Hancock (film)
| Hancock | |
|---|---|
 Promotional Poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Berg |
| Written by | Vince Gilligan Vincent Ngo |
| Produced by | Akiva Goldsman James Lassiter Michael Mann Will Smith |
| Starring | Will Smith Charlize Theron Jason Bateman Johnny Galecki |
| Edited by | Paul Rubell |
| Music by | John Powell |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date | July 1 2008 |
Running time | 92 min.[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150 million |
Hancock is a comedy superhero film directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize Theron. The story was originally written by Vincent Ngo in 1996 and had languished in Hollywood for some time. The project has had various directors attached, including Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Jonathan Mostow, and Gabriele Muccino. Hancock was originally intended to be filmed before I Am Legend, also starring Will Smith. Hancock was filmed in Los Angeles. In the United States, the film was rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America after cuts were made at the organization's behest to avoid a "restricted" (R) rating, which it had received twice previously. The film was released on July 1, 2008 in the UK and the 2nd in the US.
Premise
Will Smith portrays an alcoholic superhero named "Hancock" who is despised by the public. When he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), the latter helps rehabilitate Hancock. He begins to develop feelings for Ray's wife Mary (Charlize Theron).[2]
Cast
- Will Smith as John Hancock, an alcoholic, down-and-out, incredibly sarcastic superhero.[3] He is invulnerable, possesses superhuman strength, and can fly at supersonic speeds.[4] To give a realistic appearance of superhero flight, Smith was often suspended by wires 200 feet above the ground and propelled at 50 miles per hour.[5] Hancock's powers resembles to Superman and Icon.
- Jason Bateman as Ray Embrey, a corporate public relations consultant whose life Hancock saves. Bateman said, "[It] was a fun thing to play, a very idealistic guy that's trying to build up this suicidal, homeless alcoholic that then ends up hitting on my wife. It was a fun thing. To play the victim is funny."[6]
- Charlize Theron as Mary Embrey, Ray's wife.
- Johnny Galecki as Jeremy, Ray's co-worker.[7]
Production
Screenwriter Vincent Ngo wrote the spec script Tonight, He Comes in 1996. The draft, about a troubled 12-year-old and a fallen superhero, was initially picked up by director Tony Scott as a potential project.[8] Producer Akiva Goldsman came across the script, which he had considered a favorite,[9] and encouraged Richard Saperstein, then president of development and production at Artisan Entertainment, to acquire it in 2002.[8] Director Michael Mann was initially attached to direct Tonight, He Comes, but he instead opted to direct Miami Vice (2006).[9] Eventually, Artisan placed the project in turnaround, and it was acquired by Goldsman.[10]
Screenwriters Vince Gilligan and John August performed rewrites of Ngo's script,[11] and Jonathan Mostow was attached to direct the film. Under Mostow's supervision, a 10-page treatment was written to be pitched to actor Will Smith to portray the lead role in the film, since both had worked together on Hitch (2005). Both Mostow and Smith were not yet committed to make the project an active priority at the time. Several studios pursued the opportunity to finance the film, and Columbia Pictures succeeded in acquiring the prospect in February 2005. A second draft was scripted by Gilligan following the finalization of the deal with Columbia. The film was initially slated for a holiday 2006 release.[10]
In November 2005, Mostow and Smith committed to Tonight, He Comes, with production slated to begin in Los Angeles in summer 2006.[9] Smith had set up a pay or play contract to film I Am Legend (2007) under Warner Bros. after completion of Tonight, He Comes.[12] Mostow eventually departed from the project due to creative differences.[13] Italian director Gabriele Muccino filled Mostow's vacancy in May 2006. Since Muccino was busy editing The Pursuit of Happyness starring Smith, which Muccino had directed, Smith switched projects to film I Am Legend first for its December 2007 release, and then film Tonight, He Comes afterward.[14] Later in the month, Muccino left the project because of an incompatibility with filming the story. Since Muccino was preparing The Pursuit of Happyness, the studio had delayed the production start for Tonight, He Comes to summer 2007, enabling Warner Bros. to begin production of I Am Legend with Smith.[13]
In October 2006, Peter Berg was attached to direct Tonight, He Comes with production slated to begin in May 2007 in Los Angeles, the story's setting.[15] Before filming began, Tonight, He Comes was retitled John Hancock.[3] The film title was eventually shortened to Hancock.[16] Filming began on Hancock on July 3 2007 in Los Angeles,[17] having a production budget of $150 million.[11] Locations like Hollywood Boulevard were designed to look damaged, having rubble, overturned vehicles, and fires.[5] Smith's character is also an alcoholic, so for scenes in liquor stores, the art department designed fake labels such as Pap Smear Vodka for the bottles because "brown-bag brands" like Thunderbird and Night Train refused to lend their names.[18]
Release
Marketing
The New York Times noted that Hancock's original story and controversial subject matter present a stark contrast to "a summerful of sequels and animated sure shots" and represent a gamble for "an increasingly corporate entertainment industry". Hancock had been reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America twice and has both times received an R rating instead of the makers' preferred PG-13 rating to target broader audiences. Questionable elements for the MPAA included Smith's character drinking in front of a 17-year-old and the character flying under the influence of alcohol. One element that was removed from the film to appeal to the MPAA was statutory rape. With such elements, studio executives only became comfortable with Hancock when the marketing approach focused on action and humor. Berg noted, "The ad campaign for this movie is much friendlier than the film."[11] The MPAA ultimately gave the film a PG-13 rating, citing "some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence and language".[4]
