HANCOCK - Is Will Smith no longer FRESH?

CheezeFlixz · June 30, 2008, 09:15:56 AM

Will Smith's $150 Million Disaster

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,372561,00.html

I was sort of looking forward to seeing this film, but I've heard nothing but bad things about it. I don't recall reading a single early review that liked it of those that got to screen it. It looked like it had a interesting story line of a down and out anti social Super Hero.

So has Will Smith lost his freshness? I think so, he tends to play the same guy in every movie regardless of story. (With the exception of "The Pursuit of Happiness" were he actually had to act.) And frankly it gets old seeing the same character over and over in completely different movies, because he's not playing a character he's just playing himself.

Looks like Hollywood spent a $150 million on a flop ... but I'll reserve final judgment until I see it myself. The critic have been wrong before. But from the few sneak peaks and previews I've seen thus far, they might be in the mark.

AnubisVonMojo · June 30, 2008, 09:36:01 AM

Whether it's a critical success or not, I guarantee that Hancock makes back more than it's $150 million budget within the first month of its release, maybe even the first few weeks. As much as I'm not a fan, Will Smith has an established fan base that will still gladly pay $10 a piece to see his big summer blockbusters in a theater. Even if I Am Legend hadn't had good reviews to support it (I still think it was a waste of time...) it still would have made about as much money as it did. One day Smith may have his Waterworld and find himself sitting in a career pit alongside Eddie Murphy talking about the good old days, but I don't see Hancock being the movie that does it... though it could be the start of his tumble if it's really as bad as we've heard.

Trevor · June 30, 2008, 09:38:23 AM

I don't know about the film, Cheeze as it hasn't been released here yet but that ugly-ass poster nearly caused me to walk into a wall when I saw it. Those lips......

I can but hold out some hope: Charlize Tuhron (as she's known here) or Theerin (as she's known elsewhere) is in it, so maybe, WS might still be fresh.

AndyC · June 30, 2008, 02:49:18 PM

Been curious about this, but have only just read the plot summary. Drunk, obnoxious superhero being rehabilitated by an idealistic PR guy sounds great. The special effects and dark tone of the previews look great. Then they had to throw in a love triangle. That has me worried.

I do like Trevor's suggestion that acting next to Charlize Theron will make Will fresh. I imagine the same could be said for any movie star. I'd enjoy watching Steven Seagal if he stood next to her for an hour and a half.

Doc Daneeka · June 30, 2008, 05:14:53 PM

Quote from: AndyC on June 30, 2008, 02:49:18 PM
I do like Trevor's suggestion that acting next to Charlize Theron will make Will fresh. I imagine the same could be said for any movie star. I'd enjoy watching Steven Seagal if he stood next to her for an hour and a half.

I'd enjoy Steven Seagal standing next to anyone for an hour and a half

*Runs screaming out of the topic* WHAT??! WHAAAAAT?!?!!

HappyGilmore · June 30, 2008, 08:37:58 PM

Weren't Wild Wild West and Men in Black 2 considered 'flops' or underperforming for him?

I'm one of the people around here to like Will Smith, apparently. I think the movie looks decent enough. Even if it underperforms, he seems to have a big enough fan base that I doubt he'll be in the "where are they now?" files.

Torgo · June 30, 2008, 08:51:55 PM

Quote from: Mr. Briggs Inc. on June 30, 2008, 05:14:53 PM
I'd enjoy Steven Seagal standing next to anyone for an hour and a half

SynapticBoomstick · July 01, 2008, 02:00:43 AM

I accept it as a rule that "professional critics", Fox and Entertainment Weekly have no idea what they're talking about and are always wrong. This has guided me to some very entertaining movies that, of course, don't measure up to popular ideals because they aren't perfect, don't have pretty casts or are *gasp* not linked to "important" people.

Trevor · July 01, 2008, 02:41:34 AM

Quote from: AndyC on June 30, 2008, 02:49:18 PM
I do like Trevor's suggestion that acting next to Charlize Theron will make Will fresh. I imagine the same could be said for any movie star. I'd enjoy watching Steven Seagal if he stood next to her for an hour and a half.

LMAO for that one, AndyC.

Trevor · July 01, 2008, 02:45:40 AM

Quote from: Torgo on June 30, 2008, 08:51:55 PM
Quote from: Mr. Briggs Inc. on June 30, 2008, 05:14:53 PM
I'd enjoy Steven Seagal standing next to anyone for an hour and a half

That was more or less Mr Seagal's expression when he arrived at the Cape Town airport in 2005 to make Mercenary For Justice.

Derf · July 01, 2008, 08:30:58 AM

Quote from: Trevor on July 01, 2008, 02:45:40 AM
Quote from: Torgo on June 30, 2008, 08:51:55 PM
Quote from: Mr. Briggs Inc. on June 30, 2008, 05:14:53 PM
I'd enjoy Steven Seagal standing next to anyone for an hour and a half

That was more or less Mr Seagal's expression when he arrived at the Cape Town airport in 2005 to make Mercenary For Justice.

But after eating a few prunes, he felt better.

I haven't seen Hancock and probably won't while it's in the theater. It looks mildly interesting, and I have like Smith's movies in the past. Yes, he plays the same character in all his movies, but so do most "action" stars. How many really different characters did Ah-nold play? Not many. Bruce Willis? Not many. Stallone? A couple. It's not necessarily a bad thing; it just depends on whether you like the character a star plays.

CheezeFlixz · July 01, 2008, 08:51:20 AM

Quote from: DerfHow many really different characters did Ah-nold play? Not many. Bruce Willis? Not many. Stallone? A couple. It's not necessarily a bad thing; it just depends on whether you like the character a star plays.

True, however Willis has played a few more roles than his 'yippy-ki-yeah' style one, not many but a few and he got to do the nasty with Demi Moore so he's got that going for him.

Ah-nold well he's not capable of anything beyond "I'll be back" if it wasn't for his muscled up looks he would have never been an actor ... well actually he's not an actor, he's just starring in movies. He would have never made it out of Austria if he hadn't "Pumped Up"

Smith is ok, I just get a little tired of him playing the same "I gotta get me one of these." or "Aw, hell no!" roles. As far as Hollyweird goes he seems like one of the few well grounded, decent guys out there. He actually comes off as a good family man, and I don't think that's an act.
As I said he proved he can play different roles with the "Pursuit of Happiness" he really need to do that more as he's getting a bit old to play the 20 something hip guy. However, it might be to late for him to break the cycle.

zombie no.one · July 01, 2008, 08:54:20 AM

I can't stand anything about Will Smith, everything about him from his annoying hyperactive personality to his horrible feel-good blockbuster films to his so called 'rap' albums, I even hated Fresh Prince Of Belle Air. he must be rich enough to retire, why doesn't he do that, and spend the rest of his days playing golf with Alice Cooper and doing motivational speeches at universities, not subjecting us to his stream of meaningless drivel that passes for a career...[/rant]

frank · July 01, 2008, 09:40:45 AM

Aw, what the heck:

I like him.

peter johnson · July 01, 2008, 10:15:50 AM

I think he's pleasant enough, and I have enjoyed things I've seen him in in the past -- I will probably see it because of the story & Charlize Theron, who is a very good actress and "easy on the eye" as older men might say.
I never met Will Smith, but I did work on a stage production with James Avery (His adoptive uncle on Fresh Prince) in Burbank in '87. Six degrees & all that . . .
peter johnson/denny crane