What if Superman was a douchebag? That is such an inherently fascinating and potentially wildly entertaining hook for a movie.
That’s what Hancock (2008) is, at least for the first half. Will Smith, at the height of his powers, is a delight as Hancock, a dishevelled superhero who enjoys his drink more than he does saving people.
Looking to change his image, he hires a PR Specialist (Jason Bateman), to come across as being more about truth, justice, and the American way rather than booze, cursing and the asshole way.
And that’s what the movie should have been about. The combined talents of Smith, Bateman and Charlize Theron, an intriguing story, superhero hijinks – all the ingredients for a fun, entertaining caper were readily available.
And then came the twist.
We discover that Bateman’s character’s wife, Mary (Charlize Theron) also has superpowers. Also, Mary and Hancock are immortal beings who were married. But now Mary wants nothing to do with Hancock.
Wait, what now?
This is when the movie devolves into a needlessly melodramatic farce. It turns out if two immortal beings are in each other’s vicinity, they lose their powers (Wait, what?).
Then, a whole lot of uninteresting things happen. And the movie ends.
Hancock made a significant windfall at the Box Office because this was 2008 and Will Smith was the undisputed king of the hill. But it could have been so much more.
Its potential is all the more apparent now that we are inundated with superhero movies and any movie that looks to subvert norms comes across as a breath of fresh air (Deadpool).
Hancock is a tale of two halves – the first half is fresh, original and exciting and the second half is a steaming pile of hackneyed plot devices and clichés.
And it’s the twist that begins the descent.
That being said, can someone please cast Charlize Theron in a superhero part? There is no one quite like her; such a goddamn badass, even when her part is underwritten and underserved.
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