Hancock
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 2, 2008
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 559 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
306
Mixed:
172
Negative:
81
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
MichaelH.Jul 6, 2008
As a satire and comedy it is hilarious, as an action movie - the special effects were awesome, but the story was pretty damn weak after the first half of the film. I can see why it got somewhat poor reviews - it's worth seeing purely As a satire and comedy it is hilarious, as an action movie - the special effects were awesome, but the story was pretty damn weak after the first half of the film. I can see why it got somewhat poor reviews - it's worth seeing purely for the comedy though.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
4
askewreviewsJun 19, 2013
presents an interesting premise, but is disappointingly messy in its delivery. The film simply tries to be too much at once. The first half has a huge focus on humour, and while somewhat entertaining, the jokes are cheap and crude. In the presents an interesting premise, but is disappointingly messy in its delivery. The film simply tries to be too much at once. The first half has a huge focus on humour, and while somewhat entertaining, the jokes are cheap and crude. In the second half abruptly turns into a painfully lame melodrama. I felt the romance element between Charlize Theron and Will Smiths' characters was totally unnecessary. Jason Bateman steals the show and is one of the few redeeming factors in this mess of a film. Let's hope that the upcoming sequel has a better idea of what it wants to be and gets the formula right this time.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
5
grandpajoe6191Sep 24, 2011
"Hancock" has a great super start with a interesting premise. However as the movie progresses, you soon know the movie's worthless.
9 of 10 users found this helpful91
All this user's reviews
6
KidAJul 15, 2008
Smith's self affliction gets old pretty soon. as does the plot, mired in its own indecisiveness. was this really the spawn of the watchmen chronicles? its either a weak morally charged story that forces introspection, or its one of Smith's self affliction gets old pretty soon. as does the plot, mired in its own indecisiveness. was this really the spawn of the watchmen chronicles? its either a weak morally charged story that forces introspection, or its one of those weak summer action pseudo cutesy comedy with a vintage penchant for tepid plot structure. pick one and you may be marginally satisfied. trying to squeeze both in doesn't fit and makes for a luridly awkward story.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JoeRJul 6, 2008
What the hell was Peter Berg thinking? The first 50-55 minutes of this film was brilliance. Pure brilliance. Not soon after, Berg lost his mind. It's as if they brought in M. Knight Shyamalan to write and direct the final half hour of What the hell was Peter Berg thinking? The first 50-55 minutes of this film was brilliance. Pure brilliance. Not soon after, Berg lost his mind. It's as if they brought in M. Knight Shyamalan to write and direct the final half hour of the film. The first hour was memorizing. The script was extremely amusing and tight. The last half hour was a piece of cow dung. As a movie that had forest fire potential, it faded to nothing more than an also ran.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
ShawnD.Jul 6, 2008
David Denby compares the chemist of Smith and Theron to Bogart and Bacall...Is he on crack? The abrupt plot shift is a wtf moment that did not ring true, almost like it was two plots combined in one movie...multiple writers? Iron Man and David Denby compares the chemist of Smith and Theron to Bogart and Bacall...Is he on crack? The abrupt plot shift is a wtf moment that did not ring true, almost like it was two plots combined in one movie...multiple writers? Iron Man and Hulk are much better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
EddieB.Jul 6, 2008
I didn't care much for Hancock. Here's a guy with abilities normal people can only dream about and he spends 80 years moping around and acting like a jerk. It's not fully explained why he acted like a jerk for so long or how I didn't care much for Hancock. Here's a guy with abilities normal people can only dream about and he spends 80 years moping around and acting like a jerk. It's not fully explained why he acted like a jerk for so long or how he acquired his super powers in the first place, but no matter. Things get destroyed, and it's fun to watch. We even get several chuckles along the way courtesy of Hancock and his PR specialist (Bateman). Late in the story, we finally learn of the interesting history between Smith and Theron's respective characters--a dynamic which should have been explored and explained a bit more. Instead, we're taken straight to a final underwhelming showdown (one where Smith makes his super-emotional, pursed lipped Oscar face) and a somewhat predictable resolution. In other words, Hancock moves too quickly from climax to conclusion. (That's what she said. Ha. Ha.) It was good for me, though.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
JustinB.Jul 7, 2008
First 1/2 is pretty good, (otherwise this movie would get a 2). The twist has to rank as one of the most pointless and unnecessary in all of history. Second half is one of the sappiest, poorly written, focus group tested films in recent First 1/2 is pretty good, (otherwise this movie would get a 2). The twist has to rank as one of the most pointless and unnecessary in all of history. Second half is one of the sappiest, poorly written, focus group tested films in recent memory. Blech.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
TravisS.Jul 8, 2008
Over all this movie was ok. The flying could have been done a lot better every time will smith jumped off something is looked like he is 100% CG.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
MarkB.Aug 1, 2008
Don't get me wrong. as Debbie (Leslie Mann) in Knocked Up plaintively put it, "I LIKE Spider-Man"...and Iron Man, and Hellboy...given that every third summer action movie of the last few years seems to have been a superhero flick, what Don't get me wrong. as Debbie (Leslie Mann) in Knocked Up plaintively put it, "I LIKE Spider-Man"...and Iron Man, and Hellboy...given that every third summer action movie of the last few years seems to have been a superhero flick, what choice do I have? But as enjoyable as many of the big screen Big Two adaptations (DC and Marvel) have been, I mostly prefer my zap-pow-crunches to be delivered from outside the box, because lesser-known adaptations and original screen creations can devise their own mythologies and ask questions that fanboy pressure can bar the established brand names from doing. I loved Pixar's The Incredibles, which examined the life of a superhero family whose powers were not only unappreciated but outlawed, M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable, which demonstrated how painful the life of a man who doesn't experience serious injuries can be, and the vastly underrated Dark Horse adaptation Mystery Men, an often hysterically funny and surprisingly rather sweet treat dealing with folks who have no superpowers whatsoever but conduct themselves as though they do. And I WANTED to love Hancock, but here's an example of a movie that would actually have done well to have been a bit LESS ambitious. The title character (Will Smith) is a drunken, self-loathing misanthrope who raises curmudgeonliness to the level of near-psychosis, and whose superhuman acts are roughly equivalent to a Boy Scout who not only drags a little old lady across the street who doesn't want to go, but