HANCOCK
Starring:
Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head and Eddie Marsan
Director:
Peter Berg
Running
Time:
92 mins
Out to buy on Blu-Ray/DVD 01/12/08
"Ain't you supposed to be doing something?"
You would think that Los Angeles would be grateful to have a superhero saves lives and fighting crime but you don't know Hancock (Smith). Spending most of his time drunk and when he does try to save the day he usually causes more damage to the city and the people he saves, Hancock has become more of a liability than a hero. When he saves Ray Embrey (Bateman), he promises to turn his fortunes around and turn all his negative PR into a positive by making the city realise that they need him.
The idea of a superhero who doesn't want the responsibility of his powers is certainly a premise that can be played on but it is just a shame that the people behind 'Hancock' didn't just stick with that premise.
The resurgence of the comic book movie has seen many a hero hitting the silver screen but seldom have we seen a superhero that doesn't really want to use his powers, well, for anything. Hancock is a man who is invulnerable to bullets, knives and anything else the bad guys can throw at them, has unbelievable strength, can fly and doesn't grow old but for him this isn't a gift, it is a curse. When he is asked to use his powers for the greater good, Hancock usually end up causing more destruction than he would if he hadn't intervened. This made the Los Angeles authorities make public enemy number and insist that he give himself in. Unfortunately there is no prison that can hold Hancock and he continues to live on the streets of LA, almost like a bum, spending most of his time drunk. This all changes when he meets PR man Ray Embrey and unfortunately this is where the film changes as well.
Seeing Hancock try and make amends for all of the damage and mayhem he has caused under the instruction of Ray draws you into the movie. The montage of news reports and YouTube videos highlighting some of antics are very funny and make the character's try at redemption all the better but it is the revelation as to why Hancock has his powers that is a very unwelcome twist.
The introduction of Charlize Theron's character Mary Embrey and the revelation that comes with this almost ruins the movie. The comedic start and the excellent chemistry between star Will Smith as Hancock and Jason Bateman's Ray Embrey is transformed into melodrama for no apparent reason. The film could have easily continued with a hero struggling to realise that his powers are a gift and not a burden but instead and for some reason this is a trait with all superhero movies, they decide to deal with the origin of Hancock's powers and the repercussions of this. It would have been far better just to leave this as a mystery of nature and just have the comedic duo of Smith and Bateman continue with the super powered antics.
What could have been a great film has unfortunately been transformed into mediocre superhero drama. While the performances and the effects are first rate, as you'd expect from a Will Smith movie, but the twist in the plot really lets the movie down and makes it just a good watch and not a great hero movie, which it so easily could have been.
PICTURE & SOUND
The Blu-Ray disc presents the movie in High Definition wide screen 1:85 up to 1080p, with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound. Unfortunately it shows that the visual effects are not as good as more traditional superhero films.
BONUS FEATURES
On Set Visual
Diary
Watch the movie with a Picture-in-Picture behind the scenes diary of the
production of 'Hancock'. This covers both the original cut and the unrated
version of the movie, with director Peter Berg and his cast and crew showing
how film was made. This is a very different kind of director's commentary
and one that takes advantage of the new Blu-Ray technology.
Superhumans
- The Making of Hancock (12.51 mins/High Definition)
Director Peter Berg, producers Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann and James
Lassiter and stars Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman take
you behind the scenes of 'Hancock' and show you how a big budget, alternative
take on the superhero movie.
Seeing the
future (15.11 mins/High Definition)
Split into sections entitled 'Pre Vis', 'Bank Robbery', 'SUV Chase', 'Hancock
meets Ray', 'Hancock in Jail', 'Mary vs Hancock', 'Liquor Store shoot
out' and 'Hospital Fight', with contributions from director Peter Berg,
producers Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann and James Lassiter, executive producer
Ian Bryne and visual effects designer John Dykstra, these mini-featurettes
over insights into the making of key scenes.
Bumps and
Bruises (10.28 mins/High Definition)
Director Peter Berg and star Will Smith talk about the practical effects
of the Bank Robbery sequence.
Home Life
(10.48 mins/High Definition)
Producer Akiva Goldsman, executive producer Ian Bryce and star Jason Bateman
give you guided tour of Ray's house and his street, which were built for
the film.
Suiting
Up (8.22 mins/High Definition)
Director Peter Berg, executive producer Ian Bryce, producer Michael Mann,
costume designer Louise Mingenbach and star Will Smith talk about the
many looks of Hancock throughout the film.
Mere Mortals:
Behind the scenes with 'Dirty Pete' (3.47 mins/High Definition)
The Cast and crew talk about working with director Peter Berg and his
habits on set.
Trailers
Previews of 'House Bunny', 'Lake View Terrace', 'Nick and Noah's Infinite
Playlist' and 'Men in Black'
OVERALL
The Blu-Ray treatment for 'Hancock' showcases what the new technology can do. The picture in picture behind the scenes diary is excellent and the rest of the featurettes cover every aspect of the film's production. This is one disc that fans of the film will enjoy.
BLU-RAY
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