The Biasphere

Going into the movie, I one hundred percent expected a fun, exciting, Will Smith action movie, something like Independence Day or I, Robot. For the first 45 minutes I got just that, which is by no means a bad thing. In fact, it would have been a really good thing, especially after seeing the final 45 minutes of this movie. Who doesn't love a classic Will Smith action movie? The movie starts out like the previews show, following a day in the life of anti-hero Hancock (Will Smith) as he fights crime. He finishes and is greeted not by admiration but exasperation. The populous of Los Angeles are downright tired of Hancock wreaking unneeded havoc to catch a couple of bad guys. Again, this is good; Will Smith is a good actor, and blends comedy with the action to make movies like this enjoyable. Continuing along, on one fateful (in multiple ways, as the faithful moviegoer will soon find out) day, Hancock saves the life of public relations agent Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), who was trapped in a locked car on a train track during rush hour. Ray takes Hancock home, where he meets the Mrs., Mary Embrey (Charlize Theron), and the child, Aaron Embrey (Jae Head). Ray treats Hancock like family, inviting him to dinner, and explaining that he knows how Hancock feels being unloved and unwanted. Upon leaving, Ray slips Hancock his card, and soon, Hancock is back for some improved P.R. This was good; Smith again is a perfect actor for something like this. The opportunity is presented when it is announced that the police is coming after Hancock for destruction of property; Ray persuades him to go to jail, explaining that the people will realize how much they depend on Hancock. The opening jail scene is interesting, and according to some, uncalled for. Ray's bet soon proves right, as crime rates soar with Hancock behind bars. It is here where the movie starts to unravel, or to put it more accurate, wind itself up in a mix of various story lines, none of which evolved enough to be great. Soon out of prison, Hancock's first gig as a traditional superhero goes swell, but I still had a nagging feeling in my mind. Only 45 minutes had passed; what was to happen the rest of the movie? Instead of jarring action and comedy, I got a haphazard attempt at soul-searching and storytelling. All I wanted was a fun summer action film, not one that started that way and tried to make itself deeper.