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Massawyrm Sports Wood For HANCOCK!!
Hola all. Massawyrm here.
You know, to be perfectly honest Hancock has been my most anticipated film of the summer. It’s not that I wasn’t at all excited about Indy or Iron Man or Hulk or Speed Racer or that I’m not at all excited for Dark Knight or Hellboy – but those all had sure thing written all over them. I trusted the directors to deliver, and thus far they all have. Most importantly, they were all established properties. I knew what to expect. But Hancock, Hancock was a different story. It was the big giant question mark of the summer. I mean, you’ve got Will Smith who on his worst day is still mildly entertaining. And director Peter Berg, who on his worst day makes entertaining fictional films about Odessa Permian making it all the way to the state finals against Dallas Carter in 1988 when really it was actually, I don’t know, maybe the red and gray awesomeness of the Judson Rockets. Cough. Ahem. Rocket Pride.
In all seriousness, Peter Berg is one of those guys that I group in along with guys like Favreau. He’s got a solid body of work, he gets better with every film, and he’s just waiting for that big, huge mega success to launch him into the category of guys we talk about in terms of only their last name. Hell, he gave us Duane Johnson’s first great flick (The Rundown) and made the very best of the current crop of Iraq War films, (The Kingdom.) He’s due. And guess what? Now he’s got it.
Hancock is one hell of a fun, raucous, audacious super hero movie that takes a number of the conventions of the genre and turns them on their ear. It is Superman if Superman had finally gotten fed up of not knowing who he really was or where he came from and just said “Fuck it. I’m gonna have a drink.” And then didn’t stop. If you think you know where this movie is going, think again. You don’t. The first trailer only gave you snippets of the first ten minutes, cutting out all the edginess and showing us the family friendly drunken Will Smith. The second trailer? Only the first 30 minutes or so. In fact, there’s a major character in this movie, played by of all people Charlize Theron who they don’t even dare to show. This film has its secrets and thank god for that, because the secrets it has make for one hell of an entertaining Super Hero flick.
This isn’t what it appears to be. It’s not a spoof, it’s not a series of gags. It’s a super hero character study about a very messed up guy who proves to be all too human. There was no Uncle Ben and his “with great power” hullaballo, or a Professor X to take him in and teach him how to use his powers. There was his buddies Jim Beam and Jack Daniels and a park bench to sleep them off with. And this film never for a moment bothers to pull these punches. But at the same time Hancock is very, very funny. Incredibly funny.
Hancock was made with a lot of love. Not just love for the material, but love for the genre. It is a piece very much in love with the notion of superheroes and other superhero movies. And yet, while that love is prevalent, it never begs, borrows or steals from them. It is simply its own thing that very much deserves to be spoken of along side them. The superhero gags in this aren’t just funny, they are gutbustingly, doubled over in your chair holding your side hilarious. But they are character comedy – not spoof. It never really makes fun of the genre – it only strives to have fun with it. And that’s what really makes this work.
Will Smith is so unbelievably likable in this, delivering a memorable performance the likes of which will probably be held amongst his most popular. It perfectly meshes everything he does well into one single perfect character. It’s got plenty of off the cuff humor mixed with a healthy dose of pathos all gelling together just right to form something of a smart assed drunken 800lb gorilla that nobody can really say shit to without having their ass handed back to them. And he fucking nails it. It’s everything they’ve tried to do with Wolverine over the last few attempts and never gotten quite perfect. It’s like they never wanted Wolvie to be the asshole he is in the comics for fear that audiences wouldn’t like him. Well, Hancock is that kind of asshole, and you don’t like him. You fucking love him.
And as an added bonus, it’s a movie with no canon to fuck up. So when this movie begins going in directions you never imagined, it doesn’t send your geek cerebral cortex atwitter and into overdrive trying to put together the pieces. It just grabs you by the scruff of your neck and says hold the fuck on. It gets crazy, but by the time you walk out every bit of it works and makes sense within its universe. They’re crafting a mythology and when all is said and done, it is a pretty great and solid one.
Yeah, Hancock is pretty fucking great. But it does have a number of small flaws. Three in fact that each in their own way keep it from being perfect. The first is that while the music is pretty fantastic at times, there are a few weird cues that take you out of the movie for a moment. There’s a point where the Sanford and Son theme kicks in for almost no apparent reason and you begin to wonder if there is some joke you’re missing. Secondly, somebody borrowed Michael Bay’s Will Smith Dramatic Slo-Mo Spin tm machine and forgets occasionally to turn it off. There’s just so much movement in a few shots that it can be distracting, including one long insane spin that begins to get a little comical. I’m not talking about Blair Witch style – this is deliberate, intentional and makes you want to smack the cameraman every once in a while yelling at him to cut that shit out.
