In the extract from Hancock, the narrative is full of
characters and events that can be considered stereotypes and counter-stereotypes.
The main protagonist, Hancock is a black male, who possesses
superpowers and uses them (with advice from his friend) for just and good
purposes. His portrayal as a black male can be considered a counter stereotype.
This is because in the film industry, the average protagonist is a young, Caucasian
‘hero’, which is very stereotypical in itself. This counter stereotype gives
off the message that ethnic backgrounds and past actions do not matter in being
a protagonist; it is the character that matters.
In the prison rehabilitation scene, the prisoners surrounding
the main protagonist all appear as stereotypical prisoners due to their large
stature, tattoos on their arms, shaved heads and beanies and the most obvious
of the group, prison uniforms. However,
when the scene cuts to them speaking to the main protagonist, they offer supportive
advice, saying to let his feelings out, and when he eventually does, they
applaud and congratulate him. Due to this, these prisoners are presented as
counter stereotypes. This is because although they are in prison for committing
crimes and look extremely menacing, they are relatively kind, open, and offer
supportive advice to the main protagonist.
In the next scene, Hancock (the protagonist) comes across as
a very stereotypical hero. He flies into the danger zone calmly, and reluctantly
tells the surrounding officers that they have gone a good job, which represents
his abilities as a strong leader. The police force themselves are a counter
stereotype, because they are consisted of men and women from all walks of life
and ethnic backgrounds. While the gunfight
between the police and criminals in occurring, Hancock confidently walks
through the carnage, taking big long strides and relaxing his shoulders. This
suggests that he is strong, determined and extremely courageous (all heroic
qualities) while other police officers are run and duck for cover. As he is striding through the battlefield, he
does not shiver, he does not gasp. He just strides through with the same relaxed
expression.
After a cut to where the criminals are with the hostages,
the criminals are represented as extremely stereotypical antagonists and
robbers. They all wield heavy artillery guns, and wear black masks to conceal
all of their face save their eyes and mouth, which represents them as extremely
sinister and fearful, all qualities of a typical antagonist.
During the battle between the police and the criminals, one
of the female police officers is wounded via a bullet to the thigh. Our heroic
protagonist is represented as a stereotypical hero because he rushes to save
her. (although this represents the female police officer as a damsel in
distress who needs to be saved by the heroic protagonist- one of the most
common stereotypes in existence)Before he saves her, he asks her if he has
permission to touch her body, which shows just how stereotypical his heroic
qualities are. He does not think of sexual desire, only focusing on the duty to
save this woman’s life, and to assist other people.
