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 & 14 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:

Meet the superhero everybody loves to hate.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | 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

Peter Berg said he did this movie for his young son. While editing The Kingdom (2007), his son's frequent visits to the editing room prompted him to make a comic-book style movie. When this script emerged in 2006, with no director attached, he jumped at the chance. In the DVDs extras Michael Mann was actually going to direct the movie. He felt he wasn't the right person, due to all of the CGI sets, and suggested Peter Berg.

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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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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 My Life Is a Video (2012)

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Soundtracks

Llego Cachaito
Written by Roberto Fonseca and Orlando 'Cachaíto' López (as Orlando Cachaito Lopez)
Performed by Roberto Fonseca
Courtesy of Enja Records M. Winckelmann GmbH

User Reviews

Not your typical "superhero" movie, but still good

I was lucky enough to go to a pre-screening of Hancock last night and I really enjoyed it. I don't understand all of the criticism this movie is receiving. Everyone take a second and realize this is not a Marvel or DC comic book superhero movie. Now think about that again. It is a different story entirely and has some very unique elements.

Hancock isn't action packed. It doesn't have a Superhero vs. Supervillan plot. I would probably describe it as a character study of the superhero. I think this movie does a better job of addressing some of the issues (and vices) a superhero probably would have if they existed today. The biggest conflict in the movie is within Will Smith's character's attitude, not necessarily good vs. evil.

I think much of the criticism I have read about is motivated by expectations that were not met, which isn't fair at all. If you watch Hancock with only the expectation of being entertained, you will leave happy. Its a good movie, don't jump on the bandwagon of not liking it just because you can. Give it a chance and take it for what it is, a July 4th action/comedy.

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