Lots of Potential, Not Fully Realized

Rating: 6/10 (14 August 2008)

Making a Will Smith character unlikable is not an easy task. Unfortunately, Peter Berg devotes a lot of time and effort up front trying to achieve that very thing, and succeeds in large measure in making you loathe the character Hancock and the film along with it. When things finally kick into gear about half way in, it's almost enough to make you forget the 20-to-30 minutes of squirming uncertainty at the beginning--but not quite. Smith and Charlize Theron are terrific together, and the plot line is surprisingly intriguing, once the film finally gets around to it. Then there's Jason Bateman, who while likable enough, seems to be playing just another version of befuddled Michael Bluth, and is overshadowed by his charismatic costars. With its two dynamic lead actors and half-realized idea, Hancock is a pleasant diversion. But you can't help but think it could have been so much more.