After a year in which we’ve been inundated with superhero movies, all of which have been, to a greater or lesser extent, better than expected, we finally come to Hancock. On paper, it has the edge over all its rivals - it isn’t hampered by an original comicbook source, and it has two charismatic leads in Will Smith and Charlize Theron.
In practice, however, it’s a confused film that squanders its early comedic promise with an abrupt shift in tone and a nonsensical plot twist.
Home cinema fans will find something to enjoy in Hancock. The effects are sharp and detailed and the Dolby 5.1 TrueHD soundtrack has such breadth and clarity that even a city-wrecking superhero fight in the middle of a thunderstorm remains clear and decipherable. You can find out if the effects and audio are enough to save the film by watching The Leisure Lab’s Hancock review.