Hancock Blu-ray Review

"Hancock" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray represents a significant leap over its 2008 Blu-ray counterpart, courtesy of Sony's advanced transfer and encoding technologies. Filmed on 35mm and finished at a 4K resolution, this UHD release showcases the strength of High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, which elevates the movie's visual appeal beyond its earlier HD release. The HDR enhancement results in a warmer color palette, pushing flesh tones from rosy to redder shades, yet this shift accentuates the stylized look of the film rather than detracting from it. Detailing across the board is exceptional, from the nuanced textures of Hancock’s disheveled attire to the more sleek, later outfit changes. Skin details are remarkably pronounced, and even amidst the movie's varied lighting conditions, grain is handled with care, ensuring a consistent cinematic texture that parallels and sometimes surpasses the very fine grain found in other contemporaneous releases.

Comparison between the UHD and Blu-ray versions reveals nuanced improvements rather than drastic changes. While direct side-by-side shots may not showcase a substantial upgrade in texture or resolution, enhancements in color depth and detail are evident. Scenes display richer black levels and more refined shadow details, particularly in darker or dynamically lit environments, making the UHD version a definitive improvement over its Blu-ray predecessor. The presentation benefits from Sony's pioneering efforts in remastering content for 4K, reflecting a broader industry trend towards higher fidelity home cinema experiences.

Despite occasional grain spikes and instances of color shift towards teal and orange, "Hancock" on UHD significantly outperforms its original Blu-ray release in visual quality. The film's portrayal on UHD Blu-ray captures the essence of watching projected film, perhaps even surpassing the theatrical experience in some respects. This release evidences the potential of older film stock when carefully remastered for modern formats, providing a richer, more vibrant viewing experience that honors the original material while leveraging the latest in home entertainment technology.

The audio presentation of "Hancock" on its UHD Blu Ray release marks a significant leap forward in immersive audio experiences, courtesy of its newly minted Dolby Atmos track. Replacing the older Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix, this track is a feast for the ears with its adept usage of the added overhead channels in a 7.1.4 setup, enhancing the auditory sensation and enveloping the listener in a cocoon of sound that is both expansive and precisely placed. The soundtrack deftly balances the aggressive utilization of these channels with more subtle effects, ensuring a full-bodied experience. Action sequences, such as the movie's opening or the mid-movie bank shootout, showcase an extraordinary clarity and depth, with sounds moving fluidly across the soundscape, offering listeners a near-tactile sensation of the events on screen.

Notable is the track's handling of dialogue and music amid the complex auditory landscape. Voices remain clear and centrally focused, maintaining priority even amidst the most chaotic scenes, save for a few instances where they slightly muffle under intense action sequences. Music, from thumping rap tracks to the broader score, enjoys a crispness and width that contribute significantly to the movie's atmosphere, embracing the listener with an aggressive yet controlled soundstage. The Atmos mix also demonstrates exceptional prowess in rendering environmental sounds and effects with great detail and spatial accuracy, from the swoosh of Hancock's flights to immersive storm sequences, adding layers to the movie-watching experience that are as impressively nuanced as they are impactful.

However, perfection eludes this near-reference quality track in nuances and bass response under certain conditions. A desire for slightly more detailed sound effects to bring out nuanced chaos and a deeper bass in scenes demanding guttural impact is noted. Despite these minor quibbles, Sony's effort in upgrading "Hancock" to an Atmos track elevates it among the pantheon of exceptional home theater audio experiences, showcasing what is possible when catalog titles receive such meticulous attention to their audio mixes. This Atmos track not only redefines immersion for this film but sets a benchmark for how older films can be revitalized through modern audio technology.

The "Hancock" Blu-ray extras present a mixed bag that leans heavily on behind-the-scenes and making-of content, though it noticeably omits any commentary or deleted scenes. Despite a richly interactive new menu system offering easy navigation and the inclusion of both 2160p and Dolby Atmos options for selected highlight reels, the supplementary material clearly targets fans of the production process and special effects. The featurettes cover a range from the basic promotional "Superhumans: Making Hancock" to more engaging deep-dives like "Seeing the Future," which explores the pre-visualization processes in detail. However, some content like "Mere Mortals: Behind the Scenes with Dirty Pete" feels insubstantial, underscoring a potential future release with more depth. While the inclusion of a digital copy adds value, the absence of an extended or unrated film version on the UHD disc might disappoint purists. Overall, these extras serve as a decent, if not exhaustive, resource for fans interested in the movie's creation and special effects wizardry.

