HANCOCK
RYAN: Hello Mr. King of the Fourth of July Movie – Will Smith – and your blockbuster “Hancock.” How you doin?
CAROLINE: Within the first 15 minutes of this movie, I was reminded why Will Smith is a superstar. He’s just that good at what he does.
RYAN: I’d agree. And he looks good doin’ it. And he serves a big summer movie very well because he pulls off such a great baditude.
CAROLINE: Jason Bateman is fast becoming one of my top five favorites. He is so cute and so funny in everything he does. I’m just so happy about his career renaissance.
RYAN: Courtesy of Arrested Development.
CAROLINE: Clearly.
RYAN: And Oscar winner Charlize Theron is not only predictably gorgeous but fantastic in this role. It’s not what I thought it would be for her in this movie. She trumps Gwynie’s turn in “Iron Man.”
CAROLINE: This whole movie is not what I expected it to be. And the less said the better.
RYAN: Totally – the whole second half of the film is a surprise. So I feel like we can only talk about the first part and then just judge the whole film on its merits.
CAROLINE: While it is a superhero movie, it’s not grand on the scale of a DC or Marvel superhero film.
RYAN: Right. It’s a really great set up for a new kind of hero-in-town that looks like we could have a New York based sequel if this one does well at the box office.
CAROLINE: I feel the need to reiterate how spectacularly beautiful Charlize is. She looks so good in this movie that it almost took my breath away scene after scene.
RYAN: I know. I’d love to throw our lesbian sisters a bone and cast a movie where Charlize and Angelina lock lips, right?
CAROLINE: I think everyone’s heads might explode… mine own included.
RYAN: Oh mine own as well. She is a looker. Back to the movie – I loved the cool shots and creative flying scenes and all the effects were fabulous.
CAROLINE: I also really liked Peter Berg’s direction. He shook things up between handheld and really choreographed camera work. Bottom line?
RYAN: I really dug this movie. It’s short and sweet and exciting and it keeps you on your toes. Plus there’s sort of an epic love story feel to it, in a way. I’ll take it as this year’s big Fourth of July film. It has suited its ’08 purpose.
CAROLINE: I really enjoyed it too, though I thought it was good, not great. If you’re expecting a true superhero movie, you might be disappointed; but it truly delivers on another level.