Hancock (2008)

Hancock is a superhero whose ill considered behavior regularly causes damage in the millions. He changes when one person he saves helps him improve his public image.

Director:

Peter Berg

Writers:

Vincent Ngo (as Vy Vincent Ngo), Vince Gilligan

Stars:

Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Smith	...	John Hancock
Charlize Theron	...	Mary
Jason Bateman	...	Ray
Jae Head	...	Aaron
Eddie Marsan	...	Red
David Mattey	...	Man Mountain
Maetrix Fitten	...	Matrix
Thomas Lennon	...	Mike
Johnny Galecki	...	Jeremy
Hayley Marie Norman	...	Hottie
Dorothy Cecchi	...	Woman in Dive Bar
Michelle Lemon	...	Girl at Bus Bench
Akiva Goldsman	...	Executive
Michael Mann	...	Executive
Brad Leland	...	Executive

Storyline

The powerful superhero John Hancock has become a joke because of his alcoholism and clumsiness. He has also become the most hated man in Los Angeles. Though he has saved many lives, he also destroyed a lot of property, costing the city millions every time he goes into action. When he saves the life of PR expert Ray Embrey from an oncoming train, the executive is thankful and believes he can restore Hancock's image as a true superhero. He brings the anti-hero home for dinner and introduces him to his son Aaron, a big fan, and to his wife, Mary. But for some mysterious reason Mary doesn't want Hancock anywhere near her or her family.

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Plot Keywords:

superhero | bully comeuppance | tough girl | destruction | prison | 

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Taglines:

There are heroes. There are superheroes. And then there's...

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Offical site [Ukraine] Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

2 July 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

John Hancock

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£9,589,095 (UK) (4 July 2008)

Gross:

$227,946,274 (USA) (5 September 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Blue Light

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 102 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original title was "Tonight, He Comes." The script, which floated around in Hollywood for over a decade, was later retitled "John Hancock", then finally retitled "Hancock".

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Goofs

When Hancock stopped the train, the impact speed should've seriously injured or killed the locomotive engineer.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Police Officer: All units. All units. Code 3 pursuit of 2-11 white SUV heading east on Alameda service road. Suspects: three Asian males. Request back-up immediately. Be advised. Shots fired. Shots fired.

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Crazy Credits

A scene after the credits start to roll.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #7.171 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Paper Planes
Written by Mathangi Arulpragasm, Wesley Pentz, Topper Headon, Mick Jones,
Paul Simonon, and Joe Strummer
Performed by M.I.A.
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
And courtesy of XL Recordings Ltd.

User Reviews

Not bad!

Lots of people, including the critics, are ragging on this film. Seriously, what did they expect? It's a Hollywood blockbuster with Wil Smith in. Get over it, turn your brain off, and sit back and enjoy the ride.

For what it was, I thought it pretty good. It was entertaining, took a unique take on the superhero thing, and didn't have an overt number of huge gaping plot holes or completely blithe dialog.

If you're feeling like a Wil Smith movie, go for it. It's not as bad as they say... just don't expect any more than the typical Hollywood affair.