That would be me! It’s true, my girlfriend and I went to an advanced screening here in town and were asked to be part of the 20-person focus group at the end of the movie. Everyone in the focus group got to meet Will Smith (and get his autograph)!
Not sure how in depth you want information on this movie, but it is a very atypical superhero movie. Will Smith is fantastic (this is not exactly typical Will Smith here) playing an “anti-hero” with an image problem (Jason Bateman plays a PR consultant, typical Bateman) that the public actually doesn’t like and openly asks to “get-outta-town.” The opening half of the movie is hilarious and interesting. The movie skews young, but if you like humor with a crude hint, you’ll probably enjoy it.
I’ll hide the rest to avoid spoilers, so be careful!
[SPOILER]The ending is indeed pretty terrible. The “main” villain doesn’t show up until about 1/2 way through the movie, and he’s completely inconsequential to the plot. Some I’ve talked to don’t consider him a villain at all, but the story follows him beyond the scope of the heroes, so I think that shows the investment into this character and it’s a complete dud.
There is also a twist 2/3 the way through the movie involving Charlize Theron that falls completely flat.
The story, in a nutshell, is that Will Smith plays an immortal with superpowers, and that he has completely lost his memory beyond the last few decades (can’t remember exactly how long ago he “woke” up). Charlize Theron ends up being his long lost wife, and interrupts Hancock’s advances upon her with some power of her own. So the last 1/3 of the movie is basically a long explanation of their relationship, with a final scene that is rather ludicrous and embarrassing, from a writing standpoint. I’ll save something for you all when you watch it, but the ending will leave you disappointed. Ultimately, this will weigh down the reviews you’ll read.[/SPOILER]
To respond to some comments here: This movie is a lot darker than the superhero genre generally allows (but don’t get this confused with typical “dark” comedy, Hancock has tons of throw-away gags and crude jokes, and it is definitely **not **a drama), and even with some careful editing, I find it hard to believe they could make this movie more “kid friendly.” There is a running gag in the movie referencing cranial-rectal penetration that can’t really be toned down. One lady in the focus group even mentioned how she wouldn’t let her children under 14 see the movie, and several other adults agreed.
To Cervaise: In the cut of the movie we saw, there was no roof busting ejaculation joke, but that is very close to the feel of the movie.
If it’s any indication, the showing here held about 400-500 people, and I overheard one of the marketing people say they only got a handful of negative reviews from the crowd. Of the 20 in the focus group, all but four or five gave the movie a 5 out of 5. I gave it a 4 for the really strong opening and fresh feel of the movie, though someone with less forgiving taste would get no argument from me for a 2 or 3. Meeting Will Smith was only half a point, I swear! 