Enjoyable...if not reckless like it's hero.

Rating: 6/10 (22 July 2008)

In my eyes, Hancock is definitely what you would define as a "blockbuster". It is an original idea, it's action packed, funny, possesses a sound cast, it is infested with special effects and, generally, has that "blockbuster" feel about it.
It is most definitely an entertaining film and there's no doubt in my mind that you will feel satisfied upon exiting the cinema however, it soon hits you that Hancock could have, and should have, been a better film.
With a concept as original as Hancock, Peter Berg, does not necessarily fail, but is just unable to fully fulfil it's potential. As many a critic has pointed out, the first half of Hancock is great: the plot flows well, Hancock's character is developed very soundly and the spoofs are genuinely amusing. It is often pointed out though, that the second-half of Hancock is what lets it down. I for one, thought exactly the same when I had seen it but, after having a little ponder I decided that the problem was that Hancock was simply too short for it's own good. The events of the second-half are entertaining, don't get me wrong, it's just once the first-half has passed, it feels as though the rest of the film was mindlessly thrown together and it feels awfully rushed. Certain aspects of the story aren't fully explained, Jason Bateman's character is almost completely forgotten, the villain is weak (with no disrespect to Eddie Marsan who gives an effective performance despite this) and the ending, really, is just far too abrupt.
But, like I mentioned before, Hancock is an enjoyable movie. Dialogue is snappy and the three lead characters are all developed very well. Will Smith puts in a sound performance as the lonely, public-scorning superhero Hancock and Charlize Theron is effective as the loving wife of Jason Bateman (who is also effective) giving a softly intimidating performance. Special effects are convincing and nicely portray the results of Hancock's recklessness. The action scenes are exciting enough that they make up for some of the film's low-points during the second-half.
Hancock is definitely an enjoyable movie but it's lack of coherence during it's second-half and dodgy runtime of 92 minutes means it is unable to completely fulfil it's highly potential concept. Entertaining, nonetheless.