On DVD: ‘Hancock’ is a different type of lifesaver
He’s drunk, belligerent and a superhero who does more harm than good when he’s out saving the world. Will Smith plays the mysterious title character in “Hancock” (Sony Pictures, available now), a cranky superhero with no memory of his past and a really bad public image.
When he saves Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) from being flattened by a train, the public relations specialist decides to reciprocate the favor by giving Hancock an image overhaul. Complicating matters is Ray’s gorgeous wife, played by Charlize Theron.
In case you don’t realize it already, this is a superhero movie of a different animal. Hancock is politically incorrect and unlikable; the movie has a score that mixes the blues and hip-hop; and the story delves into the human condition as much as it does the superhuman condition.
You can buy Hancock as a single-disc DVD in either the theatrical or unrated version ($28.96); a two-disc unrated special edition ($34.95); and on Blu-ray ($39.96).
All three versions come with the featurettes “Superhumans: The Making of Hancock,” a look at the “most famously unproduced script in Hollywood” (be warned, if you haven’t seen the film, that this contains spoilers); “Building a Better Hero,” with effects whiz John Dykstra; “Bumps and Bruises,” more on effects and stunts; and “Mere Mortals: Behind the Scenes with ‘Dirty Pete,’ ” a segment on director Peter Berg, who is often seen fiddling with a Rubik’s cube on set and is compared to being like Hancock — without the superpowers. Best of all is the well-done “Seeing the Future,” which takes seven scenes and shows Berg and crew members discussing the “pre-vis” process (basically computer-generated storyboards) and shots from the finished sequence.
The multidisc sets have both the theatrical and unrated versions of movie, a digital copy of the film and the featurettes “Home Life” and “Suiting Up.”
• Another dark action thriller, this one dealing with mere mortals who have superhumanlike skills, is “Wanted” starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. It’s available Tuesday (Universal) as a single-disc DVD ($29.98); a two-disc special edition ($34.98); Blu-ray ($39.98); and as a collector’s set with a photo book of assassins, collectible postcards and acrylic frame motion 3-D film cell ($64.98 standard DVD, $69.98 Blu-ray).
McAvoy, the young Scottish actor who has been so sweet and affecting in period dramas such as “Atonement” and “Becoming Jane,” is inspired casting here as he evolves from a wimpy accountant with panic attacks to a well-toned assassin. (McAvoy is also pretty funny in his many interviews contained in the bonus features, especially when he says, “I’m not used to seeing someone like myself in these roles.”)
Jolie plays Fox, another assassin who trains him in the way of curving bullets and death-defying stunts. Morgan Freeman is the enigmatic head of a secret society of assassins called the Fraternity.
Go along with the thrill ride on this one. The stunts are so out of this world that they often border on the absurd — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t stunning to watch. On that note, there are plenty of featurettes on the multidisc sets that give background on the ground-breaking stunts, many of them called “real-time stunts,” meaning that was indeed McAvoy and Jolie you see in the car that careens in the air, somersaults and flies dangerously close to the head of a police officer.
Other extras include an extensive look at the cast and characters; “The Origins of ‘Wanted:’ Bringing the Graphic Novel to Life,” a video portrait of visionary director Timur Bekmambetov; a making-of the video game; and a music video.
Exclusive Blu-ray extras include an alternate opening; the “U-Control” feature that allows viewers to watch the movie and get more information on the making of the film; a chance to make your own “Wanted” commentary; plus “BD-Live.”
Coming Tuesday
“Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$&% Is Santa ? ” (Warner Home Video), “Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition” ( Warner), “Curious George: Leads the Band and Other Musical Mayhem” (Universal), “The Day the Earth Stood Still: Special Edition” (Fox), “Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear” (Warner), “Lower Learning” (Anchor Bay), “The Man Called Flintstone” (Warner), “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (Disney), “Step Brothers” (Sony) and “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” (Fox).
Blu-ray: “Austin Powers Collection” (Warner) and “The X-Files: Fight the Future” (Fox).•
DVD Extra
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON: This seven-disc collection has 22 episodes from the 1978-79 season starring Bill Murray, Jane Curtin and Day Aykroyd, among others. Archival interview footage is included. ($69.98, Universal. Available Tuesday.)
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