Hancock

everything may be predestined, but you still have to choose

Hancock starts showing today... and quite happily I was also able to watch it today with a college friend.

I've been wondering if I should splurge all the details of this interesting movie, or if I should just divulge general information so as to spare everyone the frustrations of a spoiler. I decided therefore to write a review that is somewhere in between the two.

Hancock (Will Smith) is a modern day super-hero, very much like Superman; he exhibits Herculean strength, aerial abilities (flying and maneuvering through the skies) and utter impenetrability. At the same time, he is also a man trapped in his own loneliness and lack of purpose in life. Such loss of direction has caused him a great deal of misery, and despite his exceptional potentials, he was treated as an infamous rebel that has caused damage to others and their properties despite his "well-meaning" intentions. As the story unfolds, a question surfaces and the void in his life over the past 80 years begins to heal, but very much to his disadvantage as a crime fighter. Hancock, by the middle of the story, begins to unravel and find that his purposeless existence was an intentional act of self-sacrifice to save more lives. An angel, a god, a caricature of a mythological deity, Hancock's immortality and unfathomable abilities is carefully balanced with that of a pair, a soulmate. And it is imperative to choose one's destiny - to stay with that soul mate, or to live your own life and create your own map to fulfilling your fate.

This movie is the story of a man's discovery of his own purpose, of dictating his destiny. It is also a story on love and humanity. Honestly, this story to me reflects the attitudes of the modern society - their world views on marriage and love. A lot of questions were raised in my head as the revelations began to sink in. Then again, the whole sense of the story points to just one thing - there will always be a decision to be made, a choice to be accountable for. I believe the reason Hancock is closely associated with the eagle, is simply because this powerful bird is a symbol of strength, but more importantly of independence and freedom. Quite a strong theme, especially with the upcoming Independence Day in the United States.

We, as individuals, have a power to do great things. We can stick to convention, to the game plan, and we can always try to find a better alternative. It may not always be the easiest, but you'll eventually get by. Hancock is not just about directing one's own course in life, it's also propagating one's social responsibility. With our power of choice, there is always a way we can change the world.