Extras included in this disc:

Hancock: A selection of highlight segments. Mary: A selection of highlight segments. Ray: A selection of highlight segments. Action: A selection of highlight segments offering a closer look into the movie's action sequences. Cast & Crew: A tab featuring still images and names. Superhumans: Making Hancock: Interviews with cast and crew discussing the production. Seeing the Future: An in-depth featurette on the film's pre-visualization process. Building a Better Hero: Focuses on John Dykstra's effects integration work. Home Life: Exploration of production and location design. Bumps and Bruises: Stunt work showcase. Suiting Up: Behind-the-scenes look at costume design. Mere Mortals: Behind the Scenes with Dirty Pete: A light-hearted featurette on director Peter Berg. Digital Copy: A digital version of the film for portable devices.

'Hancock' emerges onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, showcasing technological advancement with its remarkable Atmos sound and sharp UHD/HDR visuals, setting a benchmark for Sony's initial venture into the 4K Blu-ray territory (3840x2160p resolution). This release represents a significant leap, signifying the future of home cinema with enhanced picture quality and deep soundscapes, promising a remarkable viewing experience. However, while the technical prowess of the Blu-ray presentation piques interest, the movie itself struggles to leverage its ambitious concept effectively.

Set against the backdrop of high expectations due to its unique premise and star-studded cast led by Will Smith, 'Hancock' fumbles with its potential. The narrative introduces us to a disillusioned superhero, delving into themes of redemption amidst societal expectations. Initially, the film flirts with a satirical edge, especially in its portrayal of Hancock's carefree antics, yet it succumbs to clichéd plotlines and underdeveloped antagonists as it progresses. The subplots surrounding character redemption, led by Jason Bateman's earnest portrayal of a PR professional seeking to revitalize Hancock’s image, and the involvement of Charlize Theron in a superficial role do little to fortify the narrative complexities or thematic ambitions hinted at the onset.

Moreover, the attempt at humor and action seldom converges into a coherent style or tone, leading to an uneven cinematic experience that feels longer than its runtime. Despite the commendable attempt at blending superhero dynamics with a darker comedic lens, 'Hancock' ultimately disappoints as it navigates through its convoluted plot with lackluster villains and missed opportunities for substantial character development. The film's ambition for a nuanced superhero satire remains unfulfilled, overshadowed by the impressive technical quality of its Blu-ray presentation but marred by its content's execution and narrative dissatisfactions.

"Hancock," starring Will Smith, stands as a uniquely creative addition to the Action/Superhero genre. While it may not be universally acclaimed, its engaging storyline and Smith's outstanding performance ensure it remains a film that viewers will return to. The Ultra HD Blu-ray release elevates "Hancock" to new heights, offering an exceptional home viewing experience. With its Dynamic Atmos audio and film-quality visual presentation, this release sets a high standard. Despite "Pineapple Express" being cited for its pure cinematic beauty, "Hancock" on UHD Blu-ray is a showcase for those seeking the pinnacle in both audio and visual home entertainment experiences, highly recommended for a discerning audience.

However, this release is not without its faults. The disc menu has noted bugs, and the absence of new special features may disappoint some enthusiasts. Additionally, its premium pricing, especially for a title often spotted in discount bins, suggests that this UHD Blu-ray version of "Hancock" is best suited for die-hard fans of the film and early adopters of Ultra HD and Atmos technology. The visual and auditory enhancements are undeniably impressive, making "Hancock" appear better than ever before, yet these upgrades might not justify the investment for every viewer.

In conclusion, the Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Hancock" offers a substantial upgrade in both sound and picture quality, marking it as a noteworthy addition to any collection, especially for aficionados of the genre and admirers of Will Smith's work. Despite the pitfalls related to menu functionality and special features, this edition stands out for its technical excellence. It is a product primarily aimed at enthusiasts willing to overlook its premium cost for an enhanced viewing experience of a film that, while not universally beloved, provides an enjoyable and unique take on the superhero narrative.