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Hancock

(2008, Rated PG-13, Action/adventure, Starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Has action, heart, but superhero is an alcoholic.

updated 10.02.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Some mixed messages. There are many depictions of criminal behavior, but they're almost always foiled by Hancock and others, so it shows that ultimately crime does not pay.
  • Role models:

    There are both positive and negative role models here. 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.
 

What to watch out for

  • 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).
  • Consumerism:

    Some labels/brands, including Ray-Bans, Dewars, Dodge, and Dunkin Donuts. Ray is a PR executive, and branding is his game.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

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

What Parents Need to Know

About Hancock

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why kids want to see this movie -- is it because of the story, or because of all the hype?
  • 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?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Hancock?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 92 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    watch it good movie 11 and over

    veryyy good movie lots of funny parts and action 11 and over watch it

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Funny action comedy

    The language could have been less lenient on some parts, but overall the story of a superhero trying to get his life back is well deserved.

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    good movie

    only problem is drinking language and bad role models. everyone expects a little violence so thats not an issue unless youre like...5 yrs old.

  4. I rate this title off for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Too gory and violent for preteens

    This movie was super violent and it had a really bloody gory scene at the end. I suppose it had a good message when Hancock tries to turn his life around but that's it.

  5. I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Bad movie with bad role models = Horrible

    Bad and has no point. He is a jerk and a alcoholic. He is one of the worst role models.

  6. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    awesome

    The best! But it can be to realistic for very young kids.

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 1.0

    STUPIDEST MOVIE EVER!

    WORST MOVIE IN THE WORLD! The plot was horrible, the movie was stupid! I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    OK Will Smith action flick, could've been better.

    The movie itself was a bit stupid but i always was a Will SMith fan so that saved it pus the amazing special effect. But this extreme alcoholic swears like a sailor and gives us 1 F bomb.

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great movie for kids 10 and up!!!!

    This movie is amazing! Hancock is a superhero (a rude one) so expect the kind of violence that you see in spider-man, batman, and other superhero movies. Be aware that Hancock is an alchaholic. Just to say, nearly every other sentence in this movie contains a*s or a**hole. This definatley a movie for 10+ mabey even 11+ depending on your family. If you ahve an ten or an eleven year old let them watch it!!!!

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    hancock review

    very good in my opiuon but the end is a little intense for 8 and yonger also there is alot of language including an f word

  13. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Not the best family movie.

    I wouldn't suggest this for anyone under 12.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    It was great!(:

    I think this movie was prolly one of our favorites(: There was some cursing and some alchohol, but it wasn't that bad because, as you watch on it really teaches teens lessons.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    this movie is okay for tweens

    it has a few parts with bad language but it ends fast all together a ok movie

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Great movie, but some iffy parts to it.

    Hancock is a great movie. The biggest concern is swearing which they do a lot of. There is a little bit of violence but, nothing that is horrible.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    LOL

    this movie roooooooooooooooooccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkssssssssssssssssssss

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 4.0

    IT was an okay movie.

    I liked it to a degree. I mean its hard not to like a movie with will smith in it.There is a little twist in the movie which is great and kinda catches you off guard. NO KIDS SHOULD WATCH THIS MOVIE..This is Adult content=D

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