The final problem is a slightly uneven third act that sets up a number of threads that don’t entirely pay off as heavily as they should. To be fair, it pays off well enough and delivers on a number of things you aren’t expecting – but if people have problems with this, it will be with the resolution of the final act. It’s what keeps this from being an absolutely perfect entry into the genre. That said, the last minute of the film sends you out into the lobby with a grin ear to fucking ear ready to watch it all over again – so all in all it works.
This is probably one of the most satisfying films of the summer, a truly fun endeavor that offers the whole total entertainment package. This is exactly the type of movie you want to see over Fourth of July weekend and honestly, I can’t wait to see it for my second time again tonight. Highly Recommended for anyone who loves a good superhero film. If you’re a regular AICN reader this absolutely needs to go on your must see list.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
Mr. Berg, I thought I would never say this, but sir, you are finally forgiven for ASPEN EXTREME.
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+ Expand All
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Saw this last Monday. Go see it!
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damn, son.
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Should I see this or Wanted?I demand in a friendly manner that you make up my mind for me.
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if massawyrm actually liked this, it might not be so bad
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It's all he said, and more.
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I was really luke warm on seeing this but you swung me Big Willy Stylee!
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BALLS.
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I kind of had an inkling, but all the internet hype was saying it's meh, but I'll be there next week.
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I've been looking forward to seeing this film for awhile now and I'm glad to see it's finally getting some respect. It looks like big fun!
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highlighting the good, bad and ugly in equal measure.
I'm more influenced to see a film by a review that actually slags the film off to a degree. A raving 'OMG YOU MUST SEE THIS MOO-VIE' review makes me wary as rarely a film comes along that ticks all boxes (Wall-E may be in that category by all accounts). A flawed fun ride sounds like a believable version of this flick.
The studio should pay you Massa! Wall-E, Dark Knight and this now form my July cinema jaunts. -
way to toss in the Uncle Ben reference, hater.
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Ever notice damn near every Mcavoy film trailer has him in a water related situation?
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Jun 27, 2008 9:29:59 AM CDT
Is this the Hancock blowjob for the toher bad review?
by evilwizardglick
Just wonderin.
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I do agree there are score problems in this film and that the camera work was a distraction in parts. What bothered me most about Hancock was the second-rate special effects. I'm not sure if it's possible to "phone-in" special effects but whenever the action kicks ramps up in this film, I felt like I was watching a TV pilot for some new low budget sci-fi channel show. Thankfully, the actors all turn in great performances (even the little kid!) and the director knows what he is doing. The plot is spare but decent and the character mythology being developed here is very intriguing. I laughed a lot during this film. If the special effects had been less jarring, I would recommend it to others as an instant classic in the genre. Sadly, I cannot!
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Way to go to it, Massa. So ready for this movie.
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Sure about the greatness?
http://tinyurl.com/5h8ec4
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http://tinyurl.com/5hdttv
Go, Massa, Go...
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My brother and I were watching the trailers a month ago and he goes, "Oh, it's like a ghetto Superhero!" And I couldn't decide if that was just my brother being a racist asshole or if that's what the film was actually trying to put out there. But... I think I'm up for seeing it to find out.
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i can always count on the wyrm to see the fun in movies other like to poo poo. thats right, poo poo. anyway, i'm seeing it.
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I saw it Wednesday in Baltimore and I have to agree with Massawyrm: Handcock is a really good, fun movie. If you would have asked me in April what movies I thought were gonna be bad this summer, Hancock was at the top of the list. Now that the the summer is half over, Hancock is not there anymore. That #1 spot now reserved for Indy 4. Go figure :)
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did it??
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(i haven't seen it yet) but the costume he wears. such an x-men rip-off they should pay royalities.
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He's opposed to wearing the cliche black leather tight costume, which has become a staple of superhero/action flicks since Matrix/X-Men.
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I don't want to have to explain it to my 11 year old. That will be the determining factor as to whether we wait till DVD or go see it in theaters.
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Wasn't this the non-Richard Pryor portion of Superman III?
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The costume pays off.
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Jun 27, 2008 10:08:49 AM CDT
Going to enjoy this at home when it comes out on video
by hawaiian organ donor
So I'll post my review in November.In other news, for those that call Stephen Sommers a hack, on the set of GI JOE, he instructed Sienna Miller to wear fake breasts as her own cleavage was not big enough for him.
According to Miller: "I wear a tight black leather outfit. And much bigger boobs... They gave me these things that looked like chicken fillets. The director said, 'I'm gonna be honest, I like girls with big boobs,' and I don't have them so we made them bigger... At least he's honest. But I was mildly offended."
