failed attempt at something different

Rating: 5/10 (14 July 2008)

Despite his generic-sounding name, John Hancock is not your average, run-of-the-mill reluctant superhero; he's a reluctant superhero with a drinking problem and anger management issues. Disheveled and unshaven in his appearance - and equally rude, crude and belligerent in his demeanor - Hancock lives by himself in a broken down trailer on the outskirts of L.A., a self-appointed outcast, for all intents and purposes, from the society around him. Alternately either inebriated or nursing a hangover, Hancock seems to have as little use for other people as they have for him. For even when he's out and about thwarting crime and rescuing the innocent, he's doing so more out of a sense of duty to his superhero DNA than any overwhelming love for humanity. Plus, his antics usually result in so much collateral damage to any buildings and motor vehicles that happen to be in his vicinity that the ungrateful citizens of the city would just as soon he leave them to their own devices and find some other metropolis that might be more amenable to his services. One day, however, he saves the life of Ray Embrey, an image consultant who believes he can turn the public's perception of Hancock around if only the superhero will allow him to work his magic on him. And perhaps, along the way, Ray will also be able to somehow reach that untapped vein of goodness residing at Hancock's core.
Directed by Peter Berg, "Hancock" deserves kudos for at least attempting to inject some new life into a genre that seems well on its way to cannibalizing itself out of existence through tiresome repetition and massive overkill. It tries for a slightly more intimate experience by concentrating on Hancock's all-too-mortal weaknesses and by not having him go up against one of those arch villains that come as part of the standard package with the genre (Hancock has enough internal demons to wage battle against to have much time left over for anything else, I suppose). Unfortunately, after coming up with a fairly original and promising premise, the filmmakers let it get away from them through a combination of unfocused storytelling, gear-grinding tone changes, and CGI work that seems a trifle on the substandard side for an action film of this size and scope. Part "My Fair Lady," part "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," part "The Pursuit of Happiness," and part whatever-else-they've-managed-to-throw-into-the-mix, the Vincent Ngo/Vince Gilligan screenplay wanders all over the map before finally settling into the slushiest, most rheumy-eyed superhero finale this side of "Spiderman III" (though let me just state right up front that "Hancock" is still miles above that fiasco). That's a shame, too, since Will Smith is as amiable and likable as ever, while Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and adorable little Jae Head (from TV's "Friday Night Lights") are equally appealing in their supporting roles.
"Hancock" is not a bad movie really, just one that feels halfhearted and half-baked, earning it a Gentleman's C+ in the final analysis.