Movie: Hancock

Hancock-poster

I consider Hancock to not really be a movie. It is more like a Cliff's Notes version of a movie.

What do I mean by that? Let me explain.

Cliff Notes is a basic summary of a novel, telling you just what you need to know. This film seemed like a summary of some other movie. It went from plot point to plot point with little or no connective tissue between. You get enough to know whats going on, and to set up what's to come, and that's it. It's rather clumsy and sort of annoying.

This is bad, because we could have used a little fleshing out to make the rather abrupt tonal change at the end of the movie more plausible.

This film starts out as a comedy, which is fine. I can stand the superhero movie genre to be a place for laughs, but then it switches to a drama during the last half hour.

And the switch in tone is not done gradually. It's like they got the reels of the movies mixed up. You're watching a comedy then BANG, things get serious.

You need to let the audience know what they're in for. Especially if you are building to a dramatic climax. Because what lacks in the first half is characterization. The characters are pained in the broadest of fashion. This is okay if you are going for laughs, but if we are supposed to feel an emotional connection with these people to add pop to the ending, it just doesn't work.

That is not the only thing wrong with this movie. Hey, fellas, just so you know. If you put an info dump in the middle of the movie and not at the beginning, where it usually goes, it doesn't make it any less of an info dump. It only makes it more awkward.

Also, in a Mystery Science Theater 3000 sense, it might be fun to go through the film and play "Spot the Product Placement!". Not only do we have the typical visual product placement (including one for Jiffy Pop. Hancock has a case of the least convienient home popping pop corn in his home (why? I don't know.) which pops in a pivotal scene so that the cardboard covering convieniently faces the camera) but also a new, garish VERBAL product placement. People don't offer each other use of their sunglasses, they offer their Ray-Bans. They don't call their insurance company, they call State Farm. Each company name is spoken clearly and with such effect that you almost expected them to stop the movie so people could come up the aisles to see you insurance or sunglasses.

The cast does well with what little they're given. Will Smith gets by on his charm. Charlize Theron would be the definition of talent being wasted if it didn't seem that she was just phoning it in. Who comes out best is Jason Bateman. His acting helps make his character at least seem well defined. Eventually, he will get a great film for him to employ his great talent in.

So, yeah. Hancock rates as a pretty bad movie.  It's like everyone, with the exception of Bateman, just wanted to get through with the film in a hurry, cash the check and head home. The story had potential that was wasted. The tone was off and could have, should have been addressed better, and the characterization just didn't give the audience enough to care. Your money should be better spent elsewhere.