Hancock (2008)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

I saw Hancock on its first day in Indonesia so I went into it having seen hardly any trailers for it thus didn't really know what to expect. Well, except for Will Smith’s performance, and since I’m a sucker for Will Smith, I could bear any movie as long as he starred in it. So I have to point out first, that my comment may be biased based of this reason alone.

In a nutshell, Hancock is full of laugh out loud comedy and perfect action. The most part of the movie is unpredictable and keeps you guessing. It gives a different vibe on the normal superhero movie. Unlike other typical superhero flick where the main character usually dealt with his inner struggles, Hancock break the mold by having a hero who doesn't follow the rules, who isn't ridiculously polite with a fancy costume. He has a bad attitude and uses his powers to do what what he likes, though not to do bad things. The bad guys are the bad guys! The bank robbers, purse snatchers, thugs, and crooks are the people Hancock is battling against, not some made up villain that can easily match the good guy.

I have to say that if it isn’t for the three main characters (Smith esp, told u I’m biased) this movie probably will be a below average movie. As for Will Smith, it's his charisma, charm, and solid likability that carries the film. He can make you laugh, cheer, cry, and even root for his character (who is a total jerk, btw) no matter what kind of trouble he may cause. Charlize Theron gives a solid performance, and certainly an eye candy for any guy who watch this movie. And although Bateman’s performance is a tad one-dimensional, at least he is still likeable.

The downside of this movie is probably the final part.The mood tends to stray from the comical first part of the movie that previously sets the whole mood of the story. And although the story appears to get more philosophical towards the end, it also left you with a feelling that everything seems to be forced and the explanation of the hero’s weakness has fall in the realm of absurdness. It seems like the writer has a very good idea about what they want to tell, but the execution of the idea couldn’t deliver it. Despite all these, at the end of the day, Hancock is a fun, mostly fast-paced popcorn flick. And if you are Smith’s fan, you shouldn’t miss it.