Hancock (PG-13)

Has action, heart, but superhero is an alcoholic.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
hancock.jpg
Movie details
  • Studio: Sony Pictures
  • Directed By: Peter Berg
  • Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
  • Running Time: 92 minutes
  • Release Date: 7/2/2008
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 11/24/2008
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although kids will definitely be interested in seeing this Will Smith superhero movie (thanks to both his presence and a massive marketing campaign), a definite tragic streak runs through it. That, along with the movie's other themes -- mortality, the meaning of love -- may prove too mature for young kids and tweens. There's also plenty of swearing (including an "F" word) and a fair amount of action/fantasy violence, including gunfire, cut-off hands, and Hancock himself yelling at kids and destroying buildings. That said, the movie also has a lot of heart (plus some good Will Smith comic moments) and isn't just your average popcorn flick.

Families can talk about why kids want to see this movie -- is it because of the story, or because of all the hype? Families can also discuss why Hancock is so distant and angry in the beginning of the movie. How are both Hancock the character and Hancock the movie different from and similar to other cinematic superheroes? What would you say the movie's messages are? How does Hancock change over the course of the film? What do he and Ray teach each other?

Message

Social Behavior:

Hancock isn't an entirely sympathetic hero. In fact, he's pretty tragic and troubled, and his presence troubles others. He's sometimes disrespectful of women, he scares children, and he shows little concern to everybody else. But he eventually comes around and is softened considerably by meeting a good guy who's so good that he's almost saintly. There are many depictions of criminal behavior, but they're almost always foiled by Hancock and others.

Consumerism:

Some labels/brands, including Ray-Bans, Dewars, Dodge, and Dunkin Donuts. Ray is a PR executive, and branding is his game.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Hancock is an alcoholic -- and a mean one at that -- who often flies drunk. Some social drinking.

Violence

Lots of fantasy/superhero action. Hancock is a pretty violent superhero. He yells at kids, destroys buildings and other things while he's performing good deeds, and manhandles criminals (one scene has him shoving a man's head into an unusual spot). He even takes on a young bully. Meanwhile, the official bad guys wield guns (shooting them frequently) and terrorize the citizens of Los Angeles on the freeway, during a bank holdup, in a liquor store robbery, etc. One criminal gets both of his hands cut off at different times; one scene shows it happening, quickly. He and his goons attack the main character.

Sex

A man kisses a woman who's married to someone else; lots of sexual tension between them, but no nudity/action.

Language

Salty language runs the gamut, from "hell" and "bitch" to "s--t" and "asshole" -- and finally "f--k" (but since it's PG-13, use is limited).

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by S. Jhoanna Robledo

Although he's blessed with powers even Batman would envy -- he flies, can lift cars with one hand, and is bullet-proof -- John Hancock (Will Smith) is far from your typical superhero. As HANCOCK begins, he's passed out on a bench, skuzzy and surly and surrounded by empty liquor bottles. Even when he "helps," he wreaks more havoc, ripping up streets when he lands, knocking freeway signs down, and squabbling with people who are fed up with his shenanigans. So it's perfect timing that he meets up with compassionate publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), who thanks Hancock for saving his life by making it his personal cause to refashion the superman's image. Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), isn't so sure it's a good idea. But could she have undisclosed reasons for wanting to maintain her distance?

Is it any good?

4
Surprising and original, Hancock hooks viewers within the first 10 minutes, when the movie makes it clear that you're in for a different kind of superhero movie. Who's ever seen a hero as churlish as Hancock? Fans of comic book-based films may initially be put off, but they should persevere, despite the liberties that director Peter Berg takes with the genre's fundamentals. At the very least, the special effects are superb. And just when you think you've got the movie figured out, you're handed another bolt from the blue, as the film metamorphoses from a somewhat typical Smith buddy comedy into an unexpectedly tragic and romantic film.

Hancock takes the usual superhero movie conventions and turns them on their head: Hancock doesn't just have a tragic past that compels him to do good -- a la Spider-Man -- but is himself tragic. He has no secret identity, but he has secrets he doesn't know. That, combined with strong performances from the stars (except for his propensity to squint too much, Smith manages to turn in a fairly understated performance, and Bateman's ease belies the talent that allows him to seem realistic within a fantastical frame), makes for an intellectually satisfying superhero movie. It takes a leap of faith, but ultimately it's worth the trouble.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 62 reviews.

