PG-13
ACTION
In an early episode of Friends, the gang learned that Monica's life-of-the-party beau had a drinking problem and persuaded him to get sober, only to find that when his blood alcohol level plummeted, so did his joie de vivre. That's the same problem with Hancock, which starts as a frisky romp about a permanently soused superhero (Smith) and becomes less and less enjoyable as he cleans himself up. Hancock's fellow Los Angelenos have soured on his knack for barely getting the job done, while ringing up $9 million in collateral damage. Enter publicist Ray (Bateman), who helps Hancock rehabilitate his image, even though Ray's own wife (Theron) wants nothing to do with the man.
It's not that Smith (who is clearly having a blast here) loses any charisma during the transition—that guy could play Kim Jong Il and still leave us charmed—but once Hancock is new and improved, the film begins wildly changing course, as if he were still flying under the influence. Hancock begins grappling with his past, but he can't find answers in a Swiss-cheese script (by TV writers Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan) that also forces Theron into wild character shifts from one scene to the next. And when Hancock remembers late in the game that it needs a villain—oops!—it comes up with a truly forgettable baddie. It's almost enough to make a superhero fly off the wagon. If only.
Voices by Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard and Sigourney Weaver | G |
CRITIC'S CHOICE
ANIMATED
After years of churning out lifeless romantic comedies, Hollywood has finally rediscovered the joys of pure, unadulterated love. Which, in Pixar's latest computer-animated tour de force (they're now 7 for 7), just happens to occur between two robots. Wall•E, a trash-compactor doing mop-up duty on Earth after everyone has fled, falls head over rollers for a probe-droid named Eve—following her into space as she is whisked back to her ship. The film features little dialogue but is fluent in the language of love, from Wall•E's awkward initial attempts at affection to the bliss of a first kiss. Bravo.
SNEAK PEEK!
JAMES BOND IS BACK
Picking up where 2006's Casino Royale left off, Quantum of Solace, due out Nov. 7, finds James Bond (Daniel Craig, back for his second go-round) hunting down the secret organization responsible for the death of his girlfriend Vesper Lynd in Casino. And since it wouldn't be a Bond movie without a Bond Girl, he enlists the help of the lively Camille (Olga Kurylenko, chosen from over 300 actresses). Director Marc Forster says that while he was "always on pins and needles" every time he shot an action scene with Craig, "it's fun to be under the gun."
THE WACKNESS In 1994 Manhattan, pot-dealing teen (Josh Peck, appropriately blank) falls for Olivia Thirlby (above). Ben Kingsley amuses as Peck's shrink, but the drama can't sustain its buzz. (R)
WORTH A LOOK
ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD Striking images—particularly of a cathedral-like experience beneath the ice—propel this engaging documentary about researchers in Antarctica. (G)
TELL NO ONE This trim thriller, about a man (Francois Cluzet, above with Kristin Scott Thomas) whose late wife might be alive, is hobbled by a long-winded finale. French with subtitles. (Not rated)
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
