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Revew: 'Hancock'
Garrett Conti can be reached via e-mail or at 412-380-5685.
That much is clear when a first glimpse catches the film's champion of justice passed out on a bench in tattered clothes with a couple of bottles of whiskey underfoot.
The hero is Hancock (Will Smith, "I Am Legend"), a fellow with abilities akin to Superman, but problems with attitude and the sauce.
Sure, it's an original idea, but the trouble with "Hancock" lies in its execution. The first half of the film builds a solid foundation for an extraordinary film, but that footing evaporates when the filmmakers move forward. The second half of the film generally feels rushed, as it moves on a bustling pace toward its big finale. Viewers are left to fill in abnormally large plot holes and digest a story that doesn't quite add up.
"Hancock" finds its protagonist under a blitz of poor media coverage and a lack of public approval. Why? Hancock has caused millions of dollars in damage while handling his hero duties, and he really doesn't care about the destruction. All of that changes with the arrival of public relations specialist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman, "Juno").
Embrey, thankful to Hancock for saving his life, makes it his mission to overhaul his new friend's image. In the process, Hancock develops into a sounder superhero, and Embrey's lackluster career gets a boost as well. Things are going great until Embrey's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron, "Monster"), is found to have a deep connection with Hancock, a twist that will turn the superhero and his new associate on their ears.
Smith stands out here in the dark role of a washed-out superhero, and Theron and Bateman are fine in supporting roles. However, their performances are unable to make up for a picture that doesn't fulfill its mighty expectations on the summer blockbuster front.
• In wide release