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Still unsure about this. Seems there is no in between, either people love it or hate it.
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There is a typical Will Smith trailer out on TV right now that gives away the whole movie. You know Charlieze is the one who can save him. Its not totally obvious, but its not a total secert. They ALMOST didn't ruin the movie in the trailers for once... its like they had that trailer ready to hit the tubes a month ago and some one was holding it back. But like an owner trying to hold back a jack russell, it wiggled and squeeled and broke free and went nuts.
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So, let's hope they're wrong.
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I read in the review from DVDTown that while looking at a comic book with three white superheroes, Hackcock (Will Smith) says, "Homo. Homo. Norwegian Homo." Whether or not that will fly with audiences, who knows...
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I loved the trailer but there have been a few relatively negative reviews that made me wonder if the film would be as good as it sounded. But now I'm really excited to see it again.
Plus, this bodes well for Berg's Dune adaptation. I recently saw The Kingdom and I'm pretty certain Berg will be able to do something really good with Dune now. -
if the super jizz scene made it to theaters. I don't want my kids to see that.
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...that avatar is gayer than figure skates on fire island.
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SOMEONE (cough Massa) just hit a new low...seriously though, Massa, did you go to Judson?
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Hate speech? C'mon, man. Don't be so naive.
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But heads shoved up rectums is perfectly fine for junior to watch. Interesting.
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Is it in the damn movie or not?! Every HANCOCK talkback has someone asking this and I have yet to see it answered! Man up and answer!
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Berg will win best director oscar within the next 10-20 years. I wouldn't compare him to Faveru, well because Berg is good. Faveru movies all seem to be missing something, maybe its a bad guy? There never seems to be a villin in Faverus work, people told me that there was a bad guy in Iron Man, but I must have missed it. I just saw some jealous boss who while he looked very evil, seemed like he didn't really dislike Stark that much.
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is Berg good for Dune?thats what i'm assuming the worms are about.
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Jun 27, 2008 10:41:27 AM CDT
Good Luck Fighting the Enormous Sand Cock Monster...
by read and shut up
...(canned applause).
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Since the initial trailer was focusing on the comedy and the latest thing has been the drama angle. This review is the first positive thing I've read about it in a long time. Oh, the doubts I have....
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If the movie is half as funny as the noise the flying whale makes in the trailer I'll love it
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Jun 27, 2008 10:47:07 AM CDT
There's no super jizz scene. There is that "homo" scene and...
by tom whitaker
...one other bit of Hollywood's favourite, the easy gay joke. It is a fun movie, but it's not this good. It feels hacked up and, apparently, it was. This was the 3rd cut Berg submitted before he got a PG-13. The acting and the comedy is there but the pacing and structure is off. Fun night at the flicks though.
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this movie sux... its a good concept but it just doesn't work... the whole charlize theron bad super hero is terrible. massawyrm, this is your godzilla. this is exactly what harry did for godzilla and it was shit. this movie isn't as bad as that, but its still average, and massa obviously got a bunch of money for this review... well, its common knowledge aicn is on the payroll but still, try a little harder to conceal boys!
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It screened last night at the Arclight Sherman Oaks, CA. An AICN spy must have been in attendance. I heard it's F'n awesome and that Ledger is a shoe-in for an Oscar nod.
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I'll be stealing that one.. lol.
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I really want this film to work out. I've been looking forward to it and love the premise of the messed up super hero. I also had to nod at the comment about Wolverine and realized that has been the problem with him--except for a few moments in the last sucky installment. Back to Hancock, this review, if anything will be enough to put my butt in that seat on opening day. Thanks. And wow, that penis-looking Dune wormy thing is creepy.
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Isn't that the sandworm from Tremors? Not Dune...?
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A flawed gem...that's good enough for me to take a peek at this flick.
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I'm still predicting that this movie will astronomically huge! Second only to the Dark Knight:) Will Smith will break his previous 4th of July records also.
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He is joining my own personal rankings of Ebert, Travers and Mori.Anyway, it is nice to see an original film (not remake or sequel) come out this summer. I don't have high expectations, but do have high hopes.
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thanks to screenings...hancock is a god with amnesia...theiron is his godess wife, also with amnesia...its stupid
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People need to stop putting spoilers in these talkbacks without warning people, that's just fucked up. Stop trying to spoil the movie for others just because you're an asshole. I thought from the get go that this was gonna be a good movie, and so far what I have heard is encouraging, I can't wait to see it.
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...and wait for the Luke Cage, Black Lightning, Cyborg, Vixen, Falcon, Mr. Terrific, Bishop, Amazing Man, Bronze Tiger, or Black Panther movies instead.
