comment #1

Balthazar says ...

Wow. That's really interesting. Has Smith truly had a bomb?

Will this be a bomb if it pulls in $50 million its first weekend and still makes it easily to $120M?

comment #2

Mgmax says ...

A summer blockbuster that comes in at 80 minutes left a LOT of footage on the cutting room floor, don't you think? I mean, 80 is the number you dare not go below...

You know, as soon as I saw the trailer, my first thought was, why is Will Smith playing the Damon Wayans role in Meteor Man?

comment #3

Balthazar says ...

The more I think about it, I think the trailer to this one reflects a very different film than what's up on the screen. ... Bait and switch, baby. ... Of course, that trailer might be the only thing to save the opening.

comment #4

nemo says ...

Good god, Peter Berg is responsible for that thing? And I was beginning to have some hopes for the man after Friday Night Lights.

Even the trailer for Hancock put me off. But what do I know, seeing Will Smith in any trailer is enough to put me off.

comment #5

JckNapier2 says ...

Um, how about we review the movie and not whether it is appropriate for children. A) it's PG-13, the same rating as Smith's decidedly not for kids I Am Legend. B) July 4th is not necessarily a family film weekend by law. In 1991, Terminator 2 broke records ($55 million in five-days) on this weekend. In 1992, Eddie Murphy opned the R-rated Boomerang. In 1993, the big smash that weekend was The Firm, an R-rated 2.5 hour legal thriller. Blown Away, Judge Dredd, The Patriot, Scary Movie 2, Terminator 3, War Of The Worlds (PG-13 but certainly not for kids either)... The list goes on and on. Most of Freidman's rant is over the fact that it is a film that is inappropriate for young children and that Smith dares to star in an unlikable role. I knew that from the trailer, to say nothing of the media reports detailing the film's struggle to avoid an R. This is not a critique, but rather a judgment based on a false premise (that July 4th is for family movies and thus Hancock should be a family movie).

comment #6

Arran says ...

I think you mean Robert Townsend, Mgmax. You may be confusing it with Blankman.

It's kind of sad I know this.

Anyway, I've seen some positive and semi-positive views elsewhere. I hardly think Friedman's word is the kiss of death.

comment #7

nemo says ...

I don't have any kids, but I'd sooner take my nieces and nephews for a pummeling at Wanted than to anything with Will Smith.

Not that I'd do either one. We'll probably go to Wall*E and Hellboy 2.

comment #8

Arran says ...

And you're right, Scott. Friedman's whole blast seems to be based on the fact that it was "supposed" to be a family film. Nothing I've seen about the movie has suggested that. Slamming it for not being family-friendly is like slamming Pride and Prejudice for not having enough hardcore sex.

comment #9

Mgmax says ...

Yeah, I have to say it was more respectable screwing up Blankman and Meteor Man than knowing that I screwed them up.

comment #10

Balthazar says ...

Scott,

Are you referring to the Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Nicole Eggert "Blown Away"?!?!!?!

comment #11

JckNapier2 says ...

Blown Away, with Tommy Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges, opened over July 4th weekend in 1994. It concerned a former IRA soldier turned Boston bomb squad cop who is targeted by a former partner in the IRA who has gone bonkers.

comment #12

Mgmax says ...

Well, Scott, to be fair, there was a time when it was assumed that any movie about a superhero was aimed squarely at the kids.

comment #13

Balthazar says ...

I figured that's what you meant, Scott.

But I couldn't miss a chance to make a reference to The Corey's action/porno extravaganza.

comment #14

JckNapier2 says ...

Yeah, but that time ended a long time ago. If not in 1989, with Batman, then definitely in 1992 with Batman Returns. Nowadays, no one cares if Iron Man or X-Men or Batman Begins is appropriate for super young kids. The Dark Knight runs a risk because it may not even be appropriate for the 9-12 set, but we'll see.

comment #15

YND says ...

