 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hancock
- Review Date: November 23, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Has action, heart, but superhero is an alcoholic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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.
What's the story?
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?
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.
What 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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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
March 19, 2010
AGE
Should be drama
Tons of violence. Most of it isn't bloody but it is action packed.Two kisses. Very strong language. Like about three uses of F**k. And ***hole a few times.
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AGE
Hancock
Will Smith is a very funny character. This movie was pumped full of action and humor, along with a great storyline.
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AGE
A message about respect is drowned out by language, excessive drinking
Despite popular belief, superhero movies can indeed be funny, and the hit 2008 action-comedy Hancock proves it without a doubt. Hancock is a quirky blend of action, comedy, romance, a dash of drama and a pinch of sci-fi. Basically, it has enough variety to appease fans of many genres. You want to laugh? It's here. You want to cry? You probably will. You want to jump out of your seat? You just might. While there is plenty to like, Hancock is not a superhero movie for the young kids, and the PG-13 is spot-on, due to alcohol abuse and lots of language. Best reserved for teens or mature preteens. Other than that mentioned, Hancock also has quite a bit a violence and blood, some sexual tension, and excessive consumerism. I gave it three stars, but it almost teeters down to two. Only watch it with an open mind, and expect disappointment.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 14, 2010
AGE
Very violent gross but cool.
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AGE
Pretty funny, but mostly in offensive ways.
All to be concerned over is the language:
A little boy calls Hancock an "a--hole" near the beginning of the film when he says he won't save anyone.
Hancock tells everybody that they're "all f--ked up" after he saves a man from a train crash.
Hancock yells at a few people in the neighborhood and calls them "pr--ks".
The words "a-s", "a--hole", "j--ka-s", and anything else including the word "a-s" are used throughout the entire film, with other words like "s--t", "f--k", "b--ch", and "sl--".
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Kid, 12 years old
April 12, 2010
AGE
Don't get the unrated version.
In the unrated version, there is one scene where Hancock and some random woman are having sex in a trailer. You don't see anything but you hear it all, with some explicit sexual language. Other than that, it's fine. 10+ for rated version, 13+ for unrated
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AGE
This was a pretty good movie. It had some drinking (all involves hancock), language and one bad scene were hancock shove a guy's head up another guy's behind
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AGE
Subversive superhero film; not for the little ones.
Violence- 7/10
Sexual Content- 2/10
Language- 8/10
Drinking, drugs, smoking- 7/10
Overall Quality- 6.5/10
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AGE
Suggested MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence, language, sexuality, and alcohol use.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Peter Berg |
| Cast: | Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Will Smith |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 2, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | November 24, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language. |
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