Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock's well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough -- as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn't the kind of man who cares what other people think -- until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey, and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock's greatest challenge yet -- and a task that may prove impossible as Ray's wife, Mary, insists that he's a lost cause.

Hancock raises the question what would happen in a world where superheroes are present and their consequences are very real. No glossed over Hollywood moments, just lots of destruction and mayhem not only created by the villains but also by the one that is supposed to be the hero. Hancock also brings up the question what if the superhero was a jerk, a rude, uncaring egotistical person that is only helping because he thinks he is supposed to be helping. This is not your Father’s Superman where right and wrong are black and white and where boy in blue can do no wrong, this is a tale of a superhero that causes as much damage and pain at times that he is trying to stop. It is an interesting idea, a unique idea and an extremely entertaining story. Its not the everyday average tale where no matter how much wrong the superhero does trying to do right everyone loves him, it’s a story of our modern world where everything can become polarized and where nothing is simple.

Hancock is not taking a shot at superhero movies or trying to spoof them it is taking a completely different look at the genre where there is consequences to actions and where a superhero would leave destruction in their paths as well as many angry people affected by it. It is a unique take on the superhero world and one that is probably way over due. There are no super villains just one extraordinary man who is just like you or me, someone who can be a jerk, can be uncaring and has grown tired of the world. I think Spiderman hit on this a little about how hard it is to be a superhero and how the love is not always there but Hancock takes it to the next level and makes its main character also a jackass. It takes the whole comic book trend and flips it on its ear and makes for one of the more enjoyable movies in the genre.

That’s not to say the movie is without fault because there is a few moments in the movie where you have to think is that all they could really come up. The origins of Hancock are so ambiguous that you almost have to wonder why they even included them. I am reminded of that line from Thank You For Smoking where they said thank god we invented so and so as a one line substitution to something that should not be possible. The origins of the movie are the same, Hancock is this he was once this try and forget we ever even mentioned it. I mean it leaves a dark shadow on an otherwise great movie.

I am a big fan of Will Smith and there is a reason he is the current king of the box office. He is charismatic and likeable and an amazing actor. Even when he is playing jerks like Hancock you still can not help but find yourself cheering for him and liking him. He is the perfect example of a Hollywood and Movie Star something that I think has lost its appeal in the last decade or so. Charlize Theron is gorgeous as well as a pretty good actress but her role is completely undeveloped in the movie. She appears as that one line solution to Hancock and really doesn’t fit in the movie. While Jason Bateman adds a lot of the comedy to the movie but is definitely played way to far in the altruistic good getter kind of way. The movie is fun, entertaining and the perfect summer popcorn blockbuster.

Grade: B+