Hancock

Reviewed by:
Eric Alt

Directed by: Peter Berg

The Skinny: John Hancock (Will Smith) is a guy with a Superman-like ability to stop speeding bullets and fly, but a Mel Gibson–like ability to drink heavily and be an asshole. Having lost the favor of the city he's trying to protect, Hancock encounters publicist Ray (Jason Bateman), who offers to give the superhero an image makeover, despite Ray's wife's (Charlize Theron) serious reservations.

The Good: Hancock is a truly funny adult take on the superhero mythos. Peter Berg is one of the few directors who can handle comedy and action, and the movie is enjoyable, despite being tinged with a bit more sadness than advertised. There's a neat twist that, surprisingly, isn't telegraphed by the trailers. And, as always, Jason Bateman is hilarious.

The Bad: Will Smith is good, but he just doesn't convince as a loathsome hard-ass. It's Big Willie, kid-friendly A-lister! How could anyone call him an asshole? Also, Hancock's backstory doesn't make any sense at all, rendering the last half of the movie confusing and annoying.

Mr. F: Damn you, Arrested Development! Thanks to you, we couldn't watch Theron in any of her scenes with Bateman without expecting a mentally retarded Brit.

Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? It's worth a trip to the theater, making Hancock the movie that may officially rank this summer as one of the "least sucky" of all time.

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