--- title: "Hancock: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/hancock/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/hancock" critics_score: 53 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Hancock (2008): what the critics said Critics' score 53 from 17 reviews: 2 positive, 8 mixed, 7 negative. The reviews lean towards mixed and negative, though most critics find something to enjoy in Hancock’s irreverent superhero premise. Praise centres on Will Smith, whose charisma and barbed comic performance give the disreputable hero appeal even when the story falters. The early comedy is a recurring strength, with several critics enjoying the drunken antics and rough humour. Supporting performances and effects also earn approval, though neither attracts the same consistency of praise as Smith. The main complaint is that the promising opening gives way to muddled storytelling, with shifts in tone, murky mythology and rushed plotting weakening the film. Opinion nevertheless spreads widely. The New Yorker finds emotional resonance in Smith and Charlize Theron’s performances, while The AV Club welcomes the unusual combination of comedy, action and tragedy despite its imperfect fit. Less persuaded critics regard that same mixture as incoherent, particularly when the comedy gives way to melodrama. ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 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. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/07/07/desperate-men) ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Rating B+. 3 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hancock-1798204535) ## Screen Daily — Brent Simon Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/hancock/4039580.article) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 2.5/4. 1 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hancock-2008) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 3/5. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-1z2iyj/hancock/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Farber Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hancock-review-125025/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 4 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/hancock-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2/4. 28 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hancock/) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 July 2007. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hancock-review/) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 2/5. 1 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hancock) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 30 November 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/nov/30/mark-kermode-review-hancock-meet-dave) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-hancock1-2008jul01-story.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/hancock-1200508860/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hancock-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Paste — Paste Staff Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 7 August 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/will-smith/hancock) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 2/5. 23 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hancock-review/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2008. 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. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a104723/hancock/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/hancock.md