Hancock is a socially inept homeless alcoholic, who has no respect for anyone. The catch of course, is that Hancock is also a superhero, who can fly, is invulnerable and fights crime when he can sober up. His general disdain for society is shown by his actions. One day he saves Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) from getting crushed by a train. Embrey is a PR man who takes Hancock under his wing and proposes to repair his terrible media image. Embrey’s wife (Charlize Theron) thinks Hancock is nothing but trouble and that her husband should stop helping him. Embrey’s first piece of advice is to let the D.A. arrest Hancock and put him in jail, making people realize that they need Hancock.

Much like the Incredibles tried to portray what might if superheroes really existed, Hancock takes a page from that book and shows what happens to a superhero, who despite his good intentions, sometimes does more harm than good. The movie starts as a satire on the superhero genre and for the first half is very good. The jokes are good and effects, while not perfect, are still pretty good. After his return to Los Angeles though, the movie falls apart. Through an interesting plot twist, Hancock learns of his origins and his past. A villain appears from out of nowhere and attacks Hancock at the exact moment he learns of his vulnerability. That shift from satire to a very dark movie is odd and totally unexpected.

All in all, the movie was pretty good, but it’s likely not going to be the summer blockbuster Sony was hoping for.

http://www.hancock-movie.com/