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Hancock (2008)

 -  Action | Fantasy  -  2 July 2008 (USA)
6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 197,948 users   Metascore: 49/100
Reviews: 573 user | 309 critic | 37 from Metacritic.com

A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image.

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Title: Hancock (2008)

Hancock (2008) on IMDb 6.5/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Ray
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Red
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Dorothy Cecchi ...
Michelle Lemon ...
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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. Written by Rob Marshall, Chicago, IL

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Meet the superhero everybody loves to hate. See more »

Genres:

Action | Fantasy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

2 July 2008 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

John Hancock  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (unrated)

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Mann and Tony Scott were also considered for the director's role. See more »

Goofs

When Hancock throws Ray's car into the other cars and stops the train, Ray's windshield cracks. When Hancock drags the car into the driveway a few moments later, the windshield is as good as new. See more »

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.
See more »

Crazy Credits

A scene after the credits start to roll. See more »

Connections

Spoofed in Disaster Movie (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

"Move Bitch"
Written by Jonathan Smith, Craig Lawson, Bobby Sandimanie, and Michael Tyler
Performed by DJ No Name
Courtesy of Jamaster A Management Ltd.
By Arrangement with The Orchard
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Classic case of great idea, mediocre execution. Strong performances are marred by weak CGI and a lack of a central villain.
1 July 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Will Smith. That's all you've got to say, and you're guaranteed a big opening at the box office. Well, from the looks of it, Smith also guarantees you at least a mildly entertaining film, which is what we get in his latest movie, Hancock. In the hands of any other leading star, Hancock would probably end up being a below average film. It's Smith's charisma, charm, and unwavering likability that ultimately save the film. He can make you laugh, cheer, cry, and even root for his character (who is a total ass, as he is reminded a number of times throughout the movie) no matter what kind of shenanigans he may cause.

Hancock is not the generic superhero film and is probably one of the more ingenious ideas to come across a producer's desk in quite some time. To me, what it seems like is that the writers of the film loved the idea, started off extremely strong, and then began to realize that how hard it is to sustain a simplistic idea over the course of a full length motion picture (and it is because of this that Hancock is relatively short). The writers' plan to solve this problem is to throw in a totally unnecessary and badly handled plot twist to keep the audience guessing. The lack of a central villain also hurts the movie a lot. The character that serves as Hancock's enemy in the finale isn't even well acted. The person is laughable.

This is an action movie, so it should come as no surprise to see well done and original action in the movie. However, I felt the effects could have used a few more weeks of polishing in the editing room. The camera is also quite crampy. I also have problems with the film's score, as it does not add an epic feeling to the film like it should have. I felt like something was missing in the climax of the film (which is not the end). The action scenes, while entertaining and original, were not long enough to engage the audience like say, The Incredible Hulk, nor were they as jaw dropping as those in Wanted.

The film's strength rides on its three stars. Action veterans Will Smith and Charlize Theron both deliver winning performances as usual, and that should come as no surprise. Smith's charisma is enough to make anyone happy, and it's so easy to see why so many people love him. Theron is always a sight to behold (except in Monster, lol), and this film is no different. I enjoyed her performance the most, especially in the second act and the beginning of the third. Jason Bateman, who seems to be the bridge connecting the performances of Smith and Theron, is great as usual, and likable, marking a change from his recent turn in "Juno". There really isn't another performance to note, and part of Hancock's weakness is that there are really only three main engaging characters. It should also be noted that the kid who played Bateman's son was absolutely adorable.

Hancock is the classic case of great idea, and mediocre execution. I can see this idea being remade years from now, and pulled off even better. It's not a fault of Peter Berg, the film's director, as the real weakness is in the screenplay, which falters after an excellent and wonderful opening act. It's not a bad film by any means, nor is it great. It's in between "okay" and "good".


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
Good movie but dumb and full of holes. ShepherdMoons
Very Anti-climactic!!! What would you change the ending too? Hammond10
So, why DIDN'T Hancock lift Ray's car straight up in the air? rpacejr19
What is the tall figure on the street just before the hurrican battle theanimaspain
plot hole: 5 of them, but they pair off and die unlimited_9600
Charlize Theron- a question tudorslady
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