gets her hit by a car in the process. Clearly a public relations makeover is in order, and the nicest PR man in film history (Jason Bateman) is up to the task. We know most of this from the trailers, and it's mostly amusing; had Hancock stuck to this simple but sturdy premise, we all would have fared the better for it. Unfortunately, there is the matter of the much-whispered-about Big Twist, which is not only notably jarring but seems like a cheat because the moviemakers provide too few script clues ahead of time to let the moviegoers have the joy of doing the math. (I sort of halfway figured it out in advance, but only by realizing that one big-name cast member was suspiciously not being given enough to do, looking at my watch, and saying to myself, "I'll bet THAT changes soon!") Moreover, the shakeup leads to a series of climactic, big-scale action set pieces that director Peter Berg (The Kingdom; the agony-of-defeat anti-sports flick Friday Night Lights) is incapable of staging or shooting. Robert Wilonsky accurately described Berg's directing style as angry; his first behind-the-camera effort was his best by far--1998's uncompromising, bracingly offensive and very, very funny Very Bad Things, but Berg's problem is that he films every subsequent movie he's made the exact same way, whether the material calls for it or not. What Hancock DOES prove, however, is Will Smith's unassailable charisma even when playing a totally unlikable character; small wonder he's known as The Man Who Owns July 4th. Smith is great at taking mass audiences to places that maybe they'd rather not go without him; he made 2006's punishing and depressing The Pursuit of Happyness that Christmas season's second biggest hit. As unsatisfying as Hancock's third act is, Smith still deserves credit for roping in $200 million for a movie that by all rights should've had shorter legs than the director of Iron Man ended up with at the end of Very Bad Things. Hey, did I mention that that one is STILL Peter Berg's best movie?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
BartM.Jul 10, 2008
Started out as an enjoyable action-comedy, then completely falls apart at the plot twist, becoming dismal and plodding. The jerky hand-held camera work grows old quickly, and is a gimmicky contrived annoyance, making some shots annoying to Started out as an enjoyable action-comedy, then completely falls apart at the plot twist, becoming dismal and plodding. The jerky hand-held camera work grows old quickly, and is a gimmicky contrived annoyance, making some shots annoying to simply watch. One of the worst endings ever.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
ElaineJ.Jul 25, 2008
I am a Will Smith Fan and the first half of the movie was fun. But the rest of the movie makes no sense and makes the whole film a bummer.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JudyTJul 3, 2008
Hancock suffers from really bad writing. What a ridiculous and unnecessary relationship and back story for a superhero. Couldn't they think of anything better than that.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
EvanR.Jul 3, 2008
after "I Am Legend", I was all set for another Smith blockbuster, but this was a huge disappointment. it was so bad...they totally threw the plot out the window for no reason and the dialogue was so, so hokey. it's like they stopped after "I Am Legend", I was all set for another Smith blockbuster, but this was a huge disappointment. it was so bad...they totally threw the plot out the window for no reason and the dialogue was so, so hokey. it's like they stopped filming the original movie and started on the sequel, ultimately finishing neither. there's more; I could go on and on, but why bother? just DON'T SEE IT, no matter how cool the previews make it look… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JosephAJul 3, 2008
Not very good. Disjointed and confused. Doesn't really seem to know what the hell it wants to be.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
JohnDJul 5, 2008
For how much hype this movie had and from the great previews I was actually pretty excited to see this movie especially since I love Will Smith. To find out it was barely an average movie was disappointing. Sometimes you see previews and For how much hype this movie had and from the great previews I was actually pretty excited to see this movie especially since I love Will Smith. To find out it was barely an average movie was disappointing. Sometimes you see previews and worry that all they did was just show you the total number of good scenes in a movie and with Hancock pretty much all of the interesting scenes 'were' shown in the preview. Not a good summer movie. A good rent. Maybe.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
RobertT.Jul 5, 2008
Started off well. The first third or so had a gritty feel that I liked, and (in my opinion) is something that more superheroes need. Then the whole plot twist involving Charlize Theron halfway through killed that for me. It's a good Started off well. The first third or so had a gritty feel that I liked, and (in my opinion) is something that more superheroes need. Then the whole plot twist involving Charlize Theron halfway through killed that for me. It's a good idea to start with, but in the end, turns Hancock as a character seems like just another spandex-wearing-invincible-super-strong-Superman-type character come to save the day.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JamesBJul 7, 2008
Would have been much better if the jiggling camera had stopped long enough to see what was on the screen. Horribly directed. The worst directing I've seen in years. Jiggling for no purpose is not "artistic"...just annoying. Berg should Would have been much better if the jiggling camera had stopped long enough to see what was on the screen. Horribly directed. The worst directing I've seen in years. Jiggling for no purpose is not "artistic"...just annoying. Berg should stick with acting. If you go--sit as far away from the screen as possible.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
ShammyShamJul 7, 2008
It was good enough to sit through. Started off crappy but got a lil better nearing the middle to end, but it still wasn't saying much. It was ok, I think the story was left untold, also the title didn't hold much of a candle to It was good enough to sit through. Started off crappy but got a lil better nearing the middle to end, but it still wasn't saying much. It was ok, I think the story was left untold, also the title didn't hold much of a candle to what the movie was about.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
SteveT.Jul 7, 2008
Hancock was alright. My wife liked it more than I did. The plot was weak, but it was a fun movie. There was one thing that really bothered me.. The only swearword people seem to know to insult Hankcock is A-whole..that is it..they say it Hancock was alright. My wife liked it more than I did. The plot was weak, but it was a fun movie. There was one thing that really bothered me.. The only swearword people seem to know to insult Hankcock is A-whole..that is it..they say it like 50 times in the movie. Other than that I'd say Hancock is good popcorn flick..see if you are bored.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
DavidR.Jul 7, 2008
An unsatisfying action flick that lacks the intensity and humor of other "super hero" films that have been released this year. Will Smith does the best he can with this film's poor script, but even with his amazing starpower he An unsatisfying action flick that lacks the intensity and humor of other "super hero" films that have been released this year. Will Smith does the best he can with this film's poor script, but even with his amazing starpower he can't save this film from mediocrity. This film just doesn't work on any level which is a big disappointment. Throughout this film I kept telling myself, "Okay, this is when it's going to start to be good...". Please do yourself a favor and save yourself some gas money, and wait until you can rent this film: it's just not worth the price of admittance.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
