Surprisingly poignant and human.

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2008)

After a terrible marketing campaign, which included less-than-stellar trailers and an awful viral website, I fully expected 'Hancock' to be this summer's colossal trainwreck. I generally like to think I can get a good read from a film before it's released, and the vibes I was getting from 'Hancock' were downright sour. Well, I was wrong. Very wrong. While it's not a great movie by any means, 'Hancock' is a surprisingly potent film with a great, original twist on the superhero brand.
Audiences have been given no less than ten superhero blockbusters in only a few short years, each one following a strict playbook. Sometimes it works very well, but we've also had our fair share of stinkers. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before a film explores the other side, and that it may not be greener. Hancock is a loner, an alcoholic, very unpopular, and while he usually nabs the bad guys in the end, he leaves a trail of devastation in his wake. The only one of his kind he tells us, a superhero with a mysterious past.
It's this original concept that makes 'Hancock' one of the more refreshing pieces of summer escapism. It's choppy, and at times rather heavy-handed, but it sure is fun and enjoyable. Will Smith takes a character who could have been a one-note bore and does a great job adding a real personal touch that adds a great deal of depth as he battles his inner self. He brings the comedy with him, and it's surprisingly effective. Even the great Jason Bateman finds himself in a great supporting role, and Charlize Theron has her moment to shine as Hancock's dark past is uncovered.
'Hancock' takes on the hand-held camera technique, something that I thought would seriously weaken the film. But it actually adds an additional element of reality, a documentary-esquire approach that ends up working in its favor. Peter Berg's personal direction works for a film like this, and he does a decent job splicing 'Hancock' in two. One part comedy, one part action. It leaves a lot to be desired, but a twist that helps us understand Hancock's true nature helps transform this picture into something more poignant and human. I only wish this final cut was longer, allowing 'Hancock' to bring things to a more coherent close.
Visually, 'Hancock' is a great achievement. Though there is no clearly defined villain, it could be argued that Hancock is his own worst enemy, the film boils over with an exciting and effects savvy climax that offers one of the better finales of the summer season. It seems to end once it begins to scratch the surface, but for what it is, 'Hancock' is a solid summer blockbuster with more on its mind than your average offering. The humor is there, the story is there, the characters are there, the heart is there, and though it's definitely flawed, 'Hancock' is not bad at all. In fact, it can all be seen as a strange but affectionate look at America's place in the world.
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