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Hancock: unexpected depth

July 8th, 2008

Hancock poster We went and saw Hancock on the weekend after some debate about if it was indeed worth going out to see it. We obviously went and I’m glad we did (for the most part, something happened that I’ll talk about in a different post and has no connection to the film).

I went in expecting a light, hopefully funny big special effects film. Light is not the word I would use to describe it because it has an unexpected level of depth that made it more rewarding than the ads promised.

I will not comment on Will Smith’s status in Scientology as I don’t try and let that effect me when I watch a film. Will is really good and delivers some hilarious lines as well as really great performance. There is one scene in particular where he gets angry with some criminals and lashes out that was a really interesting scene in my mind. It explores something that is rarely done so with characters such as Superman (maybe Wonder Woman). With all that power if you reacted in a human way it would be devastating, do I dare say it “with great power…”

The real comic genius in the film though is Jason Bateman whom I never thought I would think is brilliantly funny but he just is (thank you Arrested Development). His timing and delivery is always spot on but he also delivers a great performance.

Visually the film is so enjoyable, there are great special effects and there are a couple of shots that could be lifted directly from a comic book.

There are some plot points though that are so unbelievably obvious that I’m pretty certain the director realised and figured why not leave that aspect in there and treat the viewers like intelligent individuals and doesn’t try to expect us to be surprised.

Great non-comic book comic book movie… if that makes sense?

Promo image from Hancock