DavidM.Jul 9, 2008
I really, Really, Really wanted to like this movie, but for the first time EVER, i was bored at the cinema and i wanted to leave. Not to say to you not see the movie... just not in cinema!!! just rent the DVD.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
LaurenSJan 20, 2009
I tried to give the movie a chance; like i do with all movies if it lacks humor, or even just a back bone to the story. Hancock failed on that account and it also had no structure to the CGI, or even the plot in particular. Movies usually I tried to give the movie a chance; like i do with all movies if it lacks humor, or even just a back bone to the story. Hancock failed on that account and it also had no structure to the CGI, or even the plot in particular. Movies usually have their own structure, and their own meaning but seriously, the only thing i can say is Hancock is an average movie. I have absolutely no feelings for it. It's one of the "seen films" it's not good or bad. It's just there sitting on the DVD shelf. Positives: If it truly is bad, i'm glad i had no interest in it at all, it's it good, it's bad because you don't know if you like it or not. Average movie, not horrible but not even memorable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
ChanceR.Jul 1, 2008
CT is beautiful and Bateman is funny. Smith makes too many faces. The kid actor is charming. Would be a better tv series.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
JessE.Jul 2, 2008
Truly Disappointing film. Everything misfires. The only thing thing good in the film is Jason Bateman's performance otherwise chalk this up as a misfire that will probably do $200m plus. 4 outof 10.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
DylanA.Jul 22, 2008
The movie was satisfying and funny in general. Will Smith was sweet, and the other actors were pretty cool too. The plot actually felt flowed pretty well, and I really enjoyed the kick plot twist. The whole idea of the movie was awesome, but The movie was satisfying and funny in general. Will Smith was sweet, and the other actors were pretty cool too. The plot actually felt flowed pretty well, and I really enjoyed the kick plot twist. The whole idea of the movie was awesome, but the coordination of scenes and progression of events was somewhat difficult to follow. Also, the plot about the guys trying to kill hancock was undercut way to much for its significance in the final scene. The camerawork was the worst. It really was terrible, and detracted a ton from what could have been a great movie. The camera seemed to always be at least half zoomed in, giving everything an unrealistic and undramatic visual distortion. This also enhanced the shakiness of all the handheld scenes, which got me sighing with relief whenever a tripod was briefly put into use. The overall feeling was drunken, which is not fun at all, and several COMPLETELY unnecessary camera zooms were like shouts of "you're watching a movie! it's not real!". A good chunk of the money that went to the special effects should have gone to getting a half-decent cinematographer, because the camerawork flat out sucked. If it hadn't, I think hancock could have been much better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
MehJul 4, 2008
Pros: First half was great. Slightly funny. Great soundtrack. Cons: Second half was disastrous. Blatant product placement. Backstory needs further explanation. Overall: It's just a very plain movie that had the potential of being a lot better.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
RickW.Jul 4, 2008
The Good...1st hour is creative, funny, and with excellent special effects. The Bad...the Second hour is weird, disjointed, dark, and ultimalely boring. The whole thing would have been much better without the incessant crude language.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
JamesP.Jul 9, 2008
It starts out well with a promising character that will crush the stereotypical superhero, but towards the end the plot seems half-baked and cheesy. Basically there is a character twist that is completely unnecessary and the movie goes It starts out well with a promising character that will crush the stereotypical superhero, but towards the end the plot seems half-baked and cheesy. Basically there is a character twist that is completely unnecessary and the movie goes downhill from there. It literally is like watching a player miss a free throw because you see the flaw and feel disappointed from there on.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
BrianH.Aug 17, 2008
This movie was good up until a point. The secret "twist" everyone is talking about singly ruined the film. After the twist the plot became convoluted and messy. You should never get the feeling while watching a movie that the people who made This movie was good up until a point. The secret "twist" everyone is talking about singly ruined the film. After the twist the plot became convoluted and messy. You should never get the feeling while watching a movie that the people who made the film just started to make things up half-way through. This could have been a far better movie, but wasn't.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JohnhJan 19, 2009
So-so. This movie is pretty weak. I watched this and Iron man over the weekend. I would say that this movie is one you can skip.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
GerrickC.Nov 25, 2008
A pointless plot coupled with a pointless theme makes this movie-- everyone say it at once, "Pointless."
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
NickP.Nov 26, 2008
The first time I saw the trailers for this movie I was intrigued and the first half or 2/3rds of the movie met my expectations. But then "The Twist" as it has been termed was thrown at the audience. It was a rushed concept that requires 30 The first time I saw the trailers for this movie I was intrigued and the first half or 2/3rds of the movie met my expectations. But then "The Twist" as it has been termed was thrown at the audience. It was a rushed concept that requires 30 minutes to properly introduce, but instead it spans the length of 30 seconds. It seemed too contrived and it became a distraction of disbelief for the remainder of the movie. Looking back on it afterward if done properly it might have been an okay twist, but there are too many holes in the story as is and really the movie would have been better served keeping it simpler. All that said the movie was still intriguing to watch for what it was. Not bad. Not good. Just an average movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
PaulL.Jul 15, 2008
This story doesn't make any sense at all. [***SPOILER***] I mean Charlize Theron character and will smith both have superpowers. But she never associated with crime. They just battle a group of lazy powerless hoodlums.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
hollycJul 17, 2008
As I think it was Roper who said, 'I'd really like to read the original Hancock script, thrown out in favor of what ended up on screen" seriously--you can tell there was a great concept at first and then something else happened? As I think it was Roper who said, 'I'd really like to read the original Hancock script, thrown out in favor of what ended up on screen" seriously--you can tell there was a great concept at first and then something else happened? Like a whole 'nother angle (or three) was tacked on and you end up with this frustrating, inconsistent mess in the end. It really stinks of just way too many cooks in the kitchen. If you haven't seen it yet, I'd wait for it on DVD--especially with the caliber of other superhero flicks out there (Dark Knight, Iron Man, even Hellboy is better).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JayH.Nov 25, 2008