3

Posted on 01/04/09 by Anonymous Adult contributor
1

Posted on 12/18/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Caution:Unrated version starts with sex scene

I looked at the common sense rating before renting Hancock at Netflix. It showed no sex scenes. Then I watched it at home. (Mild Spoiler Warning) At the beginning of the film, it has a woman driving Hancock back to his trailer where she wants to have sex with him. The scene that follows is inappropriate for kids. While it does not show any body parts, the conversation and results of the encounter are crude and rude. Then there is the problem with the use of swear words throughout the movie. But that rather pales to the scene where Hancock (Spoiler warning) puts one prisoner's head up another prisoner's buttocks. While we only see the results, the language was crude as is the resulting image. As for the quality of the story, it is severely lacking, and neither my 13 or 15 year old found the movie to be good or worth seeing in the first place. Very disappointing movie from Will Smith.
4


Posted on 12/07/08 by samuelcantin Adult contributor

Mature subject

My parents didn't want my 7- year old sister to watch it. I find that it's goo for kids over 10 (but not the unrated edition).
4

Posted on 12/04/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Good movie

This is a great move - it's funny, there's action..all good stuff. My 7 year old wanted to see it, but we watched it first and decided it's not really appropriate. There is a lot of violence and language. More so, in my opinion, than movies like Iron Man or The Hulk.
5


Posted on 12/03/08 by Will Smith fan! Kid contributor, age 13

best movie so far this year!

i loved it! not as bad as everyone says. Hancock is called an a**hole a lot and some intense drinking but nothing else. he does say the f word once but its not as bad as you may think. appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
3


Posted on 12/02/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

A good movie, hey it's Will Smith...

Well, to start off, this was a good movie. Hancock is an alchoholic, so you can know right now that alchohol is in this movie, and quite a bit of it. The violence is intense. This movies violence is more intense than most PG-13 movies, but still hardly pushing the PG-13 limits. Not alot of sexual content, a husband and wife lay in bed and kiss... A man kisses another man's wife. The language and vulgar humor is pushing the PG-13 limits alot. One f**k, and a lot of other harsh language. Hancock sticks a man's head up another man's behind. Parents, know your kid. This isn't for all fourteen year olds, but some will be fine...
5


Posted on 11/30/08 by Chris LP Adult contributor

My new favorite movie!!

This is by far the best superhero movie of all time. A must see for everyone.
4


Posted on 11/24/08 by Jake10 Kid contributor, age 12

Good movie, bad language...

VIOLENCE: A bit of it... Both a mans hands get cut off (first time not shown second time shown in a dark room(using an axe)). LANGUAGE: People are commonly call Hancock an a**-hole. COMMERCIALISM: I didn't notice any... SEXUAL CONTENT: Nothing that I noticed...
5

Posted on 10/31/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

Sweet Movie

Really good movie, a few swears but nothing most kids 12 and over need to worry about. Good message about never giving up. A must see for any tween to teenager.
4


Posted on 07/27/08 by baggins Adult contributor

See all 62 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 38 reviews.

3

Posted on 01/04/09 by Anonymous Adult contributor
1

Posted on 12/18/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Caution:Unrated version starts with sex scene

I looked at the common sense rating before renting Hancock at Netflix. It showed no sex scenes. Then I watched it at home. (Mild Spoiler Warning) At the beginning of the film, it has a woman driving Hancock back to his trailer where she wants to have sex with him. The scene that follows is inappropriate for kids. While it does not show any body parts, the conversation and results of the encounter are crude and rude. Then there is the problem with the use of swear words throughout the movie. But that rather pales to the scene where Hancock (Spoiler warning) puts one prisoner's head up another prisoner's buttocks. While we only see the results, the language was crude as is the resulting image. As for the quality of the story, it is severely lacking, and neither my 13 or 15 year old found the movie to be good or worth seeing in the first place. Very disappointing movie from Will Smith.
4


Posted on 12/07/08 by samuelcantin Adult contributor

Mature subject

My parents didn't want my 7- year old sister to watch it. I find that it's goo for kids over 10 (but not the unrated edition).
4

Posted on 12/04/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Good movie

This is a great move - it's funny, there's action..all good stuff. My 7 year old wanted to see it, but we watched it first and decided it's not really appropriate. There is a lot of violence and language. More so, in my opinion, than movies like Iron Man or The Hulk.
3


Posted on 12/02/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

A good movie, hey it's Will Smith...

Well, to start off, this was a good movie. Hancock is an alchoholic, so you can know right now that alchohol is in this movie, and quite a bit of it. The violence is intense. This movies violence is more intense than most PG-13 movies, but still hardly pushing the PG-13 limits. Not alot of sexual content, a husband and wife lay in bed and kiss... A man kisses another man's wife. The language and vulgar humor is pushing the PG-13 limits alot. One f**k, and a lot of other harsh language. Hancock sticks a man's head up another man's behind. Parents, know your kid. This isn't for all fourteen year olds, but some will be fine...
5


Posted on 11/30/08 by Chris LP Adult contributor

My new favorite movie!!

