Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: Blu-ray
Brand: Sony
EAN: 0043396279001
Format: AC-3
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Release Date: 2008-11-25
Running Time: 102
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
MPN: COLBR27900

Academy Award® nominee Will Smith (Best Actor, The Pursuit of Happyness, 2006) stars in this action-packed comedy as Hancock, a sarcastic, hard-living and misunderstood superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public. When Hancock grudgingly agrees to an extreme makeover from idealistic publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman, Juno), his life and reputation rise from the ashes and all seems right again--until he meets a woman (2003 Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron, Best Actress, Monster) with similar powers to his and the key to his secret past.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Hancock
Comment: Good special effects, but the sex scene didn't fit the story line which was tired and predictable. The actors seemed like they were calling it in, and the direction appeared to be by committee.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Another outstanding Will Smith movie
Comment: I liked this movie very much & happy to have it in my DVD collection. Its a little offbeat,it has a slight 'cult' feel to it. The action and story are outstanding. I watched both versions of this movie & both are equally enjoyable. Will Smith is Hancock who is a hero that is often called an a-hole, because he's a jerk of a hero. And a drunk. During the movie he undergoes a character chance,via going to prison and getting help from a PR guy (Jason Bateman) The cover gives away that he's not the only superhuman on Earth,sorry to say for those not having seen it in the theaters... This isn't as quite as good as any of the 3 X-men movies (just my opinion) , but its on par /somewhat better than other action movies such as Fantastic Four ( 1 and 2 ) I Robot, I am Legend. If you liked the Hulk movies,other Marvel Superhero movies you will like this as well,maybe more. I was into the characters in this. It was cool to see Jason Bateman who was once a teen idol of sorts. I would certainly rent this first if you arent at least 90% certain that you would like this movie. Id say half of you will call it a renter - and half of you will go running to the local video store and get the DVD of it :) I bought it without seeing it in the theaters first and I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through. Having seen the 92 minute and 102 minute versions, you cant go wrong either way.
I have the steelbook DVD - which is basically the same as the 2 disc unrated version. If you totally love this movie, get the 2 disc, but if you like it and want to own it and don't care about bonus features,extras,etc, then just get the one disc. (note the one disc has the theatrical version)
++Somewhat of a spoiler - One flaw of the theatrical version - when Charlize Theron ( Mary) goes to meet Hancock "at 4 O'clock" she flies to his home. In the unrated version she drives over there. When she is trying to leave - in the theatrical version you can see a quick glimpse of her trying to get back into the car even though in this version she flew++

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Could Have Been Better, But Still Quite Entertaining
Comment: The basic premise of this film is a fascinating one that really has never been explored in mainstream films: what happens when a bona fide superhero ends up being more trouble than he is worth? This is exactly the case with Will Smith's Hancock, who (although saving lives) also wreaks tremendous damage to the city and is a dirty, stinking alcoholic. Thus, the "hook" of this film involves Hancock trying to rehab his sullen, non-caring image after meeting a PR consultant on one of his "rescue" missions.

What works in this film is the theme of "superhero gone bad". Coming on the heels of "The Dark Knight", which really toyed with the definitions of heroes and villains, "Hancock" takes that theme to a whole new level, as he is a terrible person in every way besides the fact that he saves a few lives every once in awhile. Thus, the most entertaining portions of this film occur as Hancock tries to learn the delicate balance between being a role model and still being "cool" at the same time. Early in the movie, Hancock's loneliness is so readily observed that one can believe he will try anything to gain some respect or friendships.

On the other hand, I thought that the reveal of where Hancock is actually from was a bit lacking. The build-up to his origins are fantastic (as his scattered memories contribute mightily to his apathy towards being "good"), but the reveal leaves much to be desired. In all honesty, I still don't exactly know what/who Hancock is with much certainty. More fleshing out of that angle of the storyline may have pushed this film to a five-star rating from me.

Overall, Hancock is a very entertaining movie...and really, what more can you ask for?! Despite being a bit lacking in Hancock's character history, the film DOES provide some great action scenes, multiple moments of comedy, and an original storyline that will make you personally feel for the tormented "superhero".

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Please, no sequels. This is just enough and lackluster at best!
Comment: As Will Smith has become the "King" of the summer blockbuster, you would think the film company and director would produce a proper showing for such high expectations of a superstar. Unfortunately, what you get here is a stellar first hour filled with lots of character development, complex plot lines, so-so acting (we're not lookin for Oscars here) and some tricked out special effects that are mind blowing to say the least.

Then comes the last 40 minutes or so... Right about the time Will Smith gets thrown for a loop in the plot line and everything unravels from then on. I can see why they did this since you can only keep teenage boys' attention for so long before it falls into oblivion. Take a great story and round up all your plot points for one plot point and get to the ending as soon as possible. Quite a shame because there was a lot going for this movie in the beginning. If they had kept that momentum going and used the antagonists like they should have, this would've been a really great film. Unfortunately, it's all fodder by the time the film ends.

