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Hancock [Blu-ray] [2008] | ![Hancock [Blu-ray] [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VKJcbDpML._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Peter Berg
Actors: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent. UK
Category: DVD
List Price: £24.99
Buy New: £12.95
You Save: £12.04 (48%)
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 294
Format: Pal
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Media: Blu-ray
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050629715217
ASIN: B001E02F80
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: December 1, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: still in cellophane wrapping
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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...
 One of his best movies in recent years... October 29, 2008
Mrs. Kiranjit Kaur (Birmingham uk)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
I completely disagree with the other 2 reviewers... this movie was by far one of Will Smith's better movies in recent years.. he hasnt produced many.. whereas I-Robot for example - it was similar to other movies... but hancock was good because Will Smith played a role that he was good at... comedy...
I really enjoyed this! November 21, 2008
Mr. Ian Manton (UK)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
I completely diasagree with the first two reviewers as well. I went to see this when it was out in the cinema (small local cinema - who only intended to show it for one night) - the place was sold out and they ended up putting it on for weeks instead.
I thought this movie was very cleverly done, Will Smith portrayed the character very well, and the tongue in cheek approach used here worked very well. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and was frequently laughing out loud.
I didn't know what to expect going to see this but I'm glad I did and think most people will find it very enjoyable.
 Good Popcorn film December 29, 2008
Simon Donald (Scotland, Montrose)
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
Different direction for the superhero genre January 2, 2009
brainleek007 (Manchester, UK)
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.
not worth buying on blu-ray December 28, 2008
T. M. Burns (Shropshire)
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.
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