Blind Prophecy

Clearly I’m not the hard-ass movie critic I once was. I say this because I didn’t hate Hancock, and this apparently puts me in the minority. Even my trainer hated this movie (in fairness, it didn’t feature any boobs and I think he marks movies down for that). But I didn’t hate it. In part because my fascination with the superhero subgenre. A part of the over sci-fi world, in recent years we’ve seen the superhero subgenre–with it’s unique rules and forms–emerge and become distinct in the same way vampire stories, alien invasion films, and time travel have all become distinct (but sometimes overlapping) forms. It’s even spawned a parody movie starring Leslie Nielsen.

Anyway, Hancock explores a familiar trope for those who have been following the development of the superhero subgenre outside comic books – the real world psychological problems of a superhero. Last year’s Hero by Terry Moore and Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman are two notable examples. Even familiar superheroes are going through this focus on inner alienation and everyday struggles set against a backdrop of larger-than-life superheroics. Spiderman, Superman, the Fantastic Four – they’ve all struggled with some rather mundane problems while facing world-peril.

Hancock is an asshole with a drinking problem. He can also fly, bullets bounce off him, he can move faster than sound, and he’s really, really strong. Despite being an asshole with a drinking problem, he can’t help himself from stepping in to save the day.

The movie is your typical third act redemption tale. There are a few surprises along the way, but they’re pretty well telegraphed within the first act. But, come on people, when’s the last time you were really impressed with the originality of a Will Smith independence day flick? Was it that time they interfaced a mac with alien technology to save the world?

There’s nothing wrong with Hancock that a few realistic expectations wouldn’t solve. I mean, if I tell you “it’s like Superman, but he’s an alcoholic and unsure of who he is and how he got here,” how much of the plot could you construct? Do you really think Superman is going to die in the third act? Or that he’ll fail to save the city?

So I enjoyed the movie despite the predictable story. I enjoy the idea of a hero discovering his own origin story and finding purpose in the process. I enjoy the examination of how society would react if they did encounter a real superhero who didn’t seem to care about property damage or being polite. And I enjoyed a simple popcorn flick as a midsummer break.

I promise I’ll try and find something to dislike about a movie before the end of the year.

Filed under: movies by Jere Keys