Hancock (Official Thread/Rottenwatch)
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Smiles and Cries
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omg rite said:
I'm only quoting this to join the Will Smith Defense Force
the dude OWNS
Man... slept on my viewing experience, and after letting the movie marinate, I completely agree with my original thoughts. The movie has NO substance, a ridiculous story, and is immediately forgettable.
HOWEVER, I did tingle at the thought of Bateman and Theron on screen together again. Hopefully shes in the AD movie.
HOWEVER, I did tingle at the thought of Bateman and Theron on screen together again. Hopefully shes in the AD movie.
This movie sucked. Normally I would have skipped it altogether (not a Will Smith fan), but I love Peter Berg, and I generally enjoy his movies. But not Hancock. Mediocre in every way.
Best thing about the movie for me was the Michael Mann cameo. Him and Berg are good friends, so I guess Mann was cameoing in Hancock to repay Berg for his minor role in Collateral or something. Other good thing was Charlize's hotness.
But hey, its not the worst thing Ive seen this summer. Indy IV still holds that honor.
Best thing about the movie for me was the Michael Mann cameo. Him and Berg are good friends, so I guess Mann was cameoing in Hancock to repay Berg for his minor role in Collateral or something. Other good thing was Charlize's hotness.
But hey, its not the worst thing Ive seen this summer. Indy IV still holds that honor.
Just got back from seeing it. I have to say after going in with really low expectations I enjoyed it.
It's quite a short movie but thats a good thing. The three leads all play they're parts well. Nothing spectacular, just what you would expect of them.
It's basically a film of two parts.
In fact it could've been a really good 2 episode TV special. I wonder if this is a reason why Peter Berg directed it, after the magic he does on Friday Night Lights
and you definitely notice his touches on it; instrumental music through 'moving' scenes, camera drive-bys of shops/residential area so as to switch location etc. I'm a fan of his so I enjoyed seeing these crop up from time to time!
The jokes. There were about a dozen moments in the film where the audience were really laughing and plenty more chuckles inbetween. More one line quips than situational humour. Unfortunately these all seem to come around in the same part of the film, and the other part seemed lacking because of it.
The story. Great concept, poor execution. Big Spoiler:
My recommendation, do as I did and go in with really low expectations and you'll come out satisfied. There are enough jokes during it for you to laugh with your mates about on the way back to the car outside the cinema. You wont be talking about the story though.
Oh and Charlize Theron is hot.
It's quite a short movie but thats a good thing. The three leads all play they're parts well. Nothing spectacular, just what you would expect of them.
It's basically a film of two parts.
The rehabilitation of Hancock. The revelation of his partner.
Look out for two cast members in here!
The jokes. There were about a dozen moments in the film where the audience were really laughing and plenty more chuckles inbetween. More one line quips than situational humour. Unfortunately these all seem to come around in the same part of the film, and the other part seemed lacking because of it.
The story. Great concept, poor execution. Big Spoiler:
It was so bleeding well obvious that Theron knew Smith beforehand, that she was also a "hero" and that they were romantically involved in the past. The supposed "big reveal moment" was quite lacklustre as a result as you knew it was coming.
Whats more the whole part where she says to him "we have to stay apart to stay immortal" was clearly put in to tell the audience what was going to happen. We shouldn't have to be told what is going on! The whole ending was kinda disappointing.
Oh and what was with the Villain? Least scariest villain ever quite possibly. Felt very tacked on.
Whats more the whole part where she says to him "we have to stay apart to stay immortal" was clearly put in to tell the audience what was going to happen. We shouldn't have to be told what is going on! The whole ending was kinda disappointing.
Oh and what was with the Villain? Least scariest villain ever quite possibly. Felt very tacked on.
My recommendation, do as I did and go in with really low expectations and you'll come out satisfied. There are enough jokes during it for you to laugh with your mates about on the way back to the car outside the cinema. You wont be talking about the story though.
Oh and Charlize Theron is hot.
