the whole time. It is full of comic gags and lines, reminding me very much of ‘Rush Hour'and ‘Bad Boys’, both films that fall firmly, and comfortably, in the comedy genre.
Hancock eventually decides to let Ray take a chance at re-shaping his public image, just as a warrant is issued for his arrest. Ray convinces him to go to prison, stating that when the city falls into chaos it will beg for him to come back. It is at this point the film starts to stumble. Up to this point the film is an engaging and comical extravaganza, with Hancock being a lovable and hilarious character. Unfortunately Ray has re-habilitated Hancock into a much more generic superhero, with laughable suit to match.
From here the film takes a much more serious turn. Hancock turns into a brooding and serious superhero, leaving behind any hilarity and lovability he had when the film began. It is this which is most disappointing about the film, from the ad campaign for Hancock all the way up to the middle of the film it has been a comical and fresh take on superhero films. However, Peter Berg (director) couldn’t help but try and steer the film into a dramatic quasi-love story and a-generic-as-you-like Superman/Batman/ Spiderman film, featuring a tortured, dark, yet good-at-heart superhero. The film becomes about the kind of superhero it openly mocks earlier in the film. I was half-expecting him to slide down a rope, or some fucking…ass string or whatever the Hell it is that Peter Parker has, at the end of the film and kiss the girl from behind his mask, or something.
In conclusion, I would say this is a well made and very solid film, however the apparent lack of definite genre does leave the viewer slightly stunned and confused as to how to react to the film. It has some truly hilarious moments, but these are all negated by the film maker’s decision to turn it into another generic superhero film.
P.S. YES, I'M VERY FUCKING AWARE IT'S SPIDER GUNK THAT COMES FROM HIS WRISTS, OK?! I'M ALSO *INTENSELY* FUCKING AWARE HANCOCK DOESN'T WEAR A MASK.
JEESUS H. CHRIST, SOME PEOPLE.
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