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:

Vincent Ngo (as 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 | anti gay language | black superhero | bully | car chase | 

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Taglines:

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

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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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

Vietnamese English Japanese

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:

$624,386,771

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:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second that Will Smith and Charlize Theron starred in since The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000).

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Goofs

Hancock leaps into the air in front of Ray's house and after retrieving the ball outside of the prison yard. The (cgi) debris thrown into the air in each place is the same despite the road / ground surfaces being different. One is ashphalt, the other is sandy.

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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

Move Bitch
Written by Lil Jon (as Jonathan Smith), Craig Lawson, Bobby Sandimanie, and Mystikal (as Michael Tyler)
Performed by Ludacris featuring Mystikal and Bobby Sandimanie (as I-20)
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

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.