Ah, the other BLOWN AWAY! Nicole Eggert was SO naked in that!

comment #16

Balthazar says ...

Honestly, the original Superman in 1977 isn't even for kids -- the ice planet armageddon is too intense, some gory deaths (cop in the subway), way-too-bosomy Valerie Perrine and, worst of all, the intensity of emotion at Superman's reaction to the death of Lois Lane is really mostly adult stuff.

comment #17

btwnproductions says ...

HANCOCK is to Will Smith what LEONARD PART 6 is to Bill Cosby. But it will pull in the Fourth of July gawkers.

comment #18

nemo says ...

"HANCOCK is to Will Smith what LEONARD PART 6 is to Bill Cosby."

You mean it will launch Will Smith into a trajectory leading to retirement? Good! From your keyboard to God's Inbox. I can hardly wait for Will Smith's Ghost Dad.

By the way, Cosby had a supporting role in Meteor Man a few years after Leonard Part 6 and Ghost Dad. Meteor Man and Coppola's Jack were the final nails in the coffin of Cosby's movie career. We can only hope and pray for the same for Will Smith.

comment #19

EDouglas says ...

Friedman is on crackity-crack-crack... Hancock is a decent flick and maybe if he went out and watched it with an audience, he'd hear how they were REALLY into the movie, laughing and clapping... reaction was about as good as for the Wanted screening and there's nothing Friedman can say or do to bury this one because few of Will Smith's fans will give a fuck what Fox News thinks.

comment #20

D.Z. says ...

Mgmax: It could be worse. You could have knowingly mixed them up with Steel.

nemo: "Good god, Peter Berg is responsible for that thing? And I was beginning to have some hopes for the man after Friday Night Lights."

I imagine he just took the money and ran. I would, too, if I were in his position. He's a decent director, but he doesn't know the right people like Mark Steven Johnson or Stephen Sommers; so that might be as good as it gets for him.

Scott: I don't think the issue is whether or not it's for families, but whether or not it's something families can enjoy, in spite of itself. Of course, most families "enjoyed" Meet the Fockers, so what the hell do they know?

Balthazar: You mean '78.

comment #21

Josh Massey says ...

If you don't have any other reason to trust Friedman - and the guy has given you legion over the years - focus on this sentence: "I guess this is because of "Independence Day," one of my favorite movies, and "Men in Black," also quite good,..."

comment #22

thatmovieguy says ...

I saw HANCOCK at a screening last week with an audience. Fairly robust laughter in the first half-hour, less of the same in the next half-hour and puzzled silence during the last two reels when the plot changes gears. No applause at the end whatsoever. In fact, the guys in front of me threw out the old "well, at least it was free" comment. Overall reaction was mild at best. I'm guessing one big opening weekend and then straight down the box office shame spiral, a la WILD WILD WEST.

comment #23

/3rtfu11 says ...

I hope in some way this movie stops Berg's Dune remake.

comment #24

deadre says ...

DUNE was repulsive. I think Peter Berg is definitely up to the task on that one, ever see the episode of Medical Center that he wrote and directed. A family went into the hospital and literally all died, even those just visiting other family members I hated DUNE.

I think Will Smith is bomb proof but damn, I'm sick of his smirk

comment #25

quitstaringatme says ...

Christ, nemo, did Will Smith run over your cat or something? Regardless of the quality of his movies, he's a fine and very likable actor and, from what I understand, a pretty good person, as well.

It's not like we're talking about Rob Schneider or something here.

comment #26

nemo says ...

In the words of the comment just before yours:

"I think Will Smith is bomb proof but damn, I'm sick of his smirk"

comment #27

/3rtfu11 says ...

deadre said
DUNE was repulsive. I hated DUNE.
Obviously you're spit sensitive!

comment #28

BurmaShave says ...

nemo I'm not going to ascribe any reasons for your irrationally intense hatred of Will Smith, but I'm just going to guess you weren't an Obama voter.