Tools for this page
Print

Hancock

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

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    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 12.01.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    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.
  • 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? 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?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

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

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 85 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Adult 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!!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    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

Find movies reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Up

    Up

    Pixar's stunning 3-D adventure is an upper for everyone.

  • Advice for Parents

    Should "Sexting" Be Illegal?

    Should "Sexting" Be Illegal?

    Parents weigh in

  • Book of the Week

    Wings

    Wings

    Romantic fairy fantasy, milder than Twilight.

  • Pick of the Week

    MTV for Young Teens

    MTV for Young Teens

    Good MTV shows? Yup -- check out our list.

  • Sound Check

    Relapse

    Relapse

    Social value lost in glorification of pills, rape, murder.