2 stars**

The real star of this movie is not the superhero as expected, but Charlize Theron. She provides the film’s one real twist and then becomes the obvious star. Her acting ability has never been in question and here she proves, yet again, that she really knows how to perform. She becomes her role as she moves from past life to current life. The twist (and what movie could be without one) was so good I never saw it coming. When you see it (and I won’t spoil it for you here) you’ll know what a surprise it was. She takes us on a roller coaster ride from high emotions to constant fear, from concerned mother and wife to ecstatic world saver.

So what’s it all about? John Hancock (played by Will Smith – slightly better than your recent films, Will) is a miserable, alcoholic superhero who is living in his own sad and lonely world. He has saved numerous lives in LA over the years, but in doing so has caused extensive property damage costing the city millions of dollars. The general public has had enough of Hancock, and wants him to either stop or move to another city.

The effects must get a good mention, but in two entirely different ways. All of the effects are produced magnificently, but some are completely wasted and over too quick before the blink of an eye. Our ex hero throws a whale from a beach, but it hits a sailing ship out at sea. It couldn’t have been on screen for more than a second. If you’re spending that much money, please let us take it in. The same could be said for the train that fell over. Let us see it, please.

The dull parts of the movie are really dull and there appears to be too many of them. They’re like lulls before the storm. Long lulls. You can’t wait for the storm, but the excitement level has fallen too far when they do ultimately arrive.

Also, I wasn’t sure if I was watching a comedy or a tragedy. It flowed from one to the other with no direct route. Perhaps there were too many ideas and the cutting table (yes I know a computer does it these days) trimmed either too far or in the wrong places. Were they trying to fit too much in?

The ending was very cheesy and unnecessary. It was embarrassing.

So why didn’t Charlize Theron get a real show or mention in the trialers? Was she too good or did the filmmakers want to hide her source code?

To go or not to go and see it, that is the question?

I’ve not been a Will Smith fan recently. His last few movies have all been about him as the film’s star and the script/movie doesn’t really matter. I Am Legend was one of the worst movies I’ve seen in recent years with plot holes, poor script and was just plain uninteresting. I couldn’t wait for it to end despite the contrived action that was almost embarrassing. It ticked every box in the Hollywood list of what has to happen in a Hollywood movie, including the very poor ending, obvious to all and his cat. I wondered how this movie ever came to pass, but then the guy is a major star and it appears that even if the movie sucks, people will go and see it for the star. Wild Wild West and Hitch didn’t get there for me, although Men in Black (especially Men In Black 2) always restores my trust when I watch it each year.

I didn’t see The Pursuit of Happyness as the trailer told me that it was so much a star man film again that I missed the opportunity of a lifetime, so I’m told. It didn’t do it for me.

Do I give him a chance to redeem himself? Based upon the trailer it looks like another movie staring him and nothing else matters. That’s rather sad because he was a great actor and has appeared in many good films.

Now here’s the dilemma. Charlize Theron is also staring in the film. She only appears in good quality movies and she often chooses subjects that appear a strange choice before you see the movie and then afterwards you can’t help but think that she always manages to get us all into something a little different, with Monster being the recent stand out, but I enjoyed Aeon Flux and the Italian Job (which could never be quite as good as the original). So the movie must have something going for it.

The on screen effects look good (for big screens, not 5 inch portables) and if there are more of them than Will Smith showing us how great he is then there’s chance I’ll be satisfied. Any movie that incorporates a T.Rex’s 20th Century Boy music groove deserves a chance.