Review: "Surf's Up" Has Impressive Animation

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 136 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux

Surf’s Up (2007) – computer animation
Running time: 85 minutes (1 hour, 25 minutes)
MPAA – PG for mild language and some rude humor
DIRECTORS: Ash Brannon and Chris Buck
WRITERS: Don Rhymer and Ash Brannon and Chris Buck and Christopher Jenkins; from a story by Christopher Jenkins and Christian Darren with Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
PRODUCER: Christopher Jenkins
EDITORS: Ivan Bilancio and Nancy Frazen
Academy Award nominee

ANIMATION/COMEDY/SPORTS with elements of drama

Starring: (voices) Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder, James Woods, Diedrich Bader, Mario Cantone, Brian Posehn, and Dana Belben

The subject of this movie review is Surf’s Up, a 2007 computer-animated film directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck. The film is a mock documentary or “mockumentary” (with This is Spinal Tap being the most famous example). It was one of three 2007 films to receive best animated feature Oscar nominations (a category Ratatouille won).

A documentary film crew follows a young penguin who loves to surf in Surf’s Up, the computer-animated film from Sony Pictures Animation (Open Season) which takes the notion that penguins invented surfing.

Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) is not like the other penguins in Shiverpool, Antarctica. He’d rather surf than process fish all day. Opportunity arrives when he talks his way into the Big Z Memorial Surf-Off, an international surf tournament named in memory of Cody’s idol, the legendary surfing penguin, Zeke “Big Z” Topanga.

When Cody arrives on Pen Gu Island, he realizes that he doesn’t really fit in very well because he is a small wave surfer in a big wave event. He quickly earns the ire of a mouthy surfing promoter, a hedgehog named Reggie Belafonte (James Woods), and the 9-time reigning champion, the utterly arrogant penguin Tank “The Shredder” Evans (Diedrich Bader). Cody does manage to make a fast friend in Chicken Joe (Jon Heder), a surfing rooster from Michigan, and also attract the attention of sexy lifeguard, Lani Aliikai (Zooey Deschanel). However, it’s when he meets the mysterious Geek (Jeff Bridges), a reclusive penguin who lives on the other side of the island that Cody learns there is more to discover in surfing than just how to win a tournament.

Although on the surface it resembles leftovers from the Oscar-winning computer-animated hit, Happy Feet (2006), Surf’s Up is actually a good film on its own. It is an entertaining comedy that not only has some really cool surfing scenes, but also has a nice message about friendship. Shia LaBeouf and Jeff Bridges have excellent chemistry, which may be due to the fact that the voice actors recorded their dialogue together in one room – a rarity in feature film animation. As the burnt-out, but wise teacher, Geek, and his stubborn pupil, Cody, Bridges and LaBeouf respectively add solid dramatic weight and traction to the characters’ relationship with their voice performances. Each actor brings both gentle sarcasm and humor to their roles, but they both know when to add a somber touch when the story calls for it.

As for the rest of the cast: Jon Heder manages to seem fresh, although even here he is pretty much playing the same kind of goofy dude part he’s been repeatedly playing for the last three years. Zooey Deschanel is always a nice presence – somehow managing to add a touch of sweetness to any film in which she appears. James Woods is shrill and his character, Reggie Belafonte, is way more annoying than he needs to be.

The aforementioned surfing scenes are surprisingly good – a testament to how supernaturally skilled these programmers, software guys, and animators who make computer-animated films are. That they make the surfing look so good with penguins on the surf boards adds to the amazement.

6 of 10
B

Saturday, November 10, 2007

NOTES:
2008 Academy Awards: 1nomination: “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Ash Brannon and Chris Buck)

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"Open Season" is a Good Buddy Comedy

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 49 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux


Open Season (2006)
Running time: 96 minutes (1 hour, 36 minutes)
MPAA – PG for some rude humor, mild action, and brief language
DIRECTORS: Roger Allers and Jill Culton with Anthony Stacchi
WRITERS: Steve Bencich & Ron J. Friedman and Nat Maudlin; from a screen story by Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi; from an original story by Steve Moore and John Carls
PRODUCER: Michelle Murdocca
EDITORS: Ken Solomon and Pam Ziegenhagen

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY and ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring: (voices) Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinise, Debra Messing, Billy Connolly, Jon Favreau, Patrick Warburton, Gordon Tootoosis, Jane Krakowski, Georgia Engel, and Cody Cameron

Open Season is Sony Pictures Animation’s first computer-animated (or 3D animation) feature film. This fish-out-water, reluctant buddy movie is a likeable story, but the animation is truly the star here.

