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Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Reviews
Hancock
Comedy or existential drama?
By
BRETT MICHEL
|
July 1, 2008
HANCOCK
" alt="photo of 'HANCOCK'">
1.5
Stars
Peter Berg is suffering from an identity crisis. Is he an actor? (See:
The Kingdom
.) A director? (See: well . . .
The Kingdom
.) Maybe not the best person with whom to entrust a Will Smith blockbuster. Berg’s latest, which suffers from a major identity crisis midway through, could be the biggest test of Smith’s ability to open a summer “tent-pole” picture since 1999’s equally addled
The Wild Wild West
. Is it a comedy? An existential drama? Smith plays John Hancock, superbeing and amnesiac. Known less for the crimes he prevents than for the property damage he causes, this drunken, surly “hero” ignores a warrant for his arrest until he saves the life of a naive publicist (Jason Bateman) who despite the better judgment of his wife (Charlize Theron) takes him on as a reclamation project. Will jail time reshape Hancock’s public image? What will restore Smith’s?
92 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle + Suburbs
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Legend of the last
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A gimmicky tale annoyingly told
The Pursuit of Happyness
A career-capping performance for Smith
The Kingdom
Let the carnage begin!
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ARTICLES BY BRETT MICHEL
REVIEW: DEFIANCE
| January 13, 2009
Perfectly coiffed actors in the unforgiving woodland setting is a poor choice
REVIEW: LAST CHANCE HARVEY
| January 13, 2009
A Lifetime TV movie with better leads
REVIEW: MARLEY & ME
| December 23, 2008
Banal entertainment
REVIEW: THE HUMAN CONDITION
| December 22, 2008
Kobayashi's 10-hour epic
REVIEW: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
| December 17, 2008
We're doomed
See all articles by:
BRETT MICHEL
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