by Daniel Cummings

Created on: September 09, 2008

Smith turns super, Big Willie style.

After last year's excellent, downbeat, moody thriller I Am Legend, the fresh prince returns too more summer blockbuster fare with Hancock. Smith plays John Hancock, a superhero with a major attitude and drinking problem. It doesn't matter how many times he helps someone out; millions of dollars worth of property always gets destroyed. Thus making him as unpopular with the public as he is with the criminals he helps put away. Thankfully though, kindhearted PR Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) is willing to put his neck on the line to help give him a much-needed makeover after Hancock saves his life. Ray persuades Hancock to all together clean up his act and even undergo a prison sentence as part of the makeover process.

Hancock certainly isn't your average superhero blockbuster. The first half of the picture in particular is peppered with barbed humour and ballsy attitude that you wont find in any other superhero picture. It's this aforementioned first half that showcases the film at its best; it's fresh and very, very funny.

Once the movie hits the mid-point a plot twist initially threatens to ruin proceedings but as the story and characters backgrounds unravel it doesn't turn out to have a negative effect. Despite those backgrounds being a bit ropey and not fully explained.

The fresh prince is on top form throughout, in particular giving his funniest performance in years, all within the early scenes of the picture. And in similar vein of recent, more dramatic performances, Smith is in fine form in the later parts of the film when more emotional scenes kick in.

Thankfully though Smith is backed up with equally impressive turns from Oscar winner Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman (The Kingdom, Juno) who are given more screen time and more to chew on than you might first expect. The duo provides a subtle heartbeat for the movie to play off.

Director Peter Berg is no stranger to action sequences with 2003's Welcome To The Jungle and 2007's The Kingdom, under his belt. So no surprises here that the action filled scenes are handled efficiently, with his trademark handheld camera effect and use of close-ups. The special effects work is impressive too including an ingenious scene where Hancock attempts to save a stranded whale.

Overall the film has a nice mix of comedy and action making for a near-perfect action/comedy. This is perfectly realised in a scene where Hancock, after his jail sentence, swoops in to stop a bank robbery. His entrance is aided by a fake superman score and a brand spanking new super suit that's, as Hancock quips, a little tight'. He makes the cleanest landing he ever has, all be it, slightly awkwardly and then hilariously tells every police officer he sees good job' complete with a thumps up and an uncomfortable smile.

Unsurprisingly there are already whispers of a possible sequel but for me this is one superhero that has taken his full journey in one single outing.

Verdict:
Peter Berg delivers his best film to date with this fresh and funny superhero movie, packing plenty of attitude and heart as well.

4 Stars

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