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Hancock (film)

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Hancock
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPeter Berg
Written byVince Gilligan
Vincent Ngo
Produced byAkiva Goldsman
James Lassiter
Michael Mann
Will Smith
StarringWill Smith
Charlize Theron
Jason Bateman
Eddie Marsan
CinematographyTobias A. Schliessler
Edited byPaul Rubell
Colby Parker Jr.
Music byJohn Powell
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
July 2 2008
Running time
92 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150 million
Box office$190,994,414

Hancock is a 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 changes were made at the organization's request in order to avoid a "restricted" (R) rating, which it had received twice before. The film was widely released on July 2 2008 in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Plot

John Hancock (Will Smith) is an unhappy, alcoholic superhero who is living in his own miserable and lonely world. He has saved numerous lives in Los Angeles over the years, but in doing so has caused widespread property damage costing the city millions of dollars. The public has had enough of Hancock, and want him to either stop or move to another city. One day, Hancock saves Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a public-relations spokesperson whose attempts to market his world-changing "All-Heart" charity aren't gaining traction, from being run over by a train (in the process causing a massive derailment in Hancock's haphazard manner). Ray feels he owes Hancock his life, and he makes it his mission to change Hancock's public image for the better.

Ray persuades Hancock to go to prison so that the public will realize how much they need him. He reluctantly agrees and after a month the Chief of Police calls him to help save an officer who is pinned down in a chaotic bank robbery shootout. Hancock saves the officer, removes the gang, and cuts the hand off the gang's leader (Eddie Marsan), who is holding a dead man's switch on a detonator.

After the rescue, Hancock becomes popular once more, as Ray had predicted. Ray and his wife Mary (Charlize Theron) go out to dinner with Hancock, where he relates how he woke up 80 years earlier with no memories of his life. Later that night, while Ray sleeps after passing out from drinking too much, Hancock discovers that Mary has super powers as well. Mary reveals that they are the last two "gods" or "angels" and have been a couple off and on for 3,000 years. All the others of their kind died - when they meet their other half they become mortal, which allows them to be injured, age, and have children. These immortals were created in pairs, and are inevitably drawn towards each other; she is Hancock's other half and wife for the last three millenia. She left him after he lost his memory after an attack in order to keep him from losing his powers.

Mary and Hancock have a brief fight over revealing this fact to Ray, inadvertently doing just that in the process. Hancock starts to lose his powers and is shot twice in the chest when he stops a liquor store robbery. When he is admitted to the hospital, the news media covers it, thus revealing his location. Shortly before this the news had also revealed that the one-handed robber had orchestrated a jail break during which eight men escape. Along with two other men, whom Hancock attacked and humiliated during his first day in prison, the revenge-driven villain heads to the hospital. Mary is shot while attempting to protect Hancock. Hancock finishes off the henchmen, but is still severely wounded. Just as he is about to be killed by the one-handed criminal, Ray grabs a fire axe and chops the killer's other hand off, thus saving Hancock. To save Mary, Hancock leaves the city, restoring both of their powers. The film ends with Hancock accepting his role as a hero and living in New York City, letting Ray and Mary live a normal life while remaining their friend. He calls them on the phone one evening as they walk along the Santa Monica Pier and has them look up to the sky. He has painted Ray's All-Heart logo on the moon as a thanks.

Cast

  • Will Smith as John Hancock, an alcoholic, down-and-out, incredibly sarcastic superhero.[1] He is invulnerable, does not age, possesses superhuman strength, and can fly at supersonic speeds.[2] To give a realistic appearance of superhero flight, Smith was often suspended by wires 60 feet above the ground and propelled at 40-50 miles per hour.[3]
  • 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."[4]
  • Charlize Theron as Mary Embrey, Ray's wife.

Production

Development history

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.[5] Producer Akiva Goldsman came across the script, which he had considered a favorite,[6] and encouraged Richard Saperstein, then president of development and production at Artisan Entertainment, to acquire it in 2002.[5] Director Michael Mann was initially attached to direct Tonight, He Comes, but he instead opted to direct Miami Vice (2006).[6] Eventually, Artisan placed the project in turnaround, and it was acquired by Goldsman.[7]

Screenwriters Vince Gilligan and John August performed rewrites of Ngo's script,[8] 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. 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.[7]

In November 2005, Mostow and Smith committed to Tonight, He Comes, with production slated to begin in Los Angeles in summer 2006.[6] Smith had set up a pay or play contract to film I Am Legend (2007) under Warner Bros. after completion of Tonight, He Comes.[9] Mostow eventually departed from the project due to creative differences.[10] 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.[11] 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.[10]

