Hancock (2008)
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An amnesiac, alcoholic, and reckless superhero must navigate his public image and a mysterious past in Los Angeles.
The story
John Hancock is an alcoholic, reckless, superhuman imbued with flight, invulnerability, and super-strength. Acting as a haphazard and unrefined superhero in Los Angeles, he is shunned, ridiculed, and hated by the public due to his drunken and careless crime fighting acts and rude, unpleasant disposition. After Hancock rescues Ray Embrey, a community-minded but struggling public relations specialist, from an oncoming train, Ray offers to help improve Hancock's public image and hopes that he will be the spokesperson for his charitable brand, "All Heart". Ray encourages Hancock to issue a public apology and surrender himself to local authorities, hoping that it will build public confidence in Hancock and create demand for him to return.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
John Hancock is an alcoholic, reckless, superhuman in Los Angeles who is widely disliked for his erratic behavior. After being rescued by a PR specialist named Ray Embrey, Hancock agrees to work with Ray to improve his public image. Following a period of imprisonment where he is forced to confront his issues, Hancock is released and, while wearing a new suit, successfully stops a bank robbery orchestrated by Red Parker. During a subsequent meeting with Ray's wife, Mary, Hancock reveals he is an amnesiac who woke up in a hospital 80 years ago. Mary reveals she also has superpowers and that they were once 'soulmates' who lost their powers by being together. After a massive brawl through L.A., they learn that staying apart is the only way to maintain their abilities. When Parker attacks a hospital where Hancock is being treated for a wound, Hancock and Mary must fight him. After the conflict, Hancock moves to New York City, and a mid-credits scene shows him confronting a criminal.
- Original title
- Tonight, He Comes
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 92
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Berg
- Writers
- Vince Gilligan · writer; Vy Vincent Ngo · writer
- Cast and characters
- Will Smith · John Hancock; Charlize Theron · Mary Embrey; Jason Bateman · Ray Embrey; Eddie Marsan · Kenneth "Red" Parker Jr.; Jae Head · Aaron Embrey
- Genres
- superhero; action; comedy; drama
- Themes
- identity; responsibility; loneliness
- Tone and mood
- action; comedy; drama
- Setting
- Los Angeles and New York City in the modern era.
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; amnesia; alcoholism
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original screenplay by Vy Vincent Ngo
- Content notes
- violence; language
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics who appreciated the premise but were put off by the shift in tone mid-way through.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Summer Action/Adventure Movie · Teen Choice Awards · 2008 · win; Favorite Movie Actor · Kids' Choice Awards · 2009 · win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Tonight, He Comes'.; The production budget was $150 million.; The film was intended to be rated PG-13 but was reviewed for an R rating twice by the MPAA.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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