Hancock ***
Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan
Director: Peter Berg
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG-13

John Hancock (Smith) is a superhero that just does not care about anything. He is a drunk bum. Sure, he saves the day sometimes, but at a staggering cost to the city. The D.A. wants him in prison, but no prison will hold him. He is the focus of lawsuits, but he doesn’t have the money to pay for any damages. One day, he saves Ray Embrey (Bateman) from getting hit by a train. Ray, who is in the public relations business, decides to help Hancock improve his image. His plan involves some time in prison, rehab, and a superhero costume. Hancock is reluctant at first, but soon gives in. Hancock is on the way to turning his life around, when he is blindsided by a revelation that will cause him to question his abilities and the kind of person he really is.

“Hancock” is an interesting idea for a superhero movie. After seeing all those heroes that are saviors of the world, Hancock is one that just doesn’t give a damn. Will Smith has the charisma to be that superhero, and make the jerk actually likeable. This is another movie that is saved by Smith’s charm. Without him, this movie would probably not work. The story itself is really two stories sandwiched together. Director Peter Berg would have been better off focusing more on the first half of the film and doing away with the second half which explores Hancock’s origins. The second half has been completely ignored in all advertisements for the film, and at least provided a bit of a surprise. The surprise would have been greater without all the pointed looks in the first half between Hancock and another character, but you take what you can get here. “Hancock” is an entertaining film for the most part that could have been more. Still it is worth seeing.

I Am Legend ***
Cast: Will Smith
Director: Francis Lawrence
Running Length: 1:45
MPAA Classification: PG-13

The year is 2012, and Dr. Robert Neville (Smith) may be the last man on Earth. He is partially responsible for a cancer cure that mutated and turned humans into beings that cannot stand sunlight and crave blood. Neville is lonely, and only has his dog Sam for a friend. During the day, he searches for food and supplies, and works on trying to cure this awful disease. At night, he locks himself away in his house and hides from the horrors that wander the streets. One day, he gets sloppy, and his world becomes worse.

Will Smith carries this movie full on his back. Acting alone or with only a dog, he is the reason to see this movie. Like Tom Hanks in “Castaway” or John Cusack in “1408”, he gives a solid performance all on his own. Visually, “I Am Legend” is mostly excellent. A desolate New York City is well rendered and eerie. The monsters, on the other hand, mostly look like the work of CGI. That’s a shame because CGI wasn’t really needed for them. The story does differ from the classic novel by Richard Matheson, and while the ending isn’t a total cop-out, it is a bit disappointing. On its own merits, “I Am Legend” works pretty well and is worth checking out.