“A Not So Super Hero”
“Hancock is a movie, now out on DVD, that focuses on a different kind of super hero – a not so heroic one. This makes the film stand out along with some other elements. Such as when you have a movie that stars Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman the emphasis is going to be on the acting as well as the action. There are a lot of special effects, explosions, fights and car chases but the heart of the movie comes from the acting talent of the stars.
Smith plays John Hancock, a man with superhuman powers who doesn’t use his skills in the best way. Even when he is working to capture the bad guys or to right some other kind of wrong he makes mistake after mistake which ends up with the public hating him. He is in need of a good PR man and that is exactly what he gets when his path crosses that of Ray Embrey (Bateman).
Ray knows instinctively how to fix Hancock’s problems. He mounts a campaign to change his image and to make him the superhero he was born to be. This includes getting him off the booze and cleaning up his mouth. Ray’s wife Mary (Theron) doesn’t seem to care much for Hancock but their son Aaron (Jae Head) idolizes him.
Things get even more complicated when Hancock finds himself attracted to Mary. This attraction leads to even more revelations about who and what Hancock is. The audience gets one surprise after another.
All three stars are totally into their roles and make the audience believe even the wildest aspects of their lives. Director Peter Berg lets it all play out in a way that is entertaining and informative. You have to use your head in order to absorb it all, but the plot is believable in a fantasy kind of way.
Will Smith is one of Hollywood’s few mega-stars. He can seemingly do no wrong in his choice of roles. This time out he chose to play a superhero, but one with a twist. He is totally convincing in the action and the acting requirements.
Theron and Bateman are perfectly cast opposite him. They make a trio of talent that is hard to beat. This is not a movie for the kiddies. The language discourages that potential audience. But for those looking for something a step beyond the typical action film, this is a good DVD to see. Will Smith flies and fights, but the selling point is how he inhabits the character totally.
Video Interview: Andrew
Stanton - Director of "WALL-E"
Probably more suitable for the smaller kids is “Wall-E,” another animated film from Disney/Pixar. “Wall-E” follows in the tradition of “Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story,” and “The Incredibles.” It is a beautifully and skillfully created film that has a strong ecological message which is a benefit and a detriment to the entertainment value of the movie. A strong message is delivered but it beats you over the head a million times, or so it seems.
The plot focuses on an earth of the future totally without human life. Mankind has used up all of earth’s resources and has fled the planet leaving behind junk and waste. Robots have been assigned the task of stacking up the junk in neat, tall piles. Most of them have long since stopped functioning but one is still at the job. Its name is Wall-E, an acronym for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth Class.
Wall-E passes his days doing his job and watching a VCR tape of “Hello Dolly.” His favorite scene is the musical number “Put On Your Sunday Best.” He also likes “It Only Takes A Moment” which is more romantic. This musical and a cockroach he befriends are the two pleasures of Wall-E’s life.
One day a spaceship lands and a robot is sent out to search for life. Wall-E names her “Eve” and follows her from place to place. They finally develop a friendship and Wall-E presents her with a plant he has found. Once she has the plant Eve is recalled to the spaceship and taken back to the mother ship where the humans live. Wall-E tags along.
There are stretches and stretches in this film where there is no verbal communication at all. It is all beeps and screeches. After the initial fun of watching Wall-E the movie gets a little tedious. Once Wall-E and Eve get to the mothership things pick up – some.
The message in “Wall-E” about humans wasting the resources of this planet is a good one, but it is a bit preachy. Because it is so message oriented there is very little emotional impact in the story. We are amused by Wall-E and Eve but we don’t identify with them. They are after all non-human beings.
Kids will enjoy much of “Wall-E” but may get tired in the middle. Of course you could say the same for adults. It is a well made movie and it will certainly prove to be popular, but not as popular as some may think. A movie about a bleak future is not the stuff of happily ever after fairy tales. Since you can view it on DVD you might want to take a break about halfway through and give the kids a rest before moving on.
Also for the older kids is the “High School Musical DVD Game.” These are interactive games that only require a DVD and a remote in order to play. You get to sing along with the cast, learn new dances and compete, and play a game of basketball for the championship.
So gather some of your friends together and get started on the fun. Or if you are home alone you can still play and enjoy the games. These games only add to the fun experience of “High School Musical” so start playing today!
Last but certainly not least “Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season” is available on DVD and thereare seventeen episodes guaranteed to keep you smiling. Miley Cyrus was born to play this role and she does it up good. She is great at singing and at comedy.
Billy Ray Cyrus, Mitchell Musso and Emily Osment are also in the cast and they add a lot to the goings on. Plus there are some first rate guest stars like Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu. Wait! there’s more – bