What if Superman had antisocial tendencies, a homeless man's wardrobe, a certain self-loathing and a weakness for cheap liquor (instead of kryptonite)? He just might be "Hancock."

Will Smith's most recent Independence Day blockbuster, "Hancock," is a confused but unique and entertaining play on the superhero genre.

The always charismatic Smith stars as unpopular superhuman John Hancock. Sure, Hancock can leap tall buildings, stop a bullet, yada yada, but the careless, awkward way he fights crime tends to cause more than enough collateral damage to overshadow his good deeds.

Most of Los Angeles -- the children and average civilians who should cheer him -- would like Hancock to simply go elsewhere "¦ maybe New York.

One day, however, Hancock saves the life of appreciative public-relations specialist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), who, despite the seething disapproval of his sexy wife (Charlize Theron), vows to give the superhero a makeover. You didn't think Smith would play a dark and despised character for a full 90 minutes did you?

Bateman is dryly effective, providing laughs as the earnest and likable straight man. The first half of the film is played mostly for yucks, and it successfully delivers several.

The movie though, takes an extremely unexpected turn at its midway point and goes in another direction, revealing some of Hancock's superhero mythos.

It becomes an odd mix of action, humor and superhero folklore, and it doesn't fit together perfectly -- well, not even close -- but it's still interesting and entertaining.

It would have been nice if Los Angeles could have produced a decent arch-nemesis or any kind of credible foe for Hancock, but the film still has enough going for it. In a summer chock full of big-screen superheroes, Hancock manages to at least hold his own.

For parents with kids, the film's violence isn't worse than any other summer superhero film, but if you're sensitive to profanity, beware -- it comes early and often.

Rental Recommendation: Why not give "Batman Begins" another viewing before the sequel hits the big screen? Grade: A

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