Mgoblue201
Won't stop picking the right nation
Possible spoilers follow for those who haven't seen the movie. You've been warned.
There are things about the movie that work. These types of movies usually go the same way, but having him face jail time of his own volition worked well enough. A super hero who could do anything and yet takes responsibility was an obvious way of drawing sympathy (especially since Will Smith is always so likable in all of his roles, even when he's an ass). His "escape attempts" were only partially effective. Having the guards so on edge was another way of creating sympathy (Hancock vs. a world that doesn't understand him as he is torn between responsibility and freedom), but it was all a little too obvious.
I think that the "venting" scenes really worked, however, because he never went all of the way. Admitting that he was an alcoholic was as far as he could go, and that was enough to effectively set up his redemption.
The humor of course held the entire picture together because it was so charming, which forced some emotional connection that the rest of the movie played on. I have to agree with everybody else who says that the second half kind of fell flat. They finally built up enough good faith with the movie, and then they go for something that any other super hero movie could have done. They almost took all of the novelty out of Hancock.
I suppose it wasn't all that bad. There were potentially worse outcomes. After all, the generic approach would have been to introduce an element that sets Hancock back and makes him question everything he has gone through. Then, through a predictable conflict, he is redeemed fully. That would have doomed the movie completely. But I think that there were still some interesting routes that could have been explored had they built on the first half a lot more than they did. It almost felt like the first half was just an exercise in character development so that you would give a damn when they turn the story on its head and introduce elements that couldn't stand on their own.
There are things about the movie that work. These types of movies usually go the same way, but having him face jail time of his own volition worked well enough. A super hero who could do anything and yet takes responsibility was an obvious way of drawing sympathy (especially since Will Smith is always so likable in all of his roles, even when he's an ass). His "escape attempts" were only partially effective. Having the guards so on edge was another way of creating sympathy (Hancock vs. a world that doesn't understand him as he is torn between responsibility and freedom), but it was all a little too obvious.
I think that the "venting" scenes really worked, however, because he never went all of the way. Admitting that he was an alcoholic was as far as he could go, and that was enough to effectively set up his redemption.
The humor of course held the entire picture together because it was so charming, which forced some emotional connection that the rest of the movie played on. I have to agree with everybody else who says that the second half kind of fell flat. They finally built up enough good faith with the movie, and then they go for something that any other super hero movie could have done. They almost took all of the novelty out of Hancock.
I suppose it wasn't all that bad. There were potentially worse outcomes. After all, the generic approach would have been to introduce an element that sets Hancock back and makes him question everything he has gone through. Then, through a predictable conflict, he is redeemed fully. That would have doomed the movie completely. But I think that there were still some interesting routes that could have been explored had they built on the first half a lot more than they did. It almost felt like the first half was just an exercise in character development so that you would give a damn when they turn the story on its head and introduce elements that couldn't stand on their own.
Pretentious usually means self importance. In movie terms that usually means that it's trying to be greater than it really is while forgetting about what constitutes good storytelling. Generally speaking, I don't think that neither action movies nor comedies really are pretentious, and Hancock is mostly a mixture of both. Overwrought, perhaps, but it's not making any sweeping claims that make you think that it's trying to tell something that it is not equipped to handle. None of the technical aspects get too big for themselves. It is what it is on the surface: a desperate, lonely super hero looking for acceptance.FTWer said:
Ugh.
Movie was a perfectly entertaining send-up of the superhero genre but they had to go in and shoehorn in an 'explanation' and get all serious and dramatic. Peter Berg has no idea how to develop a coherent plot. I think he and his screenwriters suffered thru multiple bouts of amnesia when developing this thing.
Movie was a perfectly entertaining send-up of the superhero genre but they had to go in and shoehorn in an 'explanation' and get all serious and dramatic. Peter Berg has no idea how to develop a coherent plot. I think he and his screenwriters suffered thru multiple bouts of amnesia when developing this thing.
