Hancock [Blu-ray] [2008] | ![Hancock [Blu-ray] [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VKJcbDpML._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Peter Berg
Actors: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent. UK
Category: DVD
List Price: £24.99
Buy New: £12.99
You Save: £12.00 (48%)
New (12) Used (4) from £12.00
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 282
Format: Pal
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Media: Blu-ray
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 98
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050629715217
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: December 1, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New Boxed
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Product Description
Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
Amazon.co.uk Review
Hancock turns the standard superhero movie inside-out. The titular character, played by Will Smith, can fly, has super strength and is invulnerable. But he's also a sloppy, arrogant alcoholic who causes millions of dollars in property damage whenever he bothers to fight crime. When he saves the life of a PR agent named Ray (Jason Bateman, Arrested Development), Ray decides to improve Hancock's image--starting by having Hancock surrender himself to the authorities and go to prison for his lawless behaviour. The idea is that once he's in prison, the crime rate will go up and people will start realising Hancock might be of value after all. This is only the first act of Hancock though--from there, the film takes several surprising turns that shouldn't be revealed. Hancock isn't a great movie, but it is an extremely entertaining one. The script, which holds together far better than most superhero movies, has a propulsive plot, good dialogue, some compassion for its characters, and even an actual idea or two. The spectacular action at least gestures towards obeying the laws of physics, which actually makes the special effects more vivid. The three leads (Smith, Bateman, and Charlize Theron as Ray's wife, Mary) deftly balance the movie's mixture of comedy, action, and drama. All in all, a smart subversive twist on a genre that all too often takes itself all too seriously. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Will 'somebody please turn out the lights' Smith January 6, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was looking forward to this immensely. One of the first movies I have watched on my new Blu-Ray player, I was ready to be impressed!
Sadly, Hancock starts brilliantly but fades into a mish-mash of sentimentality and run-of-the-mill banality about a third of the way through.
When there are special effects, they are top notch! Blu-Ray really shows off the lighting effects and the scene where Hancock is zooming between skyscapers looks amazing.
Smith is convincing (if a little hammy) as the troubled alcoholic-enigma Hancock, and although Bateman plays PR agent Ray very well, his character is unconvincing- would anyone be that bothered?
I some ways I enjoyed this- it has good special effects, some of the lines are well written, and it is funny in parts- but I expected more.
Hancock is a film which probably tries to do too much, and in turn fails to deliver fully in action, comedy and drama.
Enjoyable, but it left me with a feeling that my two hours would have been better spent watching re-runs of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air!
 Different direction for the superhero genre January 2, 2009
Hancock is a very different type of superhero film and when I saw the trailers I was really interested in the concept which I thought was very good.
Do not buy this film expecting a typical superhero film. Some of the later superhero films have dealt with themes of loss and accepting responsibility but Hancock does it in a much more down to earth way. The dialogue is a bit more 'real' especially from Hancock himself.
To see someone with Hancock's powers as disillusioned as he is does make you root for him due in no small part to the skill of Will Smith (is there anything this guy can't do?) portraying Hancock as simultaneously uncaring but vulnerable. Many of the scenes depicting Hancock as a down and out drunkard are funny; his acerbic putdowns to unimpressed civilians he has just helped are really, really funny especially the one where he says to man that he should sue McDonalds. He's given up on people and people have given up him.
I'm sure I read somewhere that the film was unfortunately heavily tampered with by the studio just prior to release as they had last minute reservations as to the tone of the film. You can see the effects of this; the film just doesn't quite gel. Certainly the 'baddies' in this film aren't credible enough and they feel tacked on and cliched. Coming up with a realistic threat to someone who is essentially equal to Superman in abilities is not easy but they could have done better here. There is a good twist in the film though.
We follow Hancock through his redemptive process of volunteering to go to jail. With the help of Ray, an advertising exec Hancock rescued who is now handling his PR, he smartens himself up and by the time the public are basically begging for him to be released from jail because the crime rate is soaring he's ready to roll with a new atttiude towards the people who should really be idolising him.
Hancock is a good watch, there are some genuinely funny moments and some genuinely touching ones. I think the biggest weaknesses are the ones I've already mentioned. Studio execs should not be allowed to interfere with film making. They should stick to worrying about cash, let the talented people worry about creative decisions. That's my two pence worth.
The disc comes with the unrated version of the film which actually adds more depth to Hancock's character. The scene with Hancock, Ray and his wife having dinner is in both films but that's a very strong scene and is probably the key the whole film. You learn a lot about Hancock right there including the most likely reason for his attitude.
The picture quality of the disc is very good; right up there with other top class blurays. There is a digital copy of the film on a bonus DVD in the pack which can be loaded on to a PC or PSP, a nice addition.
This film has polarised opinion pretty well but I'm in the 'it's good' camp on this one. It's not the best but it's shortcomings are compensated for very well by the human elements of the story.
Look at the price for this Bluray. It's good value for a 2 disc set. If you want something that's a bit different go for it.
Good Popcorn film December 29, 2008
Hancock is a simple story of a lazy degenerate who saves lives, and after realising people can be loved, becomes a superhero. The film has a brilliant opening and a great concept but it does tail towards the end. The film seemed like it wos to skew fun at super hero genre but added too many different ideas leaving this a hard genre to define.
Im a huge Will Smith fan, I believe he portrayed his character well, although the comedy style was to Will's favour. It is not his best work (arguably the persuit of happyness or Ali) but its a nice change to see him taking a less serious roll of late.
The Blu Ray transfer is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video at 2.40:1. It is a great picture, sharp details and very good blacks, there is great colour saturation and almost no graining, as to be expected by a big budget Sony product.
Overall the story is lack luster but the film is technically brilliant hence the 4 stars
not worth buying on blu-ray December 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had the blu-ray version free with my new blu-ray player. It was a decent film and Will Smith played a good part as the drunken superhero who turns out good. I was really disappointed with the sound as it did not make good use of the 5-1 through our home theatre system - all you heard were the crashes as he landed! I would have been unhappy if I had paid full price for the blu-ray.
Boring December 6, 2008
I really didnt see the point to the film I can see why some people might like it but its just not for me I think the original idea for this film was probably a good one which got lost during filming.
So he is a bad superhero who tries to sort his life out then at the end all of a sudden he notices someone else has the same powers as him who is the wife of the guy who helped him sort his life out. I thought i would like this as I am a fan of will smiths other films.
On the plus side if you like the movie it comes with a disc that allows you to transfer the movie to your pc and psp so you can watch it again I dont think il bother watching this film once was enough for me.
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