Will Smith

July 7, 2008 | Filed Under Random, Thoughts 

This man is the SOLE reason Hancock is considered a successful film, despite being a terribly unsuccessful and disappointing story. International opening weekend figures–thanks to a Tuesday night opening and a 3-day weekend–are $185 million.

WHAT?

Up there in the highest grossing openings ever. Ridiculous considering that it really was a trashy film that’s really only enjoyed because of its star.

Kudos on the figures, but I do expect better next time. I really do.

Variety’s “Hancock a holiday box office hero” and Variety’s “Hancock exerts its Will overseas”.

UPDATE: July 14, 2008

Upon reading about Hancock at The Think Movement, someone left a pretty insightful analysis of the movie in the comments that I think was generally missed by most.

I for one thought Hancock was an excellent film. Original and unpredictable the movie had me after I fully understood the symbolic eagle throughout the film.

Hancock symbolized America itself in the film, and I’m surprised many have not caught on to it.

The omnipresent eagle, the bum who has superpower and the name itself John Hancock. US is a superpower, the eagle is one of it’s most symbolic figures and John Hancock is known for his confident flamboyant signature that was first to be written on the Declaration of Independence.

So we have Hancock a superpower who feels it is his responsibility, because of his ability, to intervene in times of terror, but is perceived as arrogant, selfish and destructive, with no regard to anyone or anything. Huh….that sounds very familiar to the perception of the world on the U.S. and their foreign affairs.

Now visa versa, Hancock can be looked at as a big brother. Looking out for the lesser privileged and keeping order in LA. If done right, this could be the perception of the U.S. on a global level.

When I view the movie through this lens, I find myself appreciating it more. However, I still think that the execution was weak, especially if Hancock was a metaphor for the US.

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