Thursday, July 03, 2008
23:28 by FoxTwo First off - there will be NO spoilers in this post, so people who haven't watched it won't see things they don't want to see.
I managed to get a couple of free tickets to this movie and thus I caught it tonight, 3 July 2008 (same release day as US, ie 2nd July over there). Initially from the cinematic trailers found everywhere, it seemed to be a story of a downtrodden super hero, played by Will Smith. However, the story is not so straightforward.
Needless to say, I was engrossed throughout the movie and I bet I wouldn't even have to munch on any snacks if I did buy some. The lead character, Hancock, is so named because he has amnesia. He has no memory of how he got his super powers nor his name. He woke up in the hospital and decided to discharge himself, and the nurse at the counter requested for his "John Hancock" before she could release him. A "John Hancock", in US slang, means "signature". It is derived from the famous underwriters, John Hancock, where their signature is proof enough that the item is legit or worth what is written out to be. So, the lead character decided to adopt the name John Hancock for himself.
You can really identify with the super hero lead character because he's an ass, and is hated by people. While he might save people's lives or foil robberies, he does so with total disregard to property, and usually ends up demolishing half the city while trying to bring crooks in. Hancock behaves like this because he is all alone in this world - the only one of his kind.
He does not see himself as a hero, merely a lonely man in this world. He doesn't wear a costume nor a mask. Since he's alone, he has nobody to protect. Thus he has no need of a secret identity. Everyone knows who he is. He the "a**hole" to everybody.
His life changed when he saved the life of an image consultant. The man is so grateful to Hancock that he decides to help Hancock change his public image, and sets about bugging Hancock to be more "heroic" than just being an a**hole with super powers.
As the movie unfolded, there were many funny moments to break the sometimes sombre mood when Hancock is alone and reflecting on his life. I really would not want to bring up any specifics lest it spoils your enjoyment. Needless to say, I find them funny. One example would be his super-hero costume (which you'd have seen in trailers anyway). Just listen to the dialog when the image consultant friend first presented it to Hancock. Personally I find his costume too much like the X-men movie costumes - mostly black with some light coloured trimmings. Not very super-heroic, but cool.
Towards the end, you will find that the story isn't what it seemed. Hancock cleans himself up, and then starts to get the adulation of the general public.
I was a little disappointed not to see Will Smith topless in the movie. Would have loved to look at his rippling body to motivate myself for my workouts. Ah well.
This is a movie where I'll definitely buy the DVD to keep and watch again at a future date.
Oh yes, do stay a bit during the credits. There's a funny scene right in the middle of the rolling credits. Don't just stand up and walk out.
23:28 by FoxTwo First off - there will be NO spoilers in this post, so people who haven't watched it won't see things they don't want to see.
I managed to get a couple of free tickets to this movie and thus I caught it tonight, 3 July 2008 (same release day as US, ie 2nd July over there). Initially from the cinematic trailers found everywhere, it seemed to be a story of a downtrodden super hero, played by Will Smith. However, the story is not so straightforward.
Needless to say, I was engrossed throughout the movie and I bet I wouldn't even have to munch on any snacks if I did buy some. The lead character, Hancock, is so named because he has amnesia. He has no memory of how he got his super powers nor his name. He woke up in the hospital and decided to discharge himself, and the nurse at the counter requested for his "John Hancock" before she could release him. A "John Hancock", in US slang, means "signature". It is derived from the famous underwriters, John Hancock, where their signature is proof enough that the item is legit or worth what is written out to be. So, the lead character decided to adopt the name John Hancock for himself.
You can really identify with the super hero lead character because he's an ass, and is hated by people. While he might save people's lives or foil robberies, he does so with total disregard to property, and usually ends up demolishing half the city while trying to bring crooks in. Hancock behaves like this because he is all alone in this world - the only one of his kind.
He does not see himself as a hero, merely a lonely man in this world. He doesn't wear a costume nor a mask. Since he's alone, he has nobody to protect. Thus he has no need of a secret identity. Everyone knows who he is. He the "a**hole" to everybody.
His life changed when he saved the life of an image consultant. The man is so grateful to Hancock that he decides to help Hancock change his public image, and sets about bugging Hancock to be more "heroic" than just being an a**hole with super powers.
As the movie unfolded, there were many funny moments to break the sometimes sombre mood when Hancock is alone and reflecting on his life. I really would not want to bring up any specifics lest it spoils your enjoyment. Needless to say, I find them funny. One example would be his super-hero costume (which you'd have seen in trailers anyway). Just listen to the dialog when the image consultant friend first presented it to Hancock. Personally I find his costume too much like the X-men movie costumes - mostly black with some light coloured trimmings. Not very super-heroic, but cool.
Towards the end, you will find that the story isn't what it seemed. Hancock cleans himself up, and then starts to get the adulation of the general public.
I was a little disappointed not to see Will Smith topless in the movie. Would have loved to look at his rippling body to motivate myself for my workouts. Ah well.
This is a movie where I'll definitely buy the DVD to keep and watch again at a future date.
Oh yes, do stay a bit during the credits. There's a funny scene right in the middle of the rolling credits. Don't just stand up and walk out.
Labels: movies
