Hancock (2008)

Denby finds Hancock a surprisingly resonant and highly enjoyable summer spectacle. He especially praises Will Smith and Charlize Theron’s performances and the emotional charge between them.

Robinson finds Hancock an original, daring mix of superhero action, comedy, and tragedy, though its pieces do not entirely add up. She praises its lively humor and heroics, along with the surprise of seeing a familiar superhero genre take an unexpected turn.

The critic’s verdict is unavailable because the review text is behind a paywall. The accessible page does not reveal what the critic praises or criticizes.

Ebert finds the film entertaining at first but increasingly muddled as it goes on. He praises its irreverent humor, while faulting the story for losing focus.

The review is moderately positive, enjoying Will Smith’s turn as the disreputable superhero. It singles out the inspired comedy of Hancock’s drunken antics as a strength.

Farber finds the film uneven, with a promising comic setup that gives way to muddled storytelling. He praises Will Smith’s charisma and acting, alongside the strong supporting performances and eye-catching effects.

The review finds Hancock better than its troubled production history suggests, with a cracking first half and a solid second. It praises Will Smith’s barbed comic performance and the film’s cruel humor, while faulting the second half’s murky mythology and rushed climax.

Schager finds the film initially intriguing but ultimately illogical and rushed. He praises Smith’s charming performance, while criticizing the revelations that derail the story.

Newman finds the film uneven, caught between superhero parody and conventional drama. He praises Jason Bateman’s sweet, earnest performance but faults the story’s lack of coherence.

Calhoun gives the film a poor two-star verdict. The visible standfirst singles out its rough-edged, alcohol-fueled superhero premise by comparing it with Superman III.

Kermode finds Hancock promising but ultimately disappointing as it retreats into conventional superhero spectacle. He praises Peter Berg’s handling of the film’s edgy opening half-hour, but faults its later loss of confidence.

Turan finds the film promising at first but ultimately bizarre and unsatisfying. He praises Will Smith’s charisma and the cleverness of the initial superhero concept, while faulting the abrupt, convoluted plot turn that derails it.

McCarthy finds the film’s promising superhero premise squandered by weak storytelling and increasingly illogical plot turns. He praises the effects as snazzy, while faulting the shaky visual style and underdeveloped scenario.

Kermode finds the film entertaining and more fun than expected, despite its weak villain and uneven pace. She particularly praises Will Smith’s subtle performance and Jae Head’s impressive turn.

The critic finds the film imperfect but ultimately charming and more than a routine blockbuster. They praise its humorous genre riffs and willingness to embrace bizarre plot twists.

Brew finds the film muddled and uneven, criticizing its failure to resolve its shifting tone or deliver a satisfying ending. He praises some effects work and occasional strong sequences, while noting Charlize Theron is on good form.

The critic calls the film a curious failure that never settles on a consistent tone. They single out its shift into laboured melodrama as the key reason it unravels.