Movie Reviews: Hancock, Step Brothers
Hancock

The first thirty minutes are fun. We meet Hancock, this anti-hero super hero. He's mean, but not too mean -- Will Smith "mean". An annoying kid prods him, says "Hancock. Bad guys?" pointing to a news report of a crime in progress. Instead of the violence or yelling one might expect from a recently roused alcoholic, he asks the kid if he wants a "cookie", then tells him to "beat it." Do people talk like that in real life?

The first criminals are awesome. Penultimate Hollywood bad guys. No personalities, foreign, and indiscriminately spraying the scenery with machine guns. I thought I was in for a good popcorn flick, but the second and third acts bog down with a slew of hard to swallow clichés and a ham-fisted story.

First, the "big reveal" is alluded to heavily with lingering glances between Hancock and a significant other. In scene after scene, it would happen: a close shot of Will Smith, his eyes flitting to this other person, the other person holding his gaze, a meaningful moment (all the other characters oblivious, of course), then both looking away, as though embarrassed or ashamed. When the reveal finally comes, as unexpected as ambulance blaring a siren, there was an audible groan in the theater.

Second, the news reports. The conveniently-timed television news report, imparting some vital piece of info ("This just in, Hancock is hurt downtown!") are a well-known cliché, to the point of parody (Family Guy: "Next up, our special report on convenient news reports. Watch out for that skateboard, Peter."). If there had been some wink to the audience about it, I would have considered them a joke, but they popped up over and over, earnest, bald-faced exposition in a manner that would have embarrassed a first-year film student. Hancock browses the aisles of a liquor store. A TV behind reports that a dangerous criminal has escaped from prison, and then proceeds to give a detailed summary of the criminal's life: what he went to jail for, his education, his famed ruthlessness. Hancock finally selects a product from the shelf, approaches the register, and the report tapers off. And yes, this is the bad guy he fights at the end of the movie. I wish I was joking.

Supposedly there's a much darker, pre-Will Smith draft of the script out there. I was told it includes a scene where Hancock has sex with a woman, but his climax kills her like a shotgun blast. This is why he is so lonely and bitter. I wonder why that didn't make it into the final version...

I think it will do fine business. The film is well produced. The visual effects are great. If what I described above would not annoy you, then I recommend checking out a matinee.


Step Brothers

Just watched it tonight. I don't want to build it up, but I laughed my ass off about 75% of the time, and was having a fine time the other 25%. I predict "Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer" becomes the next hip slogan. I should start printing the ironic t-shirts now -- God knows I missed the boat with "Milk Was A Bad Choice."

You know the filmmakers had fun making this, and it shows up on screen. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly have natural chemistry. Half the enjoyment for me came from what I was watching, the other half imagining how this would have read on the page, and the inspired lunacy that lead to its creation.

On the other hand, the person I went with thought the entire film was silly, immature, and not funny. I would be in mid-LOL, glance over at her, and she'd be silent, the look on her face that of someone cornered by a talkative drunk at a holiday party.

For fans of the Will Ferrell-Adam McKay-John C. Reilly-Judd Apatow oeuvre, this may be a new high-water mark. I highly recommend it. Also, all the actors do a great job, but Adam Scott is particularly inspired as the douche bag, overachieving younger brother.

Again, I hate building things up, and I feel bad that what I'm about to say may ruin this moment for a few people but, dammit, I need to share: the final scene (post credits) is the funniest thing I have seen in months. Maybe years. I had tears in my eyes. I laughed about it on the ride home, and I'm chuckling as a write about it now. You've been warned.

DISCLOSURE: Prior to Step Brothers, we were given "full access" to the concession stand. Whatever we wanted, all we had to do was ask. And ask we did. Did this dream-come-true sway my opinion of the movie? I don't think so. The combo of white Wild Cherry Slushie, cinnamon pretzel, Reece's Pieces, and Nestle ice cream nuggets turned out to not be as delicious as initially hoped. I bravely muscled through though, somehow.