1/2 

by Osanna V.

Starts July 3, 2008

Will Smith and Charlize Theron return together to the screen (previously, The Legend of Bagger Vance) to star in a quirky action hero movie with an unexpected twist. Jason Bateman (child star from Teen Wolf Too) is an excellent addition to the cast.

Hancock (Smith) is a super hero with an attitude. Abandoned as a child in a hospital after losing his memory, the fact that no one came to claim him has soured his disposition towards the world and led him to drown his sorrows in alcohol. At the same time... he can fly, he does have amazing strength, he can walk into a storm of bullets unharmed, and he does feel “obliged” to rescue the citizens of Los Angeles whenever the need arises. He regards human life as valuable, everything else is irrelevant, so the claims for destroyed public and private property that rise into the millions in the process is getting the local inhabitants somewhat irritated. Especially as Hancock ignores them.

Though he won't acknowledge it, Hancock is in serious need of a good PR agent, who makes a timely appearance in the person of Ray Embrey (Bateman). Grateful for the fact that Hancock has saved his life, Ray insists on helping him improve his image. The super hero is dead against the idea until he meets Ray's wife, Mary (Theron). Hancock's total disregard for anything but human life leads to some very funny scenes in the first part of the movie. Later on, as his relationship with the Embrey family develops, we think we begin to get a sense of where he's coming from and the reasons for the way he is. The truth, once revealed however, is unexpected and gives the story an unusual and interesting twist.

The casting was very successful. Next to Academy Award nominee Smith and winner Theron, Bateman is a very likeable and believable part of the trio that carries the story.