Boog (Martin Lawrence), a domesticated grizzly bear, lives the good life in the tranquil town of Timberline with his kindhearted surrogate mother, Beth (Debra Messing), who rescued Boog when he was a cub. One day, Boog rescues Eliot (Ashton Kutcher), a mule deer with one antler missing, from the clutches of Shaw (Gary Sinise), the local law breaking, fanatical hunter. Eliot follows Boog home to his cushy digs where he lives with Beth, but this reluctant new friendship lands Boog in a lot of trouble. Before he knows it, Boog is left out in the wild, completely unprepared to live in the real world. Suddenly Boog and Eliot are forced into a partnership, and they have to survive the start of open season or they and all the forest animals may end up mounted on some hunter’s wall.

With 2006 being a busy year for 3D animated films, Open Season stands out for two reasons. First, the voice performances are very good, in particular Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, and Gary Sinise. Lawrence mixes gruff charm, a slight ego, and a genial self-effacing attitude that makes Boog come across as a sort of everyman who is simply looking to enjoy his comfy life without making too many waves. Kutcher’s Eliot is the classic manic funnyman who is always in trouble and manages to drag an unsuspecting stranger down with him. Sinise’s Shaw is a great comic villain, and he gives a fine performance by making his recognizable voice unrecognizable.

The animation is very good, and immediately had my attention. The character motion is fluid, and the movement of objects within the sets (car chases, floods, battle scenes, etc.) is spectacular. Sony Pictures Animation manages to duplicate the “squash and stretch” effect (think classic Looney Tunes and MGM cartoon shorts) of DreamWorks’ Madagascar with the kind of lush colors Pixar delivers in films like Finding Nemo and Cars. The characters are rubbery and flexible, and that adds to the comedy, especially in big action scenes (like the “dam break” and the battle between the forest animals and hunters). Open Season’s color palette perfectly recreates a lush autumn forest and the comforting earth tones of the great outdoors.

Open Season makes the buddy action comedy seem new by setting it as a delightful animal fable with lots of sassy banter and gentle innuendo. The animation captures the eye because it imitates the best of earlier 3D cartoon features, but also manages to be its own new thing. The characters are endearing, and Boog and Eliot make an excellent animation comedy pair, but this beautiful animation with its idiosyncratic visual style is something to remember.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Wil Wheaton Joins Wizard World Austin's Star Trek TNG Reunion

'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' 'Stand By Me' Star Wil Wheaton Added To Wizard World Austin Comic Con Lineup

Eighth Cast Member To Join 25-Year 'TNG' Reunion At Austin Convention Center, October 26-28

Wil Wheaton, who starred as a teenager in the classic coming-of-age film Stand By Me in 1986 and a year later earned an important role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” will appear at next month's Wizard World Austin Comic Con. Wheaton joins seven other “TNG” cast members in a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the start of the landmark series, Oct. 26-28 at the Austin Convention Center.

Wheaton portrayed Wesley Crusher, son of Dr. Beverly Crusher (played by Gates McFadden) in the show. Other fellow “TNG” cast members scheduled for Austin include Patrick Stewart (Capt. Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi) and Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data).

Wheaton is also known for popular roles as Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers (1991) and portraying himself on the series “The Big Bang Theory.” He is an avid blogger, with frequent postings at Wil Wheaton Dot Net and WWdN: In Exile.

In addition to Wheaton and the rest of the “TNG” crew, top celebrities scheduled to attend include Eliza Dushku (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” True Lies), WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles, Weird Science), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Cliffhanger) and the Boondock Saints trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, among others.

Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, Oct. 28, is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.


About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 - December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
May 30 - June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Judd Apatow, "The Avengers" to Receive Honors

16th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, presented by The Los Angeles Times, is pleased to announce that writer/director/producer Judd Apatow will be given the “Hollywood Comedy Award”; actor John Hawkes will receive the "Hollywood Breakout Performance Award"; actress Quvenzhane Wallis will receive the "New Hollywood Award"; cinematographer Wally Pfister, A.S.C. will receive the “Hollywood Cinematographer Award”; and Disney and Marvel Entertainment’s “The Avengers,” directed by Josh Whedon, produced by Kevin Feige and with visual effects from VFX supervisors Janek Sirrs and Jeff White will receive the “Hollywood Visual Effects Award.”

"We look forward to celebrating these exceptionally talented filmmakers and artists for their outstanding work and creative vision," said Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Awards.

The Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 22, 2012. The event honors cherished stars and up-and-coming talent, and traditionally kicks off the film awards season with the biggest stars and top industry executives in attendance.

