R.P. McMurphy Reviews: 'Hancock'

To be honest with you fellow surfers, I was not too stoked to see this one.  I always get iffy when a film had to be re-cut too many times.  Regardless of my preconceived notions, I went and saw Hancock.  I must say, I liked it.

I have to admit, I went into this film not knowing a thing about it.  I had seen the commercials, I saw the hype, but it never grabbed me.  The funny thing is, that it is one of the best add campaigns for a movie that I have ever seen.  They give you just a taste of what the plot is about and yet give nothing away.  I am very impressed.  Onto the review.



The film is directed by Peter Berg.  Peter has directed some of my favorite movies.  For those of you unfamiliar with his work, he has directed the film Very Bad Things, Friday Night Lights, and The Kingdom.  If you haven't seen any of these, I would urge you to do so. 

OK fellow surfers, I am promising you that I will not spoil anything for you in this review.  With that said, here we go.  Will Smith plays Hancock.  Hancock is a person with super powers who tries to help catch bad guys.  Problem is that he acts like he really doesn't care about people, and he drinks too much.  The community expects him to help in all situations, but they hate it when he does because he seems to destroy more things than the people he is trying to catch. 



His character is never labeled as an alien, but he was changed by a freak accident.  He was mugged 80 years ago, and when the muggers hit him on the head, it is said that that incident was what triggered his powers.  As you can guess, he is super strong, he can fly, bullets can't hurt him, and he doesn't age.  Years of having his powers and trying to use them for good has jaded Hancock.  Until one day he saves someone who will change his life.



Ray Embry (Jason Batemen), is a PR guy who is trying to save the world.  Yet all his attempts to reach the big time seem to fail him.  One day, after being turned down again for yet another job, Ray is driving home and his car gets stuck on the train tracks.  Hancock saves him in the nick of time, but in the process he destroys a few cars and the whole train.  Instantly the people who witnessed what happened start ripping into Hancock, telling him how bad he is at what he does.  Ray steps in and reminds the people of how much Hancock has done for the community. 

I think you have figured out that Ray becomes Hancock's PR man.  Ray's wife (Charlize Theron), doesn't trust Hancock, but because her husband and son both love him, she just grins and bares it.  Ray gets Hancock on the road of the Super Hero and the people of Los Angeles start seeing him as a savior not a menace.



All in all, the movie was fun.  For those of you who think that I just gave away the whole movie, think again my friends.  I just gave you the first 15 minutes.  There is a whole other movie that the adds did not give away.  That is why I think whoever did the add campaign was a genius, they gave very little away.  Which is refreshing considering that most trailers lately have been giving the whole movie away in the trailers.

Anyway, I thought that all of the actors did wonderful.  Who most impressed me was Bateman.  He surprised me by playing a genuine role.  Lately, it seems that he has been playing mister sarcastic.  I almost forgot that he could play anything other then a comedy role.  Smith and Theron both brought their A games to this film.  I am in no way saying that this film is going to sweep the Oscar's or anything.  I feel that this movie was truly entertaining.  It had all of the elements that make a good movie.  Nothing ground breaking, just a great script coupled with great acting.

So, if you haven't  caught on, I would say see this film.  In the end you will not feel like you wasted any time or money.  After you have seen it, come back and let me know what you thought of it.  Until next time surfers.

McMurphy Out!