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Reviews

Hancock

Comedy or existential drama?

By BRETT MICHEL | July 1, 2008

1.5 Stars

Peter Berg is suffering from an identity crisis. Is he an actor? (See: The Kingdom.) A director? (See: well . . . The Kingdom.) Maybe not the best person with whom to entrust a Will Smith blockbuster. Berg’s latest, which suffers from a major identity crisis midway through, could be the biggest test of Smith’s ability to open a summer “tent-pole” picture since 1999’s equally addled The Wild Wild West. Is it a comedy? An existential drama? Smith plays John Hancock, superbeing and amnesiac. Known less for the crimes he prevents than for the property damage he causes, this drunken, surly “hero” ignores a warrant for his arrest until he saves the life of a naive publicist (Jason Bateman) who despite the better judgment of his wife (Charlize Theron) takes him on as a reclamation project. Will jail time reshape Hancock’s public image? What will restore Smith’s? 92 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle + Suburbs

Legend of the last
It all comes down to Will power
The Pursuit of Happyness
A career-capping performance for Smith
The Kingdom
Let the carnage begin!
More

Topics: Reviews , Will Smith , Peter Berg , John Hancock , More

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ARTICLES BY BRETT MICHEL

WERE THE WORLD MINE | December 03, 2008
A clumsy, queer take on the Bard

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Tests the audiences' tolerance of grim cheer

DROWNING IN A SEA OF RED | November 07, 2008
Seeing Saw

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA | November 05, 2008
An uninspired sit-com packed with Hollywood stars

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