Hancock

Hancock
PG-13
Running time: 92 minutes
USA

Ok...before you start wondering...I really DON'T have any physical attraction to Will Smith. Yes, I mentioned I have a man crush on him and this is the second WS movie that I've seen in the past week or two...it's nothing serious. Let's just leave it at imaginary friends and call it good. Deal? Ok. Moving on...(awkward)

A few people in the office and I went to see this movie at lunch today because it was one of their birthdays. It was a matinée, I was semi-interested in seeing it (thanks to Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman) and it got me out of work. Why not, right? I read the reviews this morning (it's getting panned almost universally), leaving me with extremely low expectations. Plus, it is a WS movie that's coming out on the 4th of July weekend which usually means huge explosions, little plot and some cheesy one-liners. However, I was pretty surprised at not only how entertained I was throughout the majority of the movie but at how well done it was. The story line concerns one John Hancock, a mysterious superhero that does inordinate amounts of damage to the city every time he helps someone. He's also an alcoholic which leads to several raucously funny scenes at the first of the film. After saving the life of a PR man (Bateman), Hancock decides to allow him a chance at reviving his image of the superhero that everyone thinks he should be...thus allowing the plot to unfold.

I'm keeping this post short for a few reasons: first, it's not anything masterful. It was never intended to be. Therefore, very little "insight" needs providing, in my opinion. Second, it's a summer blockbuster that needs little selling. If you're into this type of movie, you'll enjoy it thoroughly. Third, my fingers hurt (and now my back's gonna hurt 'cause I just pulled landscaping duty...anyone?). This movie was a pleasant surprise for me. WS, Theron and Bateman (I'm seriously SO excited for the Arrested Development movie...I can't even begin to tell you) make it what it is. They are very good mixes of comedic and dramatic actors...able to switch gears quickly and seamlessly. The explosions and CGI seemed a little hokey in places but for the most part I enjoyed them. All in all, go check it out...and see it in the theater during a matinée. It's meant to be seen on the big screen.

I Am Legend

I Am Legend
PG-13
Running time: 101 minutes
USA

Sometimes I baffle myself...especially when I get the urge to watch a movie that I know will only disappoint me in the end. Also, I am bewildered by my man crush on Will Smith because he really hasn't done many films that I have cared for. However, there's just something about him that I can't put my finger on that makes me love that guy! Anyway...I digress. I added this to my queue a while back just for fun and then totally forgot about it. Lo and behold, it showed up at my door yesterday so I figured I'd give it a quick viewing.

I'll keep the synopsis and commentary brief because I figure most of the world has already seen it. Smith's character is the only apparent survivor from a cancer cure gone awry. Most of the visually stunning scenes are of him and his dog driving through the barren streets of New York, hunting or trying to capture the "creatures" that survive in the darkness.

I was pretty entertained for the first half of the movie. Francis Lawrence uses dreams/flashbacks to give enough back story to make you care about Smith's character. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, the backdrops of a post-apocalyptic NYC are beautiful. My brain started to shut down entirely, however, when the infected humans started to play a bigger role. Apparently they either hired completely different companies to do the cityscapes and the zombie-types or they just got lazy. The CGI goes from believable to comical in a span of about 30 seconds right around the half way point of the film. I started wondering if I was watching two different movies...the latter of which was getting under my skin. The worst part being the lack of credibility destroyed any tension that had been built up to that point...which was a shame 'cause the first half had me curious. Oh well...I guess I had little to no hope that the movie was going to be good so I wasn't all the disappointed...just a little irked? Miffed, maybe? Kerfuffled? Nope...irked it is.

It's a popcorn eater...if you're gonna see it just sip a horse tranquilizer or something equivalent and let your mind fall asleep for a while. You'll enjoy it just fine.