Very uneasy mixture of comedy, drama and fantasy. They shouldn't have complicated it so much and kept it simple. The performances are fine, the special effects are terrific. Good score. It just doesn't always work.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
roddersj04May 11, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a strange movie, as the first half is easily a brilliantly funny superhero movie, but the second half ruins that with some tacked on plot twist. So, i'll begin by reviewing the film in two halves. First Half: John **** (Will Smith) is an alcoholic superhero who is hated by the public but doesnt give a damn. Then he saves Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) who decides to try and help **** change his image and become a better superhero. Smith plays this role very well, perfectly portraying the anti-hero, a superhero who trys and does good but ends up making things worse, like tossing a whale back in the water only to crush some boats. This character is hilariously brilliant because **** does things that a normal Superhero wouldn't, shoving an inmates head up another inmates ass and throwing a kid high in the air for calling him an **** Its these kind of things that make **** a fresh air from the clean cut superheroes. To make the public realise how much **** is needed, he gets put in prison, which is quite really ****s choice to be there, as he could fly himself out of there at anytime he chooses. With this hero, we know that he will end up rehabilitated and a better superhero. The best parts of the film is when ****s himself is far from clean cut and the unrehabilitated mess that we expected. When he's rehabilitated, he's still quite a cool character, but it feels like a little something has been lost. Second Half: Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), turns out to also possess similar powers to ****, then turning out to be ****s wife from before, as they have lived together for about 3000 years. This plot twist seems to come out of nowhere, just like the writers had drawn up the first half and then gone "we still have to fill the rest of the film", come up with a random plot twist and then taken the film from there. Then there's some guff about two "immortals" (as **** and Mary are known) being too close together, their powers negate each other? What? So how did they survive 3000 years together if they could barely survive 92 minutes together? Also, how did **** lose his memory? Attacked in an alley. Also, a random villian that **** foiled before comes back for REVENGE! **** cant beat him, so Jason Bateman saves the day! **** also has to jump away in order for him and Mary to get their powers back, and reloactes to New York. All in all, this film was fine for the first half, then devolved into a convulted mess, meshing random ideas to try and make the film "cooler". The first half could've been a movie of its own. It could've been made longer, more of **** drunk and have hints to Mary and ****s past and save the mythoology for the sequel. Also, plot hole: If the kid is Marys, what does it mean, an immortal having a son? Is the son gonna get powers, will he get immortality and stay a kid for at least a while? Untouched upon. The first half I give 60% and the second half I give 20%, so all together, I give the film 40%… Expand
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5
TokyochuchuJan 14, 2014
Hancock has some fun to it; who doesn't like a grumpy superhero who hurtles rude kids into the sky? But both the lack of an interesting villain and general identity restrain the film from being anything else than mildly entertaining.
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4
J-ShapAug 27, 2011
This film is a misfire. It begins with a great spin on the concept of a superhero, and ends with a half-baked idea for a lame sequel, that they idiotically decided to patch into a killer film.
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5
TyranianApr 18, 2020
Smith does a good job and there's some good humour but the plot has too many inconsistencies.
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6
StevenFMay 11, 2013
Time and time again its saddening to see a film start of with such promise and flare, but then it begins to unravel, gradually crumbling under its own mistakes and attempts to bring a story too far than it is capable of stretching, fits allTime and time again its saddening to see a film start of with such promise and flare, but then it begins to unravel, gradually crumbling under its own mistakes and attempts to bring a story too far than it is capable of stretching, fits all of the above.
Will Smith finally takes on a superhero in the form of John a being from another world who doesn't quite fit into the place he's living in now, Los Angeles. Sure he might help the police when trying to stop the bad guys, but he he has a particular knack for destroying everything in his path, and just doesn't care what the world thinks of his alcoholic and care-free attitude.
When he saves Ray (Jason Bateman) from a train track fiasco, he unwillingly agrees to let PR man Ray to give him a new image so that people will like the infamous superhero once again, and realise how much they miss him. So when agrees to prison time until the city need his superpowers once more, he contemplates different ways of life, something which he feels whenever he is around Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), a woman is not quite certain of, in terms of her personality and tension with himself.
Its after these events that the film starts to lose its way, it almost becomes an unwanted thriller, the comedy is gone and the fun of the plot was lost around the half hour mark. The characters can be interesting, sure, but the movie very much promotes a backstory and I think the writing took a hit on the other development of the characters when the film became a simple tit for tat.
Will Smith, however, proves that he can personify any role that he takes, personality, wits and humour are all present, but its certainly not what we would typically see in a Will Smith film, while Jason Bateman is unfortunately quite underused throughout the film, while Charlize Theron has a bigger role as the film unfolds, but again the weak plot does these characters no justice.
While the film does offer a more realistic approach to a lone superhero, it doesn't last very long, more time should have been spent giving freedom in the film, and maybe some points of the story could have been better utilised in a sequel.
Certainly not a bad film, but one which had all the makings of a memorable superhero comedy, but unfortunately becomes a victim of its own undoing.… Expand
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5
ninja_dolphinJun 10, 2014
Hancock starts off really promising, Will Smith is great as the drunken anti-hero and a fun plot is set into motion with Jason Bateman's character helping him improve his image. The first half of the movie is thoroughly entertaining, but halfHancock starts off really promising, Will Smith is great as the drunken anti-hero and a fun plot is set into motion with Jason Bateman's character helping him improve his image. The first half of the movie is thoroughly entertaining, but half way through it all falls apart. There's a twist that is completely unnecessary thrown in and the movie starts going nowhere.