Filming

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.[12] Berg was midway through filming The Kingdom when he heard about the film and called Michael Mann, who had become one of its producers.[13] The new director compared the original script's tone to Leaving Las Vegas (1995), calling it "a scathing character study of this suicidal alcoholic superhero". The director explained the rewrite, "We thought the idea was cool, but we did want to lighten it up. We all did."[14] Before filming began, Tonight, He Comes was retitled John Hancock,[1] and it was eventually shortened to Hancock.[15] Filming began on Hancock on July 3 2007 in Los Angeles,[16] having a production budget of $150 million.[8] Locations like Hollywood Boulevard were designed to look damaged, having rubble, overturned vehicles, and fires.[17] 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]

Hancock was Peter Berg's first film with visual effects as critical cinematic elements.[13] He considered the computer-generated fight his least favorite part of the film, citing limited control in making the scene successful. According to the director, "Once the fight starts, you're very limited and you're at the mercy of your effects guys... unless they're really technically oriented, that it's definitely the time we have the least amount of control as directors." He and other filmmakers worked to cut down on the fight scene, believing that the film's success would come from the character study of Smith's character, John Hancock, similar to Robert Downey Jr.'s acclaimed portrayal of Tony Stark in the previous May's release, Iron Man.[14] The director said if Hancock pulls in as much business as predicted, a sequel, Hancock 2, would likely follow.[13]

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 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."[8] The MPAA ultimately gave the film a PG-13 rating, citing "some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence and language".[2]

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]

Theatrical run

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]

For the film, Sony created a digital camera package (DCP) having 4K resolution, containing four times more information than the typical DCP that possessed 2K resolution. Projectors for the higher-resolution package have been installed in 200 theaters in the United States with two dozen in evaluation. The impact of the package has been debated, with one argument being that the difference is not noticeable and the counter-argument being that the higher resolution has future value.[22]

Prior to the film's opening five-day weekend in the United States and Canada, predictions for its weekend performance ranged from as low as $70 million to as high as $125 million.[23][24] Hancock was shown in advance screenings on July 1 2008 in 3,680 theaters in the United States and Canada, grossing $6.8 million. The film was widely released on July 2 2008, expanding to 3,965 theaters.[25] At the conclusion of the five-day weekend, Hancock took top placement at the box office in the United States and Canada, grossing an estimated $107.3 million. The film had the third-biggest opening 4th of July weekend after Transformers (2007) and Spider-Man 2 (2004). Hancock was Will Smith's fifth film to open on a 4th of July weekend and was his most successful opening to date. The film was also Smith's eighth film in a row to take top placement in the American and Canadian box office and the twelfth film in Smith's career to lead the box office.[26][27]

Outside of the United States and Canada, Hancock grossed $78.3 million in its opening weekend, drawing from 5,444 screenings across 50 markets, ranking it the third highest international opening of 2008 after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Iron Man.[28] Hancock averaged $14,382 per screen. It placed on top in 47 of the 50 markets in which it opened;[29] its strongest openings were the United Kingdom with $19.3 million, Germany with $12.4 million, South Korea with $8.5 million, Australia with $7.3 million, and China with $5.5 million. The Chinese opening was the fourth-biggest opening to date for the country. Other international performances included $3.4 million in Brazil and $3.1 million in Taiwan.[28] In Hong Kong, the film opened in first place with $1.3 million, averaging $37,300 across the 35 venues.[30] Hancock will open in France, Mexico, and Russia on the weekend of July 11 2008.[28] The film's overall gross for its opening five-day weekend worldwide is $185.6 million.[29] As of July 9 2008, Hancock has grossed $112,359,061 in the United States and Canada and and $78,635,353 in other territories for a worldwide total of $190,994,414.[31]

Critical reception

Hancock has received mainly poor to average reviews from film critics.[32][23][25] Rotten Tomatoes reported that 36% of critics gave the film positive write-ups, based upon a sample of 151, with an average score of 5.3/10.[33] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 49, based on 37 reviews.[32]

Some critics reported that the film was a jumble of ideas that, despite starting well, did not fully deliver the edgy satire the subject matter promised, with a general consensus forming that it suffered from a weak story and poor execution.[24][33] Todd McCarthy of Variety felt that the film's premise was undermined by the execution. McCarthy believed the concept ensured the film was "amusing and plausible" for its first half, but that the second half was full of illogical story developments and missed opportunities.[34] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter said that the opening established the premise well, but that the film came undone when it began to alternate between comedy and tragedy, and introduced a backstory for Hancock that didn't make sense. He said it rewrote its own internal logic in order to pander to its audience.[35] Stephen Hunter in The Washington Post said it had begun with promise, but that the change in tone partway through was so abrupt that the film did not recover.[36] Jim Schembri of The Age said the change in direction was "an absolute killer story twist",[37] and David Denby of The New Yorker said it lifted the film to a new level by supplementing the jokes with sexual tension and emotional power.[38]

