Superhero Media: Hancock

What the hell was this meant to be? No, really, what was the intent with this film? Is it an attempt to cash-in on the burgeoning Superhero film market? If so, the "angel" element is confusing and works against the theme. Is it just another Will Smith action vehicle? If so, the action is lacking and too much time is spent on character. There are some interesting elements and ideas in the film, but none are really capitalised on and the whole thing feels incomplete. Smith is pretty good in the role, but I cant help but feel that Jason Bateman would have been a more convincing drunk and a relationship between him and Charlize Theron's character could have opened up some fun little in-jokes to keep the lighter tone of the first act.

There are some great bits in the film, the bank robbery, the exploration of the commercialisation and monetising of a superhero and the convenience store hold-up are highly engaging, but feel disjointed from much of the narrative. I don't, for a second, object to the idea of a superhero narrative that centers around a romantic relationship, only that Hancock probably could have benefited from being more coherent across the board. If it was a romantic narrative, why not sideline the rebuilding of a life, or focus on the redemption and leave the romance for the next film? I never felt like I was watching a cohesive film, merely a series of ideas that had been thrown together.

I know that Hancock has a devoted following, with spin-off comics, regular sequel teases and rumblings about Marvel and/or DC tie-ins, but I simply do not get it. The film is not unique enough to be overly interesting, the production is too good to be classed as cult cinema and yet too poor to be a true blockbuster. I'm simply at a loss with this one, it didn't make a lot of sense and just was not overly interesting; don't expect Hancock to turn up in an Ultimate Alliance game anytime soon.