Hancock (2008)

Director:

Peter Berg

Writers:

Vincent Ngo (written by) and
Vince Gilligan (written by)

Release Date:

2 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

There are heroes. There are superheroes. And then there's...

Plot:

A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image. |

Plot Keywords:

Depression | Police | Basketball | Blockbuster | Dead Man Switch

Awards:

2 nominations

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Will Smith	...	John Hancock
Charlize Theron	...	Mary Embrey
Jason Bateman	...	Ray Embrey
Jae Head	...	Aaron Embrey
Eddie Marsan	...	Kenneth 'Red' Parker Jr.
David Mattey	...	Man Mountain
Maetrix Fitten	...	Matrix
Thomas Lennon	...	Mike
Johnny Galecki	...	Jeremy
Hayley Marie Norman	...	Hottie
Dorothy Cecchi	...	Woman in Dive Bar
Michelle Lemon	...	Girl at Bus Bench
Akiva Goldsman	...	Executive #1
Michael Mann	...	Executive #2
Brad Leland	...	Executive #3

Also Known As:

John Hancock (USA) (working title)
Tonight, He Comes (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Ireland:12A | Finland:K-13 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (original rating) | Hong Kong:IIA | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) (certificate #43295) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:12 | Brazil:12 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Argentina:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Chile:Y7 | UK:12A | Norway:15 | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:U | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

105 Freeway, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

Brad Leland, who plays "Executive #3" at the beginning of the movie (he is the one who appears to be Ray's boss), was given this small role by director Peter Berg, who had previously cast him on his TV show "Friday Night Lights" (2006).

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount of spaghetti and meatballs in the bowl, when Hancock first arrives at Ray's house and is invited for diner, changes between shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Police Officer: All units. All units. Code 3 pursuit of 2-11 white SUV heading east on Alameda service road. Suspects: three Asian males. Request back-up immediately. Be advised. Shots fired. Shots fired.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 2008 MTV Movie Awards (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Take Me Out

Not your typical "superhero" movie, but still good

I was lucky enough to go to a pre-screening of Hancock last night and I really enjoyed it. I don't understand all of the criticism this movie is receiving. Everyone take a second and realize this is not a Marvel or DC comic book superhero movie. Now think about that again. It is a different story entirely and has some very unique elements.

Hancock isn't action packed. It doesn't have a Superhero vs. Supervillan plot. I would probably describe it as a character study of the superhero. I think this movie does a better job of addressing some of the issues (and vices) a superhero probably would have if they existed today. The biggest conflict in the movie is within Will Smith's character's attitude, not necessarily good vs. evil.

I think much of the criticism I have read about is motivated by expectations that were not met, which isn't fair at all. If you watch Hancock with only the expectation of being entertained, you will leave happy. Its a good movie, don't jump on the bandwagon of not liking it just because you can. Give it a chance and take it for what it is, a July 4th action/comedy.