Jim Schembri said Berg's direction helped to sell Hancock's "well-drawn" backstory,[37] Todd McCarthy said the gritty visual approach adopted by Berg did not mesh well with the "vulgar goofiness" of certain scenes,[34] and Stephen Farber said that Berg's frantic direction compounded the storytelling errors.[35] Stephen Hunter said that what was supposed to be a dark comedy and subversive satire was played straight by the director, who he said had not understood that the shifting tone and plot twists were meant to be humorous.[36] David Denby said Berg's style—especially his use of close-ups—was intended to showcase "genuine actors at work",[38] and Manohla Dargis of The New York Times said Berg had taken Hancock to heart and brought gravity to the film.[39]

David Denby said Smith's performance as Hancock was in contrast to his performances in his other films. He said, "For the first time in his life, Will Smith doesn’t flirt with the audience... he stays in character as a self-hating lonely guy."[38] Stephen Hunter said Smith—and his co-stars—had misunderstood the material in the same manner as Berg. He added that the examination of Smith's character came across at first as an examination of "phenomenally gifted" black sporting superstars who were "marginalized", "dehumanized" and exploited as a product by society.[36] Manohla Dargis was struck by Theron's performance, saying that she enabled Smith to deepen the film's emotional complexity.[39] Todd McCarthy said that Smith's "attitude-laden quips" helped to carry the film's superior first half, and that all three leads performed capably, but he said no opportunity was offered for the supporting characters to register.[34] Roger Ebert writing in the Chicago Sun Times praised the three leads, saying that Smith avoided playing Hancock "as a goofball" and instead portrayed him as a more subtle and serious character.[40] Stephen Farber said that Hancock was a good showcase for the leads, saying that Smith shone in a film that was only sporadically worthy of his performance.[35]

Jim Schembri concluded that the film was "refreshing, savvy, fun and fast". He said it managed to mix comedy and action successfully, and that the drama came across as surprisingly genuine.[37] Stephen Farber believed the extended development of the film had reduced its quality, but said the visual effects were "stellar" and showed wit.[35] McCarthy praised the effects, but said the film was "both overwrought and severely undernourished."[34] Roger Ebert said the film was "a lot of fun",[40] and Manohla Dargis concluded that it was "unexpectedly satisfying". She said that while it faltered and felt rushed towards its end, it had an emotional complexity and "raggedness" that spoke with sincerity about essential human vulnerabilities.[39] Stephen Hunter concluded that Hancock was ultimately "indigestible".[36]

References

  1. ^ 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)
  2. ^ a b Linder, Brian (2008-06-05). "Preview: Hancock". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Ganley, Doug (2008-07-01). "Will Smith: 'I was scared' of flying". CNN. Turner Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ 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)
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ 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)
  8. ^ 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)
  9. ^ 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)
  10. ^ 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)
  11. ^ 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)
  12. ^ 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)
  13. ^ a b c Rea, Steven (2008-06-29). "On Movies: Unheroic superhero appealed to director". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Holdings. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b Anderson, John (2008-06-29). "Will Smith plays a boozy superhero in 'Hancock'". Newsday. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "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)
  16. ^ "Domestic film: In production". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ 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)
  19. ^ 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)
  20. ^ 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)
  21. ^ 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)
  22. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (2008-07-03). "'Hancock' dressed in 4K". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b Gorman, Steve (2008-07-02). ""Hancock" poised to extend Hollywood hot streak". Reuters. The Thomson Corporation. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ a b Friedman, Josh (2008-07-02). "'Hancock' must battle weak reviews and strong competition". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ a b McClintock, Pamela (2008-07-02). "'Hancock' a box office hero". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ McClintock, Pamela (2008-07-06). "'Hancock' a holiday box office hero". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Hsu, Tiffany (2008-07-07). "'Hancock' a signature opening for Will Smith". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ a b c McNary, Dave (2008-07-06). "'Hancock' exerts its Will overseas". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ a b Segers, Frank (2008-07-06). "'Hancock' tops overseas boxoffice". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Frater, Patrick (2008-07-07). "'Hancock' a hero in Hong Kong". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Hancock (2008)". Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo, LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  32. ^ a b "Hancock (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  33. ^ a b "Hancock Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  34. ^ a b c d McCarthy, Todd (2008-06-24). "Hancock". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-06-25. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ a b c d Stephen Farber (2008-06-24). "Film Review: Hancock". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-06-25. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ a b c d Stephen Hunter (2008-07-02). "Man of Bent Steel". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2008-07-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/01/AR2008070102882.html" ignored (help)
  37. ^ a b c Jim Schembri (2008-07-03). "Hancock review". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2008-07-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ a b c David Denby (2008-07-04). "Desperate Men". The New Yorker. Advance Publications. Retrieved 2008-07-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ a b c Manohla Dargis (2008-07-02). "Able to Leap Tall Buildings, Even if Hung Over". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-07-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ a b Roger Ebert (2008-06-30). "Hancock review". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved 2008-07-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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