A waste of talent, and ultimately a waste of time

Rating: 4/10 (14 August 2008)

After watching Hancock, I can't help thinking the producers must have commissioned a hundred different versions of the script and picked one out of a hat. It's a great concept, but is let down by a poor screenplay.
In all fairness, it starts off great, with well-paced and executed action and comedy. Will Smith is predictably brilliant in his role as the eponymous drunk super hero, while Jason Bateman provides capable support.
When the movie takes a more sombre turn, and we begin to look into the reasons for Hancock's alcoholism, things are still going strong. It's a change of pace, sure, but it's well acted and adds depth to the character.
Where things start to go drastically wrong can be pinpointed to one exact moment: when Charlize Theron throws Smith through a wall. How the script writers, producers and the director thought this would be good place to take the movie is a complete mystery. Hancock could have been brilliant if it weren't for the decision to grant this character with super powers, and the extremely weak explanation of them that follows. As for the so-called 'happy ending' it doesn't seem to take into account that the wife is immortal. What's going to happen in 20 years? Is she going to start knocking off the son? When the film starts, it's a nine out of ten, then it drops to a six. By the time it gets to the final act, it's barely scraping a two. This is probably the biggest missed opportunity of recent cinematic history, and I feel sorry for the cast and the director, who do their best to make Hancock into something worthwhile. However, in the end, you really can't polish a pooh.