The past decade has seen the cinematic landscape littered with superhero films. Among those many films have been classics and the requisite bad ones. However, what we do not get all that often are superhero films that have not been sourced from comic books. Off the top of my head, the only ones I can recall are My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Unbreakable, and The Incredibles. There may be others, but I cannot recall them. Now I can add another title to that list — Hancock.

As the release approached and reviews began to trickle out, the consensus did not appear to be all that good. Of course, I did not read any of the reviews (didn't want to be spoiled). So, off I went, hoping for the best, but honestly not expecting too much. What did I see? A movie that was ultimately entertaining and worth checking out, but one which also felt overly edited and almost like two movies smashed into one. It is like they had two films' worth of material but only one film in which to use it.

As the film opens, we are introduced to Hancock the same way we were introduced in the trailer — a sleeping, drunken Will Smith on a street bench. This is not the same Smith we saw this past December in I Am Legend, this is not a scientist searching desperately for a cure to save humanity while battling to survive. Oh no, this Will Smith is a drunken "superhero" who staggers into action with little regard for public safety, causes more damage than the bad guys, and hangs around afterward to listen to the jeers from witnesses. In other words, he is an @$$hole.

Enter Ray (Jason Bateman). Ray is in public relations and his desire to make a change in the world doesn't go over well with potential clients when they hear that they would need to give product away for free. While a deflated Ray heads home to have dinner with his wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), and son, Aaron (Jae Head), he is "rescued" by Hancock. This meeting would prove to be a life-changing one for the two of them. Ray sees something in Hancock, a sadness, a desire to be accepted, plus a way that he can help his own career. Do you see where this is going?

Ahh, I see that you do. Ray takes on the role of changing peoples' perception of Hancock — things like being respectful to others' property, being a little smarter in the approach to saving lives, and telling police and others they are doing a good job. This is a task that Ray loves and Hancock is a little more leery of.