Hollywood dips its hands into the super hero cookie jar with Hancock

I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...

Earlier I talked about the movie Wanted. But I also mentioned having watched Hancock and I wanted to talk about that too. You would pretty much have to be living in a hole in the ground to not notice the saturation of comic books into mainstream Hollywood. Superheroes are everywhere and there doesn't seem to be much sign of letting up. However, Hollywood hasn't borrowed all of its comic book hysteria. Movies like Sky High, Zoom and My Super Ex-Girlfriend have all played off of this super powered hysteria but all of them have missed the mark until now. Will Smith's Hancock. Again, spoiler warning I'm not going to try and give away too much of this movie.

Hancock is a derelict asshole, he selflessly helps people and is only brought back with anger and expressed frustration from his adoring public. In response he's chosen to drown his sorrows and live his life on the streets. It isn't until he meets public relations whiz Ray Embrey played brilliantly by Jason Bateman of Arrested Development fame. Ray pleads with Hancock to own u p to his dues to the public by serving a prison sentence. It's during this time that Ray tirelessly devotes his efforts into making Hancock a marketable hero.

I love this movie because it's completely original. We have a hero who clearly has inspirations from comic lore but its Will Smith that turns this into a monumental success. Playing a character unlike anything I've ever seen him portray. We see more of Will Smith's incredible acting range (See: Ali and Persuit of Happiness) as he plays Hancock down to his lowest. When we meet the character it's very clear that for Hancock he's hit rock bottom a long time ago.

In prison, he embraces the experience knowing nobody would dare try anything on him in there. He takes part in group therapy sessions and plays hoops outside. There's some hilarious shots of him making baskets from across the yard. He misses one and the ball goes bouncing high out of the penetentary gates. Hancock eyes the ball before leaping out after it. After he lands he looks out into the vastness surrounding the prison and back to the gates. He knows they can't hold him there but that's not what its about. After a moments hesitation he jump back into the prison gates to hold his sentence.

Charlize Theron play's Ray Embrey's wife. She is a great actress and even though she's kind of the weakest link character wise in this film. That's only because Will Smith and Jason Batemen are excellent in their characters. Hancock is a good movie. Check it out with your family and friends. The end of the movie is bogged down, and nearly kills the immense momentum the movie gains from the beginning but it doesn't harm the overall film. It's a fun adventure where we get to see Hancock clean his act up. Will Smith is hilarious and I think this is a movie that even super-heroic cinics could enjoy.

Check out Hancock. Just don't call him an asshole!

PEACE