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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

Meet the superhero everybody loves to hate.

---

Genres:

Action | Fantasy

---

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

During Ray's first PR meeting, various Hollywood producers play the board members. The group includes Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann, who have directed Will Smith or produced movies starring him.

---

Goofs

When Hancock leaves the bank the hostages are waiting and standing behind the broken windows. They wait until Hancock walks out before they start running.

---

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.

---

Crazy Credits

A scene after the credits start to roll.

---

Connections

Referenced in Conan: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Karaoke (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Two
Written by Ryan Adams and Brad Pemberton
Performed by Ryan Adams
Courtesy of Lost Highway Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

This deserves some credit

Perhaps I'm being generous, but I think this movie deserves some credit. It's a serious take on a dysfunctional superhero that isn't based upon a Marvel Comics or DC Comics character. The special effects aren't as good as a movie like Transformers, but at least you aren't getting an animated CGI character hopping around like you do in Hulk and Spiderman. It appears that several elements of this movie may be inspired by the now defunct Broadway Comics. The classic scene of a car being skewered on a spire was depicted in the "Powers That Be" comic and the dysfunctional marriage relationship in the movie is not unlike the "Shadow State" comic by Broadway. Perhaps seeing similar depictions hit the big screen made me appreciate the movie more.

Will Smith and Charlize Theron do a great job. The hero is flawed, but he's not a wimp. The movie's biggest weakness is the pacing. Some of the special effects go by so fast that you don't get to appreciate them. Some of the drama plays out so slowly that you might be wondering why they don't rush it along. The movie is faithful to the trailer. It's tough writing a spoiler-free review of this since there are some great twists in the plot.