I give this movie three stars because of the great first hour and it being truly visionary in it's concept. Unfortunately, it just doesn't earn the other 2 stars to make it a first rate movie, falling short of a cohesive whole. Rent this film and see for yourself but don't buy this one unless you really gotta have every Will Smith movie.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: HANCOCK is Pure Popcorn Fun!!
Comment: Superman was raised by a kindly couple and taught the decent way to live and respect life. Thor is the God of thunder who was exiled from his home of eternal Asgard to live on Earth as a mortal so that he may learn humility. Spider-man required personal tragedy so he could realize the responsibility of having powers--Batman deals with his tragedy in a very different way, for him he does what he does for vengeance.

All comic book "super-heroes" have their stories of the "why's", the "how's" and the "what's". Director Peter Berg's "HANCOCK" is a spin on the super-hero genre, together with the screenplay by Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan they present a hero not adapted from any line of comic book myth. The film has all the elements of a comic and exudes "popcorn entertainment".

John Hancock (Will Smith) is a man with tremendous powers, he has chosen to use these powers to help people but he has been labeled as a menace in the eyes of the public. He befriends a public relations specialist named Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) who encourages him to be "nice" and stop acting like a jerk. Despite the protestations of his wife Mary (Charlize Theron) not to get too close, Ray and Hancock forges an uneasy relationship. Hancock is a guy who has no idea exactly how he came to be--he's an immortal with no memory of his past. He is, however, about to find out....

The first act of the film fleshes out the frustrations and anger that Hancock suffers. He is brash, careless, irresponsible, rude, hot-headed and well, a lot arrogant. He carelessly uses his powers to help but for some reason, the people he helps ends up disliking him. Power without responsibility and the ability to use wisely is indeed a menace. He wreaks destruction to property and his exploits prove too expensive for the city so a warrant for his arrest is issued. This aspect has been explored in Marvel's "Civil War" comic mini-series, which delves into a plotline about a required government registration act for super-beings. For in the real world, property damage is a major obstacle for super-heroes. (no wonder they wear masks) The film is sort of a "coming of age" movie, as the character of Ray Embrey becomes his sort of a mentor--ironic that a mere mortal could teach him the ropes of "super-heroing". The film is sort of a social affair and fleshes out the feeling of alienation to those who are different. There is one major plot hole or a perhaps more of a question in the film, a being as powerful as Hancock can be affected by alcohol or does he just act as if he is so impaired? Where does he get his money--does he do anything for a living?

The film is your usual "run of the mill" comic film, but it does attempt to find a soul. The origins of Hancock is quite interesting and while it is a tad underdeveloped (no doubt a set up for a sequel) the script does offer quite a few surprises. The film does have a sort of a "love triangle", no doubt to please the female audience. The mystery of Hancock is actually the film's most effective selling point and opens up to a lot of potential, it manages to achieve this for a first installment. There is a touch of tragedy in the film's final act as Hancock has to choose and sacrifice. It is a bit predictable but nonetheless it manages to maintain its forward momentum since the groundwork had been carefully laid out. All heroes have a weakness--this one is sort of a fail-safe for god-like beings. That weakness may be a little undefined and underdeveloped but it was interesting enough to get some emotions going.

The special effects are quite impressive. The flights and exploits of Hancock is pure eye-candy as he crushes and destroys property. I especially loved the scene when he stopped a locomotive as it is a clear example of his single-minded purpose with no regard for anything else. The superhuman fight is quite fun to see but it was just too much special effects that it lacked definition of the combatants. I rather expected a more dragged-out fight than a minor display of special effects. The film has some nice touches of humor--that prison scene that involved two inmates is very amusing although a lot far-fetched and unbelievable. One thing I have to say, Hancock has to watch himself carefully when he has sex.

Will Smith has definitely matured as an actor since his "Fresh Prince" days. The man can indeed act and while it is the same acting style as in his previous movies, he did fit the character. His performance may not be on par as in "The Pursuit of Happyness" but he made best with whatever he had to work with. Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman proves a competent supporting cast; Theron is still as sexy as ever and Bateman is the usual "nice guy" with integrity.

Overall, "HANCOCK" is a lot of fun. The film is very enjoyable and entertaining; while it does have its flaws, the script managed to keep me interested for its entirety. The effective twist is sort of a tragedy and played a key element on its success. The direction by Peter Berg manages to keep an amount of restraint that I commend him for doing so, since some scenes had the dangerous potential to become heavy-handed. The effective chemistry between its performers and the nicely paced action sequences makes it a fun popcorn film. I am pretty sure there will be a sequel since Hancock's character had just started cooking and if there will be a "Hancock 2", consider me all in.

Video/Audio: 2.35 ratio anamorphic widescreen. The image is very good but it looked a little soft on some scenes. I think studios aren't mastering Dvds in High-def for full Picture potential anymore to push the Blu-Ray product. It's a good image but it could have looked a lot better. Maybe it was meant to look this way? The 5.1 Dolby Digital audio is very powerful and fits this kind of movie.
Extras: making of/production notes/seeing the future feature about its storyboard and concepts/Effects concept/backgrounds
The unrated version has an added scene to display Hancock's prowess in bed and contains some more profanity. The added scenes may not add anything significant but it does add a more humorous and gritty feel.

Highly Recommended! [4- Stars]

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