Hancock (2008)

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

Director:

Peter Berg

Writers:

Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan

Stars:

Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

4 wins & 12 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 | black superhero | non comic book superhero | bully | car chase | 

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Taglines:

He is saving the world whether we like it or not.

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Mary gets ready for bed, her t-shirt is from Macalester College, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Peter Berg's alma mater.

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Goofs

After impaling the SUV on the Capitol Records Building spire, Hancock is drinking in a bar. In close-ups he holds a bottle of beer in his left hand. In long shots, the bottle is in his right hand.

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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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Alternate Versions

An extended cut was released on DVD and Blu-Ray featuring several additional and modified scenes. The additional scenes include, but are not limited to: Hancock bringing a girl to his trailer to have sex, Mary Embrey driving to Hancock's trailer instead of flying there, and Hancock getting off a prison bus while chained to other prisoners whom he drags behind him.

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Connections

Referenced in Los mejores momentos de 'Sé lo que hicisteis' (2009)

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Soundtracks

Paper Planes
Written by M.I.A. (as Mathangi Arulpragasm), Diplo (as 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

I guess some people just can't take a switch in tone.

I've read a lot of the reviews here complaining about the film flagging in its final act. I respectfully disagree.

Hancock is most definitely DIFFERENT in it's last half - it drops off the comedy significantly and introduces some fascinating superhero mythology that is almost like an ancient Greek myth in its context. It also introduces some pretty tense and violent moments that really made me wonder if they should be marketing it as the kid-friendly summer blockbuster that they are. However, both halves have their own merits - the first being the humour, and the second being the (almost tragic) origin mythos. I suspect if you are prepared for the switch in tone, rather than shocked when it arrives, you might enjoy Hancock as much as I did.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Vietnamese

Release Date:

2 July 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tonight, He Comes

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$62,603,879, 6 July 2008

Gross USA:

$227,946,274

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$629,443,428

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Blue Light

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 102 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1