Hancock discussion

[SSJmole]

Re: Hancock

I missed this in cinema (even if it's still in them I'll be missing) but I can't wait for Blu-ray of this to come out

 

[ProjectX2]

I thought this movie was great... until the point where Charlize Theron also has powers. And they're angels or something. And they lose powers if they're together. And they battle (which was quite cool) and they conveniently crash in front of Jason Bateman's building. Also, that criminal with a hook broke out... and his plan is to go after Hancock again? It works for us because we know Hancock is losing his powers, but it doesn't work in the story. I don't know. It fell apart in the second half. It's like they didn't know how to end it and just decided to conclude it through it's stupidity, luck and ridiculous nature. I also feel like much of the unnecessary mythology wasn't explained enough... if you're going to bring up something like this, at least make sure it's good.

I think HANCOCK was a waste. A potentially incredible movie and comment on superheroes in general which turned to **** and just annoyed me.

 

[Gothamite]

I thought this movie was great... until the point where Charlize Theron also has powers. And they're angels or something. And they lose powers if they're together. And they battle (which was quite cool) and they conveniently crash in front of Jason Bateman's building. Also, that criminal with a hook broke out... and his plan is to go after Hancock again? It works for us because we know Hancock is losing his powers, but it doesn't work in the story. I don't know. It fell apart in the second half. It's like they didn't know how to end it and just decided to conclude it through it's stupidity, luck and ridiculous nature. I also feel like much of the unnecessary mythology wasn't explained enough... if you're going to bring up something like this, at least make sure it's good.

I think HANCOCK was a waste. A potentially incredible movie and comment on superheroes in general which turned to **** and just annoyed me.

My sentiments, exactly. After the second act, it just became a sad mess of poor ideas. It felt so ridiculously churned out by money-hungry producers and lost all of its heart. The whole Hospital-scene felt like a stock "sure-fire-emotion-grabber" and it was downright offensive.

 

[ProjectX2]

HANCOCK was lots of fun. And surprisingly mature - the whole film's premise is about this superhero who's alone, desperate for love, feels compelled to help everyone, but unfortunately - hates people.

That's got so much drama in it, I love it. In fact, the film is pure gold... UNTIL they reveal who/what Hancock is and what his powers are. After that, the film falls underneath the weight of its own mythology. Some things are better left unexplained.

Spoiler

The reason for the mythology is so that Hancock would lose his powers. They needed him to lose his powers so that the criminals could threaten him at the end. See, they had a problem: either they give them powers (which is a problem because you haven't explained Hancock's powers and to give them powers is to explain Hancock); or, they take away Hancock's powers (which presents the problem of ending a superhero film without a superhero - and again, you have to explain Hancock's powers in order for him to lose them). So they did both - created a new superhero so they could have a fight (which was REALLY good) and then said, by them being together, they lose their powers so the end fight plays.

I think, it would've been better, if Hancock just began losing his powers. You don't know why. And he's HAPPY. He can be normal, no pressure, no nothing. But on the other hand - he's supposed to be in jail. People he's pissed off come after him. And so on - lots of drama there. But it doesn't solve the problem. A superhero film ends with a superhero fight. And HANCOCK is all about Hancock's inner problems, not big fights.

So this is the ending instead: Hancock, thanks to the PR, becomes a hero. And he likes being a hero. His PR guy wants to change the world. THEY DO. He takes down terrorists. No one can stop Hancock. It goes to his head. He starts doing stuff like overthrowing corrupt governments, arresting white collar criminals. Before you know it, in true THE AUTHORITY fashion, everyone is **** scared of him. And the UN set the biggest military trap and set Hancock up to be arrested/killed. That's your finale. Hancock versus the world. Can he see he's doing more damage than harm before he kills everyone? It mirrors everything - the film is about a hero who thinks he's helping but is in fact, hurting everyone. This climax takes that point to its emotional extreme. Naturally, Hancock pulls away, we have a happy ending (because we want to because we LIKE Hancock), but... still...

And the Superman-style theme for Hancock was absolutely ****ing stellar.

While this idea isn't perfect, I think I would like it a lot better than the actual choice in the movie. Maybe it's just me wanting more of THE AUTHORITY though.

And yes, the Superman-style theme was great. I immediately recognized and it kept building up... and then it all comes falling down.

 

[Gothamite]

Yeah, the music is pretty excellent in some parts. I should also mention that the flying effects in this movie are the most brilliantly fascinating and realistic since Hook.