Nothing super about “Hancock”

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| Thursday, July 3, 2008 9:42 AM CDT | () comments

(Columbia Pictures) Will Smith, right, plays a hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public in “Hancock.” Buy this Photo

“Hancock” is a mess of a movie, a bizarre combination — believe it or not — of “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” and “Breaking the Waves.”

Audiences love Will Smith, and there’s no doubt they will see this movie by the millions. But the script, which is bright enough at first, suddenly veers onto a grotesque avenue that will have viewers scratching their heads in bewilderment.

It’s Smith himself who gives some life to the picture as Hancock, an alcoholic Los Angeles superhero who destroys property while taking in the bad guys. Although Hancock has proven himself a capable crimefighter, he’s anything but beloved by those who chide him for being a jerk. Even little kids sneer at him. In fact, the district attorney wants to put Hancock behind bars because of all the destruction he’s caused.

But then he meets publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman, “Juno”), who encourages Hancock to consider what life would be like if people really appreciated him. Hancock isn’t so sure he wants to undergo a humbling experience, let alone — as Ray suggests — a stint in prison. But Ray assures him that he knows what’s best and that he can emerge an honest-to-goodness superhero if Hancock will just go behind bars for a while.

For the first hour, we enjoy Hancock’s inner turmoil as he searches for clues about his past and tries to become someone who is respected and well-liked. Only Smith can give Hancock the outer attitude to mask the inner sadness that allows us to root for the guy, who certainly is as unlikeable and rude as everyone seems to think he is.

It’s fun to watch Hancock grapple with his inner demons while Ray patiently tries to explain to him the importance of being polite and appearing more polished when he saves the day.

Then, just the plot starts to become really interesting, the film takes that abrupt, preposterous turn and the storyline focuses on another issue entirely, causing the show to lose most of its entertainment value along with nearly all of its logic. The movie never clarifies what it’s supposed to be: A fantasy? A comedy? A romance? An actioner?

The script is unclear in its focus, and that makes the movie impossible to define.

Parts of the movie are entertaining. But the film is weakened by its wandering focus.

This is not worthy of Fourth of July blockbuster status.

2 stars

Running time: One hour and 32 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for violence and foul language

Stars: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head and Eddie Marsan

Director: Peter Berg

Screenwriters: Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan