Trailer Tuesday: Hancock

I’ve always thought that if superheroes were real, that they’d be like Ozymandias in Watchmen or Greg Kinnear’s Captain Amazing in Mystery Men – cashing in on their name, launching a line of action figures, and running around with logos (from their various corporate sponsors) slapped all over their costume.

Will Smith’s new action-comedy-drama Hancock has a different take on the issue.

There are heroes, there are superheroes, and then there’s Hancock (Will Smith). With great power comes great responsibility - everyone knows that - everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough - as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy.

Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares what other people think - until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge yet, and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), insists that he’s a lost cause.


The offbeat concept certainly has potential. I’m particularly keen to see Will Smith playing a down and out “hero” for a change instead of his usual hip, upbeat, wisecracking self. However, given some of the test screening reviews that have already popped up online, Hancock could be very hit-and-miss. Some people have thoroughly enjoyed it as quirky popcorn entertainment. Others have hated it as strange and depressing, with a very weak storyline. So go figure? We may just have to make up our own minds with this one. Let’s just hope it’s not another My Super Ex-girlfriend…

Hancock opens on 2 July in the States. It's currently set for a 4 July release in South Africa.