It is clear that the script for this movie was re-written several times as there is no running plot and instead it feels like 3 different ones mixed into a mess of a movie.

Not a terrible movie, but not one that I would watch again.… Expand
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5
SuperheroMoviesAug 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.
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5
MovieGuysOct 13, 2013
Smith delivers no new goods to the picture, and is a jumbled mess of booze, bad acting, and shaky cinematography. Also, the script and interactions between characters feels forced and unnatural.
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6
RayzorMooseNov 13, 2013
is an unlikely hero.
A movie with an extremely unlikeable character, and a very unexplained premise; miraculously succeeds with combination of comic relief and good action.
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6
oDjentoJun 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 ofI 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
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6
Kai82Sep 16, 2020
A really great movie with so much potential. Then comes an out of nowhere plot twist that left you thinking WTF did just happen? It becomes basically a different movie with a different plot and I think that both parts could have worked veryA really great movie with so much potential. Then comes an out of nowhere plot twist that left you thinking WTF did just happen? It becomes basically a different movie with a different plot and I think that both parts could have worked very well in two separate movies. I will not spoil the twist but you can read in if you want on multiple sources. The movie is about John Hancock who is a Superhero that is unfit or struggles to be the comic-book archetype of a noble and flawless hero. He is just like a normal human who is not suited to a task but with superpowers. He is often drunk, a hothead and causes too much collateral damage while still saving life's and stopping criminals. He is hated by the public and unpopular when he saves a PR specialist who offers to help him with his public image. This concept alone is excellent. The idea to show a superhero struggle with problems and being just like an average person with huge (relatable) problems underneath was as awesome as refreshing. Stan Lee did make superheroes relatable the same way but to a lesser extent. Tony Stark struggles with alcohol or Spiderman sacrifices his personal life and relationships to be a hero and is still hated by some just as example. Here it is increased by a multitude. I think that sooner or later superpowers would bore you and the public is ungrateful after a while not thanking you and just asking why you did not more for them. What ruins it is a plot twist. I must point out I also liked the second half after the twist and will say it is also a brilliant concept and well done. Without spoilers I can only say that there are two excellent halves that just did not fit together. From Dusk til Dawn is similar as it becomes a different movie or genre but still not a fitting comparison. I would say it is an early case of subverting expectations that got wrong. I even hate to criticize this movie as there are no serious mistakes except of the twist. The acting is good, as are the special effects, soundtrack and character development. Overall this is maybe the best movie I will give such a low score. The change in direction ruins it for many including me. Would have seen more from each halt either and both have a 9-10/10 potential.… Expand
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5
MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015
It’s ironic that Hancock involves a public-relations campaign to modify the seedy truth about a down-and-out in order to sell a streamlined fable about a high-flying hero, since the movie has been seriously misrepresented by its advanceIt’s ironic that Hancock involves a public-relations campaign to modify the seedy truth about a down-and-out in order to sell a streamlined fable about a high-flying hero, since the movie has been seriously misrepresented by its advance publicity. The trailers, poster and ad images pull out snide gags (the whale-tossing, a remark about Hancock’s tight leather suit) and give the impression that Will Smith is following a recent run of fairly serious efforts with one of the lightweight, crowd-pleasing action comedies which made his name. As Smith’s drunken-idiot superhero blunders through the apprehension of a carload of speeding crooks, this feels like a (better) male-slob answer to My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and one vaguely expects Martin Lawrence to show up as Jimmy Olsen.