SpeedingUptoStop
will totally Facebook friend you! *giggle* *LOL*
co-signed.Smiles and Cries said:
Count Dookkake
Member
So, given the spoilers in this thread, do they at least make a joke about or passing reference to
?
black man's kryptonite
AKingNamedPaul
I am Homie
Movie was loads of fun and I'm glad I saw it. Wish Wall.E was playing at the theater I went to but this was a good movie and Will smith is great. <33333 Micheal Bluth who's real name slips my mind and I got a lot of laughs out of the movie.
Hancock:
Better than Indy, no where near as good as Hulk or Iron Man.
It's been said, but Theron telegraphs the big twist in the first 15 minutes.
The movie is 90 minutes long but feels like 2 hours...in a bad way. It drags a lot.
Things seem to happen out of order.
It wasn't a terrible movie but it's mediocre at best.
Better than Indy, no where near as good as Hulk or Iron Man.
It's been said, but Theron telegraphs the big twist in the first 15 minutes.
The movie is 90 minutes long but feels like 2 hours...in a bad way. It drags a lot.
Things seem to happen out of order.
The three bad guys in prison decide to break out and get Hancock...three scenes before Hancock discovers he is losing his powers and the media mentions Hancock is in the hospital. So how do these three criminals, who got seriously owned by Hancock before, expect to be able to get revenge before this happens?
It wasn't a terrible movie but it's mediocre at best.
Femmeworth
Banned
I was planning to go see this with some friends tomorrow. I'm having second thoughts. Maybe I should go see see Wall E again. :\
DevelopmentArrested
Banned
Not worth seeing.
Pros:
Jason Bateman was phenomenal, doing his best Michael Bluth impression.
Many laughs in the first half and hour.
new 007 trailer
Cons:
Story falls completely apart in the latter part of the film.
The main villian is a complete joke
Music sucked and CG of
Pros:
Jason Bateman was phenomenal, doing his best Michael Bluth impression.
Many laughs in the first half and hour.
new 007 trailer
Cons:
Story falls completely apart in the latter part of the film.
they are weak when together yet somehow they are fighting full force against each other after the plot twist?
The main villian is a complete joke
Buster's hand anyone?
Music sucked and CG of
Smith flying is terrible.
AlphaSnake
...and that, kids, was the first time I sucked a dick for crack
The movie was a pile of shit. Worst Will Smith movie ever.
Charlize Theron looked insanely hot in the movie, though.
Charlize Theron looked insanely hot in the movie, though.
Saw it tonight. I thought it was alright, but I really wish they hadn't given so much away in the trailers. I felt like I'd already seen all of the best scenes and heard all of the best lines.
The second half really weakened the movie as a whole. They should've just stretched out the first half to a full movie,
The second half really weakened the movie as a whole. They should've just stretched out the first half to a full movie,
left out the plot twist with Charlize Theron, and just left his origin a mystery.
Darko
Member
Went to see Wall-E again and ended up seeing this as well, despite the awful reviews. It wasnt THAT bad, but it definatley took it self too seriously for most of the movie it needed more superhero moments like the
to balance it out, they spent to much time on
...I didnt think theron '
, but it was obviously acted that way for a reason.
Plothole:
Overall it was a decent movie the Theater was PACKED and audience loved it, Will Smith got another hit on his hands.
exactly what I was thinking when I was watching it.
jail conrontation +youtube clips + the ending(mike epps ftw)
the jail+ AA Meetings
ruined the twist, you can definatley tell there was something by the way she looks at him
Plothole:
why the fuck would the bad guys plan to get hancock before they knew he had lost his powers?
Overall it was a decent movie the Theater was PACKED and audience loved it, Will Smith got another hit on his hands.
KevinCow said:
exactly what I was thinking when I was watching it.
