Though the poster leaves a lot to be desired, the trailers I watched for Hancock intrigued me from the very beginning. It seemed to be an alternative to the wave of superhero flicks that have been pumping out of Hollywood lately, with a realistic twist that has become very popular (e.g. Batman Begins, Casino Royale). In many ways, Hancock delivered on what was promised.
The movie starts out well, presenting a conflicted and interesting near anti-hero, inclined to do good, yet lacking social graces. Will Smith, as usual, gives a good performance. Jason Bateman continues to be entertaining, and I’m glad he continues to get roles. Charlize Theron did well, as did the rest of the supporting cast.
Peter Berg proves his main-stream directorial chops, in addition to being able to churn out decent on-screen performances. As usual, the chroma-keying and CGI left something to be desired. High action “blur” was used to mask the effects, which is not my favorite technique, but it wasn’t over utilized.
The writing team of Vincent Ngo and Vince Gillian did a pretty good job on the script, though let’s hope Gillian’s take on the new X-Files screenplay is a little stronger. The pair certainly broke a few rules that are at the heart of my discontent. Generally speaking, if you’re going to present a fantastical tale, set the “rules” up in the first fifteen to twenty minutes. At all costs, avoid significantly altering these rules halfway through the movie, especially when they challenge the laws of nature and physics.
We accept that Hanock is a superhero who can fly, has incredible strength and a mysterious past, because we’re told that at the beginning, when the rules are being defined. But don’t wait an hour and then explain that past by suggesting the hero is in fact a 3000 year old immortal, and that there are others like him. It opens things up to too many questions that are never answered. What started as an alternative comic book story quickly degenerates into cliché. Hancock has to face another with the same powers as he has, a la Superman III, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-man 3 (just to name a few recent) and he starts to lose his powers, in the vein of Superman II and Spider-Man 2.
Luckily, the script takes a turn for the better toward the start of the third act, proving once again that you can save a film with a good ending. I thought the way in which things were wrapped up was pulled off realistically and with class. I can almost envision a sequel in which a dual-hooked Red reappears for another shot at vengeance.
Overall I quite enjoyed the movie. Curt Schilling’s kids seemed to as well, as they clambered into the back of their father’s mini-van in good spirits. The Schillster soon after exited the theatre himself, bedecked in Bruins tee and black arm-sling. Hope he’s doing well.
At any rate, definitely a worthy flick to the pass the time while waiting for the release of The Dark Knight, now only two weeks away. I can’t help but continue to think that the stars are aligning for this one, destiny promising a big hit. After the overall success of Batman Begins, though its box office take was lower than its predecessors, it looks like the draw for the much hyped sequel should bring in the crowds.
I’m almost as enthused about the new Punisher: War Zone, which will star Ray Stevenson, who was superb as Titus Pullo in HBO’s Rome. I can still remember picking up Punisher War Zone #1 at my local comic store, the character having long been one of my favorites. Although I love Tom Jane from flicks like Boogie Nights and Stander, I’m continually one of the few who enjoyed the 1989 version (with all its admitted flaws) more than the 2004 interpretation. If the film delivers on what the trailer has promised, it will be much more true to the comic than the last attempt. Here’s to hoping.
The movie starts out well, presenting a conflicted and interesting near anti-hero, inclined to do good, yet lacking social graces. Will Smith, as usual, gives a good performance. Jason Bateman continues to be entertaining, and I’m glad he continues to get roles. Charlize Theron did well, as did the rest of the supporting cast.
Peter Berg proves his main-stream directorial chops, in addition to being able to churn out decent on-screen performances. As usual, the chroma-keying and CGI left something to be desired. High action “blur” was used to mask the effects, which is not my favorite technique, but it wasn’t over utilized.
The writing team of Vincent Ngo and Vince Gillian did a pretty good job on the script, though let’s hope Gillian’s take on the new X-Files screenplay is a little stronger. The pair certainly broke a few rules that are at the heart of my discontent. Generally speaking, if you’re going to present a fantastical tale, set the “rules” up in the first fifteen to twenty minutes. At all costs, avoid significantly altering these rules halfway through the movie, especially when they challenge the laws of nature and physics.
We accept that Hanock is a superhero who can fly, has incredible strength and a mysterious past, because we’re told that at the beginning, when the rules are being defined. But don’t wait an hour and then explain that past by suggesting the hero is in fact a 3000 year old immortal, and that there are others like him. It opens things up to too many questions that are never answered. What started as an alternative comic book story quickly degenerates into cliché. Hancock has to face another with the same powers as he has, a la Superman III, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-man 3 (just to name a few recent) and he starts to lose his powers, in the vein of Superman II and Spider-Man 2.
Luckily, the script takes a turn for the better toward the start of the third act, proving once again that you can save a film with a good ending. I thought the way in which things were wrapped up was pulled off realistically and with class. I can almost envision a sequel in which a dual-hooked Red reappears for another shot at vengeance.
Overall I quite enjoyed the movie. Curt Schilling’s kids seemed to as well, as they clambered into the back of their father’s mini-van in good spirits. The Schillster soon after exited the theatre himself, bedecked in Bruins tee and black arm-sling. Hope he’s doing well.
At any rate, definitely a worthy flick to the pass the time while waiting for the release of The Dark Knight, now only two weeks away. I can’t help but continue to think that the stars are aligning for this one, destiny promising a big hit. After the overall success of Batman Begins, though its box office take was lower than its predecessors, it looks like the draw for the much hyped sequel should bring in the crowds.
I’m almost as enthused about the new Punisher: War Zone, which will star Ray Stevenson, who was superb as Titus Pullo in HBO’s Rome. I can still remember picking up Punisher War Zone #1 at my local comic store, the character having long been one of my favorites. Although I love Tom Jane from flicks like Boogie Nights and Stander, I’m continually one of the few who enjoyed the 1989 version (with all its admitted flaws) more than the 2004 interpretation. If the film delivers on what the trailer has promised, it will be much more true to the comic than the last attempt. Here’s to hoping.
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