At some point in its lengthy development, Hancock was probably exactly that movie. A preview version was reportedly more knockabout, on the lines of Superhero Movie - including something in an earlier draft which addressed that age-old question of whether Lois (and the bedroom ceiling) would be in danger if Clark super-ejaculated inside her. The film also bears traces of a few more serious drafts, probably modelled on Unbreakable, and someone came in to serve the Bad Boys contingency, sprinkling crude laugh-lines throughout Smith’s dialogue - which at least raises a snicker when Hancock eyes a comic hero who isn’t quite the Mighty Thor (at least, so the lawyers would emphasise) and writes him off as “Norwegian homo”.

The film runs through its original story by the halfway point, when Hancock voluntarily goes to prison, knowing the city will need to release him the next time there’s a crisis. Then, Eddie Marsan is perfunctorily introduced as a low-rent Luthor and a major plot development derails the comedy and the interesting relationship between Hancock and Ray to foreground a surprisingly downbeat third act. Hancock’s backstory (he’s an amnesiac who woke up in hospital 80 years ago with two tickets to see Frankenstein in his pocket, and has taken his name from the American slang for signature) is promising, but opens the story in ways the film doesn’t follow through: if the authorities give the Hulk such a bad time and want to wipe out the X-mutants, why are no government spooks trying to get Hancock’s invulnerability secrets or recruiting him to take out Iran’s nuclear labs? During a rainswept, bloody final stand in a hospital, the film becomes indistinguishable from any other super-vigilante picture.

