2 of 2

Jason Bateman plays Hancock's image consultant

In terms of themes, Hancock deals with standard superhero fare: reluctant heroism, the burden of power, fate vs. choice, etc. There are also some nice commentaries on altruism: doing good deeds even when you get nothing for it, or "giving back" because it is trendy and good PR. A lot of these themes have potential, but as with a lot of Hancock, they never quite hit their stride or connect like they should.

But most of Hancock's faults can be forgiven in light of the film's major upside: Will Smith. He proved he can carry a movie on his own with last year's I Am Legend, and Hancock succeeds mostly because of him. Playing his second pseudo-homeless person in two years (the first was in The Pursuit of Happyness), Smith mixes his trademark comic delivery, impressive action star bravado, and everyman appeal to create a hero who is quintessentially American: flawed, frayed, but always sacrificing for the sake of others.

Talk About It

1. Do you see any parallels between the way Hancock is treated by the public and the current political scene in America?
2. What parallels do you see between Hancock and Ray in the way they approach altruism?
3. What does the film have to say about sacrifice?
4. Late in the film, Mary says, "Fate doesn't account for everything. We have a choice." Is her statement justified by film's end?

The Family Corner

Hancock is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and language. It contains its fair share of obscenities, and there are also a few sex jokes, including a prison gag that offers a not-so-subtle reference to prison rape. There is a lot of violence, but very little blood. Overall this is a film that families with older children could enjoy together, with caution, though its value is mostly that of popcorn escapism and doesn't offer much in the way of thematic discussion fodder.

Photos © Copyright Sony Pictures

© Brett McCracken subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

• Plugged In
  
• Crosswalk
  
• Catholic News Service
  
• Past the Popcorn

first page |  2 of 2