1. Hancock
Superhero films are now huge business. We live in a day and age where studios are prepared to chuck boatloads of cash at all the superhero canon safe in the knowledge that theyll make a decent return. But there comes a point when a behemoth becomes so big that it attracts satire and re-interpretations. On paper, Hancock looked it could be
the satire/spoof of superheroes, taking the fantastical and giving it real world problems such as alcoholism and the need for a PR consultant. Youve got to admit, its a genius idea. What if there was a superhero who was really just a complete tool nobody needed? Yes, I know its been done in the comic universe, but to create an original hero untied to DCs or Marvels sprawling mythos and turn him into a colossal shambles is an incredible premise. To give Hancock its due, for the first half it seemed to be managing this feat. He annoys the LAPD, racks up millions in public property damage and spends the majority of his time drunk. So far, so good. But then Charlize Theron turns up as superlady and ruins the whole damn thing. I dont care about Hanocks mythos Im watching this film to get away from the grand, sprawling histories of superheroes. What I care about is the nihilistic carnage, seeing a thought experiment writ large. To see it clown around for half a film, then pretend you care about whats happening for the other half was such a jarring change of pace that you couldn't help but feel this was an opportunity missed.