See-saws between straight superhero movie and parody, with layers of soap-opera fudge in between. A lot of solid scenes - but Hancock lacks the power of super-coherence.… Expand
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5
CineAutoctonoDec 21, 2015
Hancock was a movie with very mixed emotions in each third of the film , excellent visual effects , good script , but not convinced , but emotions were piecemeal in each third of the movie .
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5
kyle20ellisMar 17, 2022
What drew me into seeing Hancock in the first place was its idea, which I found one of the most interesting for a film in a while. I am in all honesty not a big fan of Will Smith, but he has given some solid performances so I thought whyWhat drew me into seeing Hancock in the first place was its idea, which I found one of the most interesting for a film in a while. I am in all honesty not a big fan of Will Smith, but he has given some solid performances so I thought why not.

I have to say that I didn't think Hancock was a bad film as such, it was somewhat underwhelming and I'm sorry to say I do understand the criticisms against it.

Hancock does have a fair number of good points. It is stylishly filmed, with some well above average special effects, the music is dynamic and the directing is solid. The best asset about Hancock is the acting of the three leads.

Will Smith is very commanding, with a lot of subtlety amongst all the wisecracks/gags that don't feel forced(ie.flying under the influence). Charlize Theron shows a glowing presence while also showing a sympathetic side, and Jason Bateman's dry humour contrasts perfectly too.

However, Hancock is a very uneven film. I loved the first half, it was well paced, the script was witty and fresh and the scene where the titular character brings a speeding train to a halt as he can't be bothered to lift the car up from its path is one of the better and relevant scenes of the film.

It is in the second half where Hancock is less than successful. Here the film starts to drag, the script becomes soapy and heavily melodramatic and the film has one of the daftest twists of any film not to have M Night Shyamalan's name on it.

The story's tone isn't the only asset to feel uneven, the script is too, it has wit and freshness in the first half, but becomes mawkish in the second. I also felt that there were only three likable characters(Smith's, Theron's and Bateman's) and the others I barely noticed, with the villain especially flat.

So all in all, an uneven film but not a necessarily bad one. 5/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
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4
EpicLadySpongeJan 26, 2016
A completely weak superhero movie starring Will Smith in it. If you actually enjoyed the movie, good for you. If you wanted a sequel, that's up to the development team.
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4
Cinemassacre94Mar 20, 2016
An intriguing high concept is undermined by low-grade dramaturgy in “Hancock.” This misguided attempt to wring a novel twist on the superhero genre has a certain whiff of “The Last Action Hero” about it, with Will Smith playing anAn intriguing high concept is undermined by low-grade dramaturgy in “Hancock.” This misguided attempt to wring a novel twist on the superhero genre has a certain whiff of “The Last Action Hero” about it, with Will Smith playing an indestructible crime-buster in a pointedly real-world context. Although it will inevitably open very large, this odd and perplexing aspiring tentpole will provide a real test of Smith’s box office invincibility.

The central idea of Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan’s script — of Smith’s John Hancock being an ornery, unwilling hero who escapes from his ordained role in life via booze and general cantankerousness — is amusing and plausible enough to sustain the first section of the film. What the writers and director Peter Berg do with the concept in the end, however, is nowhere near sufficiently thought out, and narrative illogic and missed opportunities plague the film increasingly as it cartwheels through its surprisingly brief running time.