Hancock was originally titled Tonight, He Comes and later changed to John Hancock before settling on its current title. Marketing consultants attempted to persuade Sony Pictures to again change the title Hancock because it was too vague for audiences, suggesting alternatives like Heroes Never Die, Unlikely Hero, and Less Than Hero. Despite the advice, Sony stayed with Hancock and anticipated marketing on the popularity of the film's star, Will Smith.[19]
Hancock had its world premiere as the opener at the 30th Moscow International Film Festival on June 19 2008.[20] To avoid copyright infringement, organizers undertook "unprecedented" steps to prevent illegal reproduction of the film.[21] The film was commercially released on July 2 2008.[22]
Reception
Hancock has received mostly average reviews from film critics,[23] with a general consensus that it begins with promise, but suffers from a weak story and poor execution.[24] Rotten Tomatoes reported that 36% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based upon a sample of 101, with an an average score of 5.2/10.[24] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 50, based on 26 reviews.[23] Movie Tab reported an average score of 60.8% from a sample of 22 critics.[25]
Todd McCarthy of Variety said of the film, "An intriguing high concept is undermined by low-grade dramaturgy." McCarthy thought that the "vulgar goofiness" did not mesh well with the "rough-and-ready realism of Berg's raw visuals", believing that the film took an "illogical" downturn after an "amusing and plausible enough" first half.[26] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter had praise for the cast, but believed that extended development of the film had reduced its quality, writing, "Somewhere along the way, a sharp black comedy lost its bite." Farber thought the film unraveled partway through, noting, "It veers from comedy to romantic tragedy and introduces an elaborate backstory that never makes much sense." He concluded, "The visual effects are stellar, but the true star is Smith, who again demonstrates acting chops as well as effortless charisma in a vehicle that's only occasionally worthy of his superhuman skills."[27]
Plot
Hancock is the story of a reverse superhero, similar to a 'heel' in wrestling. Hancock performs miraculous acts with his supernatural strength but often causes collateral damage in the process of doing so. Hancock is aware that his actions are those of a 'jerk' (more offensive term used in the movie) but battles with alcohol and depression. Hancock meets a PR agent, Ray Embrey, who teaches him how to reform his image in the public. Hancock's antics force a confrontation with Ray's wife, Mary, and he unlocks the secret of his past and his powers.
References
- ^ "Hancock at BBFC". British Board of Film Classification. 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Swanson, Tim. "Will Smith Extra". Premiere. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
- ^ a b Stax (2007-06-20). "Tonight, He Gets Retitled". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Linder, Brian (2008-06-05). "Preview: Hancock". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Bowles, Scott (2008-04-09). "Sneak peek: 'Hancock' — Another superhero with issues?". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Topel, Fred (2007-12-28). "Will Smith and Jason Bateman Talk Hancock". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Dodd, Stacy (2007-08-26). "Johnny Galecki". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Fleming, Michael (2002-07-17). "Artisan 'Comes' to deal with Goldsman". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Fleming, Michael (2005-11-30). "Col has plans for 'Tonight'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Fleming, Michael (2005-02-16). "Col, Smith get hitched to hero pic". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Cieply, Michael (2008-05-04). "A Man of Steel With Feet of Clay". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Fleming, Michael (2006-04-25). "'Legend' reborn again at Warners". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Fleming, Michael (2006-05-17). "'Tonight' helmer ankles". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Fleming, Michael (2006-05-03). "Inside Move: 'Legend' of Smith an early tale for WB". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Fleming, Michael (2006-10-15). "'Tonight' he shoots". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Will Smith hits new heights for 'Hancock'". MSNBC. NBC Universal, Microsoft. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Domestic film: In production". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
- ^ Horn, John (2008-05-04). "Will Smith's familiar signature is on 'Hancock'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Friedman, Josh (2008-05-12). "Some movies are entitled to do well". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Ferris-Rotman, Amie (2008-06-20). "Smith and Theron descend on Moscow to promote film". Reuters. The Thomson Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Kozlov, Vladimir (2008-06-05). "Moscow film fest to open with 'Hancock'". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Hancock". ComingSoon.net. Coming Soon Media, L.P. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "Hancock (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ a b "Hancock Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Hancock Reviews". Movietab.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ McCarthy, Todd (2008-06-24). "Hancock". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Farber, Stephen (2008-06-24). "Film Review: Hancock". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