"We are very proud to be the first stop of the awards season. In the last nine years, a total of 85 Oscar nominations and 32 Oscars were given to the honorees of the Hollywood Film Awards," said de Abreu.

Last year's awards show reached a total TV audience of more than 41 million media impressions, in addition to more than 300 million online and print readers' impressions.

Aside from celebrating accomplishments on screen, the Hollywood Film Awards established the "Hollywood Gives Back" program to expand and continue highlighting and assisting important local and national charities to raise funds. Over the years, the Hollywood Film Awards has contributed to such charities as the following: The Art of Elysium, Artists For Human Rights, Artists for Peace and Justice, MatchingDonors.com, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the Enough Project, and Variety The Children's Charity of So. CA, among others.

Further, the Hollywood Film Awards selects individuals to be recipients of their "Hollywood Humanitarian Awards" in recognition of their contribution to the betterment of their communities or society at large. Prior recipients include Nobel Peace Prize winner and ex-President of East Timor, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, Father Rick Frechette, and actor and activist Sean Penn.


ABOUT JUDD APATOW
Audiences will get to experience Judd Apatow's next film, "This Is 40," when it is released by Universal Pictures on December 21, 2012. An original comedy that expands upon the story of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from the blockbuster hit "Knocked Up," we will see first-hand how they are dealing with their current state of life. The film also stars John Lithgow, Megan Fox, Iris Apatow, Maude Apatow, Jason Segel, Melissa McCarthy, Robert Smigel, Charlene Yi and Albert Brooks.

Initially aspiring to become a professional comedian, Apatow eventually stopped performing in favor of writing. After writing on a few award shows, cable specials, "The Larry Sanders Show" and "The Ben Stiller Show" (which he co-created), Apatow served as an executive producer on NBC's critically-acclaimed "Freaks and Geeks." He then made his feature-film debut as a director with 2005's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." Co-written by Apatow and the film's star, Steve Carell, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" opened at No. 1 at the box office. In 2007, he directed, wrote and produced "Knocked Up," which grossed more than $200 million internationally. He followed this up by producing the hit comedies "Superbad," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Pineapple Express" and writing and directing 2009's "Funny People." Additional producing credits include "The Cable Guy," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," and "Get Him to the Greek."

In 2011, he produced the most successful R-rated female comedy of all time, "Bridesmaids," which received Oscar® nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), as well as numerous other awards. Apatow is currently in production on the HBO series "Girls," and recently produced "The Five-Year Engagement," the latest comedy from director Nicholas Stoller.

ABOUT JOHN HAWKES
John Hawkes has been working non-stop since his critically acclaimed performance as Teardrop in "Winter's Bone," the role which earned him an Independent Spirit Award win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Next, Hawkes will be seen in Ben Lewin's "The Sessions," the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined - at age 38 - to lose his virginity. He also recently completed production on "Lincoln," "Arcadia" and "The Playroom."

Hawkes' additional film credits include "Higher Ground," "Contagion," "Martha Marcy May Marlene," "Me and You and Everyone We Know," "American Gangster," "Miami Vice," "Identity," "The Perfect Storm," "Small Town Saturday Night," "Hardball," "Wristcutters: A Love Story," "The Amateurs," "From Dusk Till Dawn," and "A Slipping-Down Life." On the small screen, Hawkes starred as Sol Star in HBO's critically lauded drama "Deadwood" and now plays Danny McBride's brother Dustin in the comedy "Eastbound and Down."

ABOUT QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS
At the age of five, Quvenzhané Wallis, a Louisiana native, was cast as the lead in Benh Zeitlin's critically acclaimed feature film "Beasts of the Southern Wild." Her portrayal of Hushpuppy, a young girl growing up in the flood plagued bayous of Louisiana, is being recognized as one of the best performances by a child actor in over a decade. The film went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and the Caméra d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Wallis recently wrapped production on Steve McQueen's highly anticipated film "Twelve Years A Slave," in which she will play the daughter of a man kidnapped from New York City in the early 1800s and sold into slavery.

ABOUT WALLY PFISTER, A.S.C.
Wally Pfister's ascent as a director of photography began when he shot Christopher Nolan's "Memento" in 1999. That work earned him a Spirit award nomination for cinematography. Since then, he has joined the ranks of the top Hollywood cinematographers, earning 3 Academy Award nominations, and one win for his work. The first nomination came for 2005s "Batman Begins," for which he was also honored, by his peers, with an American Society of Cinematographers Award nomination. The following year, he was nominated for his cinematography work on "The Prestige," and in 2009, for Christopher Nolan's record-breaking blockbuster, "The Dark Knight." He won his Oscar in 2010 for "Inception" also directed by Nolan. He also served as director of photography on the thriller, "Insomnia," for Nolan, "The Italian Job," directed by F. Gary Gray, as well as "Laurel Canyon," and "Moneyball". Films that Pfister has photographed on have grossed over three-billion dollars worldwide. In between feature films, Pfister also works as Director/Cameraman on Commercials. He is currently in pre-production on his feature film Directorial debut, which is due to begin filming in early 2013.

