Movie Review: Hancock

Like it or not put Will Smith in a movie and odds are good it will be a smash. Likeable in the extreme, some skeptics are wondering whether Mr. Smith’s newest outing will prove to be a flop like Wild Wild West or a smash like Men In Black. Thanks to a smart script and that nonchalant devil may care attitude consider Hancock to be a treat though somewhat of a different perspective.
Unlike most heroes our Hancock is not the most pleasant of guys. Alcohol rubs this dude the wrong way which grates on the citizenry of Los Angeles. Long the scourge of law enforcement our mild-mannered foul-mouthed skid-row dweller sure knows how to create a fuss even when his intentions are good.
Thanks to a chance encounter with Ray Embrey, a local public relations guru, our unwashed hero gets a makeover. Reluctant at first to clean up his offensive act the wonder man finally relents. Just whether Hancock can make the transition to getting some class is the six million dollar question during his 92 minute sojourn.
Director Peter Berg (Collateral) lays on the special effects and Will Smith (Independence Day) has a field day with the one liners in this rather guilty pleasure diversion. Elements of alcoholism and family breakdown are also handled here with tact. Couple of the hour Mary and Ray Embrey are well portrayed by Jason Bateman (The Kingdom) and Charlize Theron (Monster) with young Jae Head making a nice debut as a hero worshipping son.
Where the film really takes off, however, is by going into the origins of the hero.