Hancock

Name: Hancock
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Crime
Released: July 2, 2008
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Will Smith

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 559 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 559 Ratings

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Hancock

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 2, 2008 | R

Starring: Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Will Smith

Summary: There are heroes… there are superheroes… and then there’s Hancock. With great power comes great responsibility – everyone knows that – everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-droppingThere are heroes… there are superheroes… and then there’s Hancock. With great power comes great responsibility – everyone knows that – everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough – as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares what other people think – until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey, and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge yet – and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary, insists that he’s a lost cause. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Director: Peter Berg

Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

David Denby

Hancock suggests new visual directions and emotional tonalities for pop. It's by far the most enjoyable big movie of the summer. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Hancock is a lot of fun, if perhaps a little top-heavy with stuff being destroyed. Smith makes the character more subtle than he has to be, more filled with self-doubt, more willing to learn. Read full review

J.R. Jones

As popcorn movies go, this is fleet, funny, and even thoughtful: its central question, nicely underplayed by director Peter Berg, is why power and altruism never seem to intersect. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Hancock can revel in schmuckery, of course, because you and I and cute kids and peaceful oldies worldwide know in advance that there's no way on Hollywood's green earth Will Smith will ever play someone seriously, dangerously unsavory. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

More intelligent than most summer blockbusters and features at its center a thought-out and committed performance by Will Smith. But in the end it's merely ALMOST good. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

It's a strange feeling to see the summer's most promising premise self-destruct into something bizarre and unsatisfying, but that is the Hancock experience. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Any notions of demolishing black stereotypes -- and what else could have possessed Mr. Smith to do this? -- are dashed by the coarseness of it all, and by the narrative incoherence; a surprising plot twist turns a sloppy action-comedy into a totally different movie, and an even worse one. Read full review

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User Reviews

Shikamaru1369

Feb 17, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's an awesome superhero movie! Who knew that a woman was his kryptonite! … Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MichaelD

Dec 29, 2010

Whenever I first watched this movie, I just thought wow! Why I like it is because it's unique to other superhero movies. One of the best films I ever watched.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

Critic2012

Apr 17, 2013

is an hilarious twist on the modern-day version of a superhero. He destroys cities while fighting crime, and he is often intoxicated during the process. He is rude and crass to everyone he meets. Does this guy need help? Sure, and its going to be a great experience to watch.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BillK

Jan 10, 2009

It was just OK. I would have felt rated it lower had I paid movie theater prices to see it... glad it was just a $1 DVD rental from RedBox...Not one of Will Smith's best. Not that his acting was poor, it just wasn't the best storylines.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

oDjento

Jun 10, 2015

I watched this film as a random pick and I have to say i was pleasantly surprised... for at least the first half of the film. Will Smith is very entertaining as John Hancock and watching his character not give a fork is great. His path of redemption ends up in his antics not being as fun butI watched this film as a random pick and I have to say i was pleasantly surprised... for at least the first half of the film. Will Smith is very entertaining as John Hancock and watching his character not give a fork is great. His path of redemption ends up in his antics not being as fun but you can see why they would have to have him become a 'better person'. The second half of the film becomes a bit more boring and not as exciting, however the introduction into that portion of the film was a nice twist and was comically quite entertaining. The action film suffers from a common fault many others like it have; they start off having fun with the writing but then tone it down and make the film become a little more serious and emotional to try add some sort of pathos and conclusion to the film. Still, if you're in your house and your mates come over and want to watch a film just stick it on, it's highly enjoyable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SuperheroMovies

Aug 5, 2013

As usual, Will Smith is game and does a fine job as the hero, but the film is ultimately too derivative and lacks the heart that a superhero film needs to be successful.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

WallE

Jun 27, 2008

No. Just no. HORRIBLE execution. Don't let them steal your money!

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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15	#15 Most Discussed Movie of 2008
40	#40 Most Shared Movie of 2008