ABOUT “THE AVENGERS" AND VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISORS JANET SIRRS AND JEFF WHITE
Janek Sirrs is a respected VFX veteran, whose credits include The Matrix, I am Legend, Batman Begins, and Iron Man 2. He won the Best Visual Effects Oscar for the Matrix and was nominated for Iron Man 2.

Jeff White joined ILM in 2002 as a creature technical director. He has a Masters of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and has spent the last 5 years as Associate VFX Supervisor on the Transformers franchise. The Avengers marks his first time at the helm as Visual Effects Supervisor.

Happy Birthday, Jay

Hey, it's your first birthday as a proud papa!

"Frankenweenie: an Electrifying Book" a Free iTunes Book

Disney Publishing Worldwide Lets Fans Go Behind-the-Scenes of Tim Burton’s New Animated Film Unveiling Frankenweenie: an Electrifying Book

Features Exclusive Art, Video, and Music into Disney’s First Book to Leverage Apple’s iBooks Author

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Publishing Worldwide announced today the release of Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book, based on Walt Disney Studios’ highly anticipated stop-motion animated film directed by Tim Burton, “Frankenweenie,” in theaters October 5, 2012. Capturing the creative process from concept to completion, the interactive book integrates videos, vibrant music, and original sketches to offer readers a fully immersive behind-the-scenes look into the making of the movie. Available on the iBookstore (http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/frankenweenie-electrifying/id557041056?mt=11), this book is Disney Publishing’s first to be created with Apple’s iBooks Author.

“We’re thrilled to give fans a look at how Tim Burton and his creative team brought Victor Frankenstein and Sparky to life in the town of New Holland,” said Lyle Underkoffler, vice president, Digital Media, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “Using iBooks Author, Disney Publishing was able to include more digital content than ever before—including previews of animated storyboards documenting the transition from sketch to screen.”

Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book incorporates a brief history of the 1984 live-action short film and details the upcoming full-length stop-motion animated feature, including a foreword by Academy Award®-winning actor Martin Landau (the voice of Mr. Rzykruski in the film) and introductions to over 200 resident puppets of New Holland (with a special introduction to Victor and Sparky), as well as a look into “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition,” now on tour.

A chapter on the film’s music includes previews of each track from the original motion picture score by Oscar®-nominated and GRAMMY®-winning composer Danny Elfman and from Frankenweenie Unleashed!, a 16-song compilation of music from and inspired by the film, featuring artists including Karen O, Neon Trees, and Kimbra. Both albums will be available from Walt Disney Records on September 25 and can be purchased directly from within the book.

Using Apple’s iBooks Author app, Disney Publishing was able to include video, audio, multi-touch, and 3D widgets to create a robust storytelling experience that enlightens “Frankenweenie” fans of all ages. Readers can watch interviews featuring producer Allison Abbate and executive producer Don Hahn and explore the art of stop-motion animation with Tim Burton, while younger fans can create their own “chalkboard collage” using the film’s characters.

“Thirty years after he first visualized 'Frankenweenie' as a student at CalArts, Tim Burton has finally made the movie he dreamed of making way back then,” said Martin Landau, voice of Mr. Rzykruski in the film. "The eBook reveals how a truncated, live-action version made by Tim three decades ago evolved into the 90-minute, black-and-white, stop-motion (Tim’s favorite animation process), 3D motion picture that he visualized all those years ago. It’s wonderful that Tim has managed to keep Victor and his friends young, energetic, and alive for 30 plus years."

In addition to the eBook, Disney Publishing Worldwide has released several print books in support of the feature film, including Frankenweenie: A Cinematic Storybook, Frankenweenie: A Novel, and Frankenweenie: A Monstrous Menagerie of Stickers! A graphic novel and a visual companion will also be available at retail in the coming months.

Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book is available for free exclusively on the iBookstore in 32 countries around the world.


ABOUT THE MOVIE
From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” was filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D. The talented voice cast includes: Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell and Winona Ryder.