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If the super jiz scene or head up the ass scene are still in the movie? That is the only way I am getting laid by my girlfriend the night this movie comes out (no pun intended).
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...likes shit I hate and hates shit I like.... but always writes a damn good review.
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kingdom. you stink brah. Also you're way too easy.
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At one point, Hancock speaks to a plastic, green plant in the corner. He says, "Hey Man! Want a drink?". His superurine turns the plant into a real plant and then there is a happening.
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I'm surprised to hear Massa praise this one. I honestly didn't expect him to like it. There has been too much negative WoM about this movie for me to justify spending my hard-earned coin on it. It's got Redbox special written on it, as far as I'm concerned.
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unfortunately I don't share your love for Big Willie or Peter Berg, so we'll see.
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It's a complete mess, from beginning to end. An incoherently presented backstory, a "villain" that only qualifies for that title because it's written that way, an ending that has ZERO emotional kick because it's confusing as all hell, exposition that runs thick as molasses because it looks like all the cool stuff has been cut out... It's a disaster. Seriously, I can't believe any of the serious reviewers on this site are even recommending this film as a rental.
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It's his lot on this site. I mean look at the beginning of this review? What kind of fucking redneck sees this trailer and thinks "Oh Yeah Hancock, THAT"S gonna be great!!!" The kind of redneck that actually finds a guy sticking one dudes head up anothers ass funny apparently. Nothing this film shows off looks like it's anything other than one lowbrow cliche after the next aimed directly at Massawyrms neck of stupidity. I guess for Christmas I'll get him this and What Hapens in Vegas on DVD.
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The concept sounds interesting, a super hero that just doesn't give a fuck sounds interesting. But I pretty much hate Will Smith abd was gonna skip it, but if Massawyrm likes it... I might give it a chance.
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The peehole on the dick of humanity. I mean, what egghead wannabe reads a critic consistently, finds he has nothing to offer him, but feels the need to time and again comment on that fact. he needs a girl. Or a guy. I'm not judging.
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I can't trust you ever ever ever now.
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thats why i have always liked this site,you get more then 1 view..i mean,the next 3 reviews from these guys may it sucked..folled by another review saying how much they loved it..just because we are all geeks does'nt mean we all think alike..and there is no subsitute for what you think yourself,why get mad at a reviewer?..whats the upside?
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That is an entirely incorrect assessment. Theron is in no way the villain of this film.
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...The Kingdom considered an Iraq war film? The movie takes place in Saudi Arabia.
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It is a film entirely about the War on Terror - taking place in the midst of the Iraq War. Rather than considering it simply a "War on terror" film, of which there is what, one or two other serious entries, I consider it part of the whole movement of films - and I find it to be far superior to them all. Calling it the best war on terror film sells it short. It was not meant to be a slight to any country or people, nor infer that the film takes place in Iraq.
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You almost brought a tear to my massawyrm! i graduated 10 years ago and haven't been back to judson in years.
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I'm sure that I'll like it, and write if off as another predictable Will Smith summer action/popcorn flick. I'm sure the general audience will love it and it'll make a ton of money. The fanboys however will love it or hate in or in between.
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... that's not a girl he throws. It's the little boy who played young Michael Meyers in Zombie's HALLOWEEN REDUX.
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While batman has the potential, i'm still not sold. Batman has a limited general audience. The last one made unbder 250 domestically if i'm not mistaken. None of the Batfilms I think made over 300 mil. This one may do better then all the rest due to the passing of Heath Ledger, but even still, and I hate to be disrespectful in any way or come across as such, but honestly Ledger, while a good actor didn't have a huge fan following where people are going to flock in the see his final film, and that is more so do to him not being well known enough. At anyrate Hancock or either Indy will probably end up being the King of the Summer. I also wouldn't rule out Wall-E
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If humanity was a proverbial dick.....I would be it's PEEHOLE?? Well, flattery will get you everywhere Massa, but I don't think I'm that crucial an instrument. But i'll take the compliment you big lug. That's how you meant it right?
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Good lord man. You're like the monkey entertained over and over and over again by the same shiny rock.
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I'm not trying to belittle Batman, cause I loved the first two, and the rest went down hill, but Nolan picked up with BB, but even that was way overrated. The money Batman in 89 was the value it was at back then if i make sense. I guess if you wanna start looking at things that way you can say Irom Man made 300 million, but in dollars in 1989 that would only be this amount and so forth. it's really a pointless argument and no Bat flick has made over 300 mil and soory pal but you can't adjust for inflation cause that money or profits was also spent back in 89 by WB at the value it was at.
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