"Seven Pounds" -- Movie Review

Jeremiah:
“Seven Pounds” is designed to make you cry and, depending on who you are, it probably succeeds. It's a little hard to review a movie like “Seven Pounds,” where so much of the purpose of the movie is trying to solve the puzzle that it lays out. To be armed with too much knowledge, in this case, will do you more harm than good.

Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an I.R.S. Agent. Ezra (Woody Harrelson)is a blind telemarketer. Emily (Rosario Dawson) is a woman with severe heart problems. Dan (Barry Peppers), a friend of Ben's seems, emotionally distraught over a deal he made with Ben. There's a social worker Holly, (Judyann Elder), who's happy to see Ben. Connie Tepos (Elpidia Carrillo), a mother trapped in an abusive relationship, wishes only to escape with her children to a new life.

Discovering who these people are and how they are connected is the joy of “Seven Pounds.” It is so integral, in fact, that I'm not sure how enjoyable the movie would be on repeat viewings. Suffice to say, if you were to ask me what the movie was about, I'd say it was about sacrifice... and jellyfish.

The movie has been charged with being manipulative, and it is unquestionably guilty. Yet, when it's done well, I have absolutely no problem with being manipulated. I don't think you will either.

/ 5



Thaddeus:
There are many movies where the overall quality is so grand and appealing that even when all the great twists have been revealed, you'd still be full-willing to watch it all over again. I had the endings of "Fight Club," "The Sixth Sense," and "The Matrix" spoiled for me before I ever saw them, but that didn't keep me from enjoying them the first time or any of the enumerable, subsequent times.

"Seven Pounds" is not any of those movies.

Not to say it's bad, but I heartily agree with Jeremiah on the point of... well, most of the things he said, to be honest. It manipulates you -- but in a charming way, as opposed to a psychotic ex-significant other sort of way. A solid story, with some top-notch talent, but it just doesn't have the clout to make it any kind of enduring classic.

"Seven Pounds" is a movie for people who enjoy feeling ways about stuff. If you tend to shun emotions, because they are for sissies and meatbags, you would likely be happier trading your money for a ticket to a different movie. If, however, you enjoy smiling and crying; stories of a more limited, human scope; and watching as pieces fit together into a full picture, this is probably just the ticket for you.

In a season of Must-See Movies, "Seven Pounds" just doesn't quite measure up. But if you've already seen the heavy-hitters, or you just want a good cry or something, you could do a lot worse.

3.5 / 5

-Thad out.

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"Hancock"

There's something in the construction of the universe that, when the invisible waves of cosmic energy strike the earth with just the right angle and force, you're able to see a movie way before everyone else. I'd go more into detail, but I haven't taken a physics class since high school.

"Hancock" opens on July 2, but I'll tell you right now that it's worth seeing. Isn't knowing in advance a wonderful thing? That's the sweet flavor of professionalism, baby. And ain't it grand...

If you've missed the TV ads, "Hancock" is the story of an alcoholic bastard of a superhero named John Hancock. It stands as an answer to many a question regarding what would happen if Superman wasn't so damn nice all the time.

Along for the ride is Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a PR agent and all-around nice guy who, after being saved by Hancock, decides to reinvent the hero for the better. His wife (Charlize Theron) and son (Jae Head) have opposing views of this, the son's being "Awesome!" and the wife's being the extreme opposite of that.

Have you even noticed that Will Smith is one of those actors who makes his roles seem like they were written just for him? Well, that happens here. When we first meet Hancock, all we see is drunk and angry, but as the story progresses we see more of the closed-off lonesomeness behind it all.

If you don't know this already, and even if you do, Jason Bateman is a comedic mastermind. I first got to know him on "Arrested Development," which is absolutely the funniest show I never saw until after it was canceled. Having him stealing scenes from Will Smith in a summer blockbuster makes me quite happy. Though I suppose stealing is the wrong word, because the cast works great together. Good ensemble, y'know?

Charlize Theron is pretty severe... but in a good way. I don't know that I've seen her in much before this, though she did guest star in a run of "Arrested Development" and yes this is my none-too-subtle way of hocking the show at you all. It's good.

The effects in "Hancock" are pretty spectacular, as well. They give a lot of focus to flight and I'm fine with that. Show me a person who has never wished they could fly and I'll show you a either liar or a soulless automaton from an apocalyptic future. But things get broken left and right in supercool ways too, and I think everyone can get behind that.

The only fault I found, and this is just me picking nits, was that there was shit that went down that was never really explained... but that didn't come up in my head until after the movie. It was too totally sweet at the time to appropriately question. But then again, one of the writers used to work on "The X-Files," so I guess weirdness just ought to be expected.

So, chalk "Hancock" up as another victory in this great summer of movies. Catch it next week, y'know... when it opens.

...

Even though I've seen it already.

4.5 out of 5

-Thad out



P.S. - If you want to check out my other review of "Hancock" for some weird reason, check out my, er... 'blog' (I hate that word) at inkkc.com. That's right: it was so cool I wrote it up twice.

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