Hancock

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Fourth of July from Sony Pictures is director Peter Berg’s unconventional look at heroes with “Hancock”.

The film is the story of Hancock (Will Smith) a down and out Los Angeles superhero who just can’t seem to get it right. The public is tired of his antics and his no-care attitude has Hancock diving into the bottle and – more trouble.

Until he saves the life of Ray Embry (Jason Bateman), a PR man with a big heart trying to save the world in his own way. As a way to thank and help Hancock, Ray starts a whole campaign to turn Hancock’s image around with the public.

Ray’s young son Aaron (Jae Head) truly cares for Hancock but his wife Mary (Charlize Theron) can only see all the problems Hancock causes and writes him off as a lost cause.

Doing a little time in the slammer brings Hancock, and the public, around to give the superhero one more chance. Hancock reveals that he doesn’t remember much about his life and now must uncover who he is, where he comes from and how to take his responsibility as a superhero seriously.

FINAL WORD: Will Smith is fast becoming the July 4^th go-to-guy. His history of holiday openings of “Independence Day”, and “Men in Black” are strong. Audiences love this guy and are drawn to his choices of roles and strong sense of himself as an actor.

His role as “Hancock” shows a more vulnerable side to being a superhero. Playing beside him is Jason Bateman who shines in his role as Embry. Theron, as Mary, is reserved but for a very good reason ergo the twist in the film.

Theron says, “I don’t really compare “Hancock” to other super hero films, this is as unusual and different as they come”. Asking why Smith chose this role, especially after the roll of a down and out Dad in “Pursuit of Happyness”, Smith says, “I have been building and connecting the characters of trauma in my films and I have been getting wonderful characters in an effort to do that, Hancock is one of those.”

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Hancock” three tubs of popcorn out of five. The Fourth of July is on a Friday and what better way to start your weekend with a bang because there are heroes, there are superheros – and then there’s Hancock!