Ford Prefect
GAAAAAAAAY
Same here. The whole thing is still pretty bad and ridiculous, but I thought it would be much worse for some reason. Jason Bateman makes the first half tolerable, but once actual plot development is attempted, the movie fails miserably. Will Smith sticking guys' heads up each others' asses is the absolute stupidest thing I've ever seen in a movie.FoneBone said:
If any a Will Smith movie were to bomb, I would think this would be this one. It's just simply not that appealing, even on a commercial level. I wouldn't be surprised if it failed to meet box office expectations.
DeadFalling
Member
KevinCow said:
Agreed.
The entire Charlize Theron twist was just dumb.
Battersea Power Station
Member
I predict that omg rite loves it... and everything else.
Definitely think they could have just made the first half into the whole movie. Stretched it out more. Make him have battles with his 'inner demons'. Reveal that the reason he doesn't want to be a superhero is cause he killed a kid trying to save him. That might have been dumb though. Think it would have been better than the twist.
Only good part about the twist was that Theron is totally hot.
Only good part about the twist was that Theron is totally hot.
Mr. Spinnington
Banned
just looked through the thread...
THAT'S the twist?!? it was in the trailers!
i even pointed it out to anyone talking about the movie that they spoil the whole thing in the end of nearly any trailer :lol :lol :lol :lol
wow
THAT'S the twist?!? it was in the trailers!
i even pointed it out to anyone talking about the movie that they spoil the whole thing in the end of nearly any trailer :lol :lol :lol :lol
wow
Battersea Power Station said:
I'm sorry that I don't bitch and moan like an internet nerd about everything. I'll be sure to be more negative in the future.
MMaRsu said:
So the general opinion is that it's not good?
Actually the general opinion in this thread is more people enjoying it than not so far. Did you even read it?
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
Ford Prefect said:
probably.
but i am legend was much less enjoyable to me. nunziata over at chud.com pointed out how bizarrely cut hancock is, and i think he's very much on to something. it's sort of all over the place in the second half. it's a shame, because i think the first half of the movie was really fun.
Though I thought the head-up-the-ass was stupid, I wouldn't say it really goes downhill until the dinner scene (where Hancock discusses his "origin") which is, of course, followed by the Big Twist.Ford Prefect said:
The worst example of the uneven tone in the last act is the hospital scene near the end -- which abruptly shifts from an Emotional Moment to GUNS! EXPLOSIONS! with no sense of pacing.
And anyone who can make sense of the "rules" governing
Smith and Theron's "pairing"
Was really looking forward to seeing this, and walked out not hating it but not liking it. As many have already said, it completely falls apart halfway through. The process of Hancock going from hated bum to actual superhero happens WAY too fast, and after that, the whole idea of getting the world to appreciate him again seems almost forgotten. The second half "origins" stuff was completely unnecessary, and just caused the movie to go through its second half without anything seriously interesting happening.
Movie should have been the first half fleshed out into a 1.5 ~ 2 hour movie. A big deal was made about all of the destruction Hancock causes when doing what he does, so why then was him trying to fight crime while also thinking about others such a small part of the movie? Make the big climax some huge event that goes terrible wrong, and Hancock has to save the day while also trying to seem more like a superhero.
Movie should have been the first half fleshed out into a 1.5 ~ 2 hour movie. A big deal was made about all of the destruction Hancock causes when doing what he does, so why then was him trying to fight crime while also thinking about others such a small part of the movie? Make the big climax some huge event that goes terrible wrong, and Hancock has to save the day while also trying to seem more like a superhero.
"God's Beard!"
Member
Loses its charm and novelty in one sudden move halfway though the movie and basically turns into a cartoon. The first half was much better, but it was basically the extended version of the trailers. The movie stops being interesting about 20-30 minutes in, when the makers basically abandoned Hancock's character and made him a generic superhero, which was dissappointing. Bait and switch.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
Xenon said:
definitely. the best moments belong to bateman and will smith, and they're in the interactions.
the rundown is actually much more balanced than hancock. dwayne johnson deserves some props for that movie--he was fantastic.
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