This is by far the best superhero movie of all time. A must see for everyone.
4


Posted on 07/27/08 by baggins Adult contributor
3

Posted on 07/27/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

One less scene = one better movie

Deleting the prison scene would make this a better movie. That was just in bad taste and not necessary
3


Posted on 07/27/08 by SM Adult contributor

Started fun--ended dark

This movie began in a comical albeit questionable way--at the end was very violent and graphically dark. The storyline could've held its own without the gross violent content and ridiculous swearing. We took our girls to see Hancock--and left towards the end when the violence became too much--gunshot wounds, knife to the back of the neck etc. Many people think kids are resilient--but remember that what we expose them to cannot be undone. Those images won't be erased from my girls' memories...not good. Also worth mentioning is that although the movie is rated PG 13 the trailers beforehand were very, very inappropriate--many were rated R and one preview was shocking--drug use, sexual content and OMG images. So, when taking your kids to see Hancock be forwarned that you will be hit with previews that will not be age appropriate in any way. I rated this movie for ages 13-16 with the preference of closer to 16.
4


Posted on 07/26/08 by hpdvs2 Adult contributor
See all 38 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 24 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/03/08 by Will Smith fan! Kid contributor, age 13

best movie so far this year!

i loved it! not as bad as everyone says. Hancock is called an a**hole a lot and some intense drinking but nothing else. he does say the f word once but its not as bad as you may think. appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.
4


Posted on 11/24/08 by Jake10 Kid contributor, age 12

Good movie, bad language...

VIOLENCE: A bit of it... Both a mans hands get cut off (first time not shown second time shown in a dark room(using an axe)). LANGUAGE: People are commonly call Hancock an a**-hole. COMMERCIALISM: I didn't notice any... SEXUAL CONTENT: Nothing that I noticed...
5

Posted on 10/31/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

Sweet Movie

Really good movie, a few swears but nothing most kids 12 and over need to worry about. Good message about never giving up. A must see for any tween to teenager.
5


Posted on 07/27/08 by TopazQueen Kid contributor, age 13

I recommend this movie for 13+,due to the language

OMG,I just saw it today with my whole family and i loved it but the language is salty/strong....but it's really funny and a bit sad when Hancock almost dead (sorry for the spoiler!) This is the best movie i've seen so far in 2008 and Will Smith did a excellent job on the acting!
5


Posted on 07/26/08 by Rednaxela Kid contributor, age 13

Great Movie

This was an awesome movie- I loved it! there was a lot of blood and gore especially at the end. Had the best plot i've seen in a while!
5


Posted on 07/22/08 by b-ball1994 Kid contributor, age 13

AWESOME!!!!!!!

This movie is awesome. I am definetly buying it on DVD. I never thought I would see a real superhero movie that could be that funny, but watch it with your kid if they are under 10.
4


Posted on 07/21/08 by avitarfan1 Kid contributor, age 11

really good

this is one of the best movies ive ever seen!u shoud see it if u havent yet.
4


Posted on 07/15/08 by david10 Kid contributor, age 10

will smith best

THIS MOVIE WAS YHE BEST WILL SMITH MOVIE EVER CREATED. IT WAS AWESOME. BUT THE MOVIE'S LANGUAGE WAS VERY STRONG INCLUDING F**K, A*S HOLE, H**L, D**N AND OTHERS.THE VIOLENCE WAS PRETTY STRONG TOO.BUT NO SEXUAL MATERIAL IN IT. FOR KIDS 14PLUS
3


Posted on 07/13/08 by katiesays Kid contributor, age 11

3 STARS ONLY

I went to seee this movie with low expectations and thats what i got.
5


Posted on 07/10/08 by i love dogs Kid contributor, age 14

A very good movie I have to say...

This movie is awesome! I loved it. It had plenty of twists and had positive messages throughout the movie. Hancock was an interesting character who I was nervous about in the beginning and was thinking that this movie was pretty much all about a drunken hobo with super powers flying around nearly killing robbers and such. But then I remembered that this was a Will Smith movie and I waited it out and soon figured out that it was all part of the moral of the movie. It had hilarious comic remarks and had some seens that will be the highlights of you and your friends's conversations for a long time (at least if your my age). Parents be warned: there is plenty of inappropriate stuff. The F-bomb is dropped once and a the word a--hole is used quite a lot. There is two seens that really desturbed me. There are two things in movies I can not bare to see and this movie had both: 1. A child or children being held as hostages; and 2. A woman screeming in pain either physically or psychologically. Although it had some parts that were unnecessary, it was an unbeleavable movie that desurves a five star rating. Recommended for ages: 12+ Hope my review helps you! -i love dogs
See all 24 kids reviews >
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