Presented by Disney, “Frankenweenie” is directed by Tim Burton, produced by Tim Burton and Allison Abbate, from a screenplay by John August, based on a screenplay by Lenny Ripps, based on an original idea by Tim Burton. “Frankenweenie” releases in U.S. theaters on October 5, 2012.

ABOUT DISNEY PUBLISHING WORLDWIDE
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, with over 250 million children's books and over 400 million children's magazines sold each year. Disney Publishing Worldwide consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints including Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy, and Disney Libros in Spain. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey, and Donald Duck, as well as family titles in the U.S., which include Disney Princess and Phineas and Ferb. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English schools in China and a worldwide retail licensing program. DPW's digital products include best-selling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.

ABOUT DISNEY MUSIC GROUP
Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, and Disney Music Publishing. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, McClain Sisters, American Idol finalist Stefano, Coco Jones, R5, Lucy Hale, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Plain White T’s, Redlight King, Cherri Bomb, Bridgit Mendler, ZZ Ward, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as Avengers Assemble, Phineas and Ferb, Shake It Up, A.N.T. Farm, and TRON: Legacy.

Review: "Hancock" Fails to Be Special (Happy B'day, Will Smith)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 31 (of 2008) by Leroy Douresseaux

Hancock (2008)
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language
DIRECTOR: Peter Berg
WRITERS: Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan
PRODUCERS: Akiva Goldsman, James Lassiter, Michael Mann, and Will Smith
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tobias A. Schliessler
EDITOR: Colby Parker, Jr. and Paul Rubell
COMPOSER: John Powell

SUPERHERO/ACTION/COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, David Mattey, Maetrix Fitten, Thomas Lennon, Johnny Galecki, and Darrell Foster

The subject of this movie review is Hancock, a 2006 superhero film starring Will Smith in the title role. Directed by Peter Berg, the film is part action movie, comedy, and drama, as well as part superhero fantasy.

Will Smith’s new film, Hancock, is a special effects-heavy movie about a superhero who is a drunken, dangerously careless jerk. Instead of looking shiny and futuristic in a fancy costume, he looks like a skid row bum in thrift store rags, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When the story presents this hero’s very public disasters and later his public struggles to be a good guy, this film is quite good, but sadly, it’s not always that good.

John Hancock (Will Smith) is the only superhero on the planet. He lives and works in Los Angeles, and boy, is everywhere else very happy that L.A. is stuck with him. If great power comes with great responsibility, Hancock ain’t buying that notion. He’s edgy, sarcastic, and prone to abusing civilians. His well-intentioned heroics get the job done saving lives and stopping criminals, but the same heroics always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake.

Los Angelinos have finally had enough. As far as they are concerned, if Hancock can’t do the job right (i.e. without causing millions of dollars in damages every time he plays hero), he needs to go away. But Hancock isn't the kind of man who cares what other people think; then, one day he saves the life of struggling PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Batman). Grateful to be alive, Ray chooses to see his savior not as a menace, but as conflicted and misunderstood, so Ray convinces Hancock to let him embark on an image makeover of the hero. Hancock even sits down to a decent meal with Ray’s wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), and young son, Aaron (Jae Head). Hancock’s biggest obstacle, however, may be submitting to a prison sentence and finally facing both his demons and his past.

Peter Berg’s quasi-superhero film, Hancock, is at its best when the film presents Hancock fighting the war inside his head out in public. He’s adrift – doesn’t know who he is or remember from where he came. His life is a mess, so he’s messy on the job – literally tearing apart the city’s infrastructure and terrorizing the citizens. Watching those disasters are actually fun.

As fun as the action sequences and Hancock’s confrontations with the public are, the focus only on Hancock’s mental problems is not. It seems that somewhere along the line of developing this project, the filmmakers missed the point that watching Hancock interact with the public is great. When the film focuses on John Hancock’s origin (no spoilers here!) or features him alone, drinking and sulking about, it becomes a morose drama.

This great concept doesn’t exactly fail because of the shaky execution, but Hancock is a strange movie because half of it is a fun, high-concept superhero flick and the other half is a depressed superhero drama. It’s bizarre a situation. Will Smith is so good at creating this mentally, emotionally, and spiritually troubled super human that he also creates a somewhat unsatisfying hero that makes for a movie that is sometimes … well, unsatisfying.

Luckily Jason Bateman (who doesn’t make a bad move in this performance), as Ray Embrey, is so good at understanding what a movie needs at particular moment in the story. It’s the right facial expression, the perfect quip, or the best time to be serious. This movie is victorious when Smith’s Hancock and Bateman’s Embrey are onscreen together. Too bad Hancock doesn’t stick with that simple, yet highly entertaining formula.

6 of 10
B

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

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