When the world-famous Hancock reluctantly swings into action — he can fly at supersonic speed, lift any weight and is impervious to all weapons — his drunken recklessness invariably causes more damage than it’s worth. Although valuable to the police, Hancock has a bad name with the public for his destructiveness, impudence and all-around bad attitude; an adjunct to this is his foul language, which treads the very edge of PG-13 permissiveness and will no doubt catch many July 4 weekend kid-herding parents unhappily unaware.

As much in need of rehab as this week’s tabloid celebrity, the raggedly attired Hancock finds an eager savior in PR whiz Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman). Rescued from certain death by the rasty hero, Ray returns the favor by inviting him to dinner with wife Mary (Charlize Theron) and son Aaron (Jae Head) and announcing he’s going to remake Hancock’s image. The strongman’s first step will be to submit to rehab and anger-management training, along with some prison time (although Hancock resists wearing an actual superhero outfit because it’s too “homo”). What he shortly does to two tough-talking inmates in the pen crudely literalizes the taunt about sticking your head where the sun don’t shine.

Such vulgar goofiness is one thing in an Adam Sandler film, but doesn’t sit well in the rough-and-ready realism of Berg’s raw visuals, which grievously misapply hand-held jitteriness to material that demands more precise stylization.

The genre satire and numerous Will Smith moments, with the star throwing off the attitude-laden quips and looks auds expect from him, carry the first half without too much trouble, in anticipation of where the film will go from there.

Where it goes, unfortunately, is right down the tubes. All along, there’s something oddly hostile about Mary’s attitude toward Hancock, and at the 55-minute mark, a major revelation sends the story veering off into territory that feels unmapped even in the minds of the filmmakers. All the potential the premise seemed to offer is frittered away, mind-boggling gaps of logic come to the fore, and arbitrary plot devices serve to shortchange a story that could have gone in much more interesting directions.

Even in his derelict state, why would the presumably super-studly Hancock have no lady friends? Why would humiliated criminals ever think they could strike back at their nemesis? More broadly speaking, what about an invincible superhero who could take power into his own hands and become a self-appointed dictator who arbitrates on good and evil, sometimes to ill effect? Putting a character like Hancock in the recognizable modern world, rather than in a cartoonish context, creates all sorts of possibilities that are willfully ignored by the filmmakers, who instead have come up with a concoction that is both overwrought and severely undernourished.

That said, the effects are snazzy, even if they pass by quite quickly, and there’s enough going on to keep audiences watching, if not entirely happy. Smith, Theron and Bateman capably handle the main roles, but such is the skimpiness of the scenario that no further characters make any impact.… Expand
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6
TrailesqueDec 9, 2016
This could have been an excellent movie. The concept of a Superman-like superhero on the skids is intriguing. There are cool special effects and fine performances by Smith and Theron, and some funny moments too. But the story goes awryThis could have been an excellent movie. The concept of a Superman-like superhero on the skids is intriguing. There are cool special effects and fine performances by Smith and Theron, and some funny moments too. But the story goes awry imo. In the first half we follow antihero Hancock as he seems to be on the road to redemption thru the support of a new best friend and his family. But in the second half, a hokey, mythical story moves in leading to an all-out, overblown Hollywood ending.… Expand
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6
MonkiReviewsMay 27, 2017
The acting is strong, the story isn't. At some points it seems like they forgot to tell more. We still don't know who he fully was. Also, the twist wasn't that great, but still adds to the story.
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6
CoreGamer1408Dec 14, 2018
Some fun comedy moments. Not enough action for a superhero movie. I enjoyed the reluctant hero premise. The movie peaked at the Bank scene, but they failed to build on that awesome thrilling momentum. The whole movie feels like a missedSome fun comedy moments. Not enough action for a superhero movie. I enjoyed the reluctant hero premise. The movie peaked at the Bank scene, but they failed to build on that awesome thrilling momentum. The whole movie feels like a missed opportunity for the ever charismatic Will Smith to strut his superhero stuff.… Expand
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6
timpfelMay 5, 2018
First half is good then it turns into a mess. But still entertaining enough.
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6
jonslowJan 7, 2019
Enjoyable. Not good and not bad.Will Smith proves that he can personify any role that he takes
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6
TsukibluemoonMar 23, 2020
Podría haber sido más, pero para lo que es está bastante bien. Tengo muy buenos recuerdos de esta película.
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4
geewahJan 21, 2021
The master of making overrated, dud movies, Will Smith, is at it again in this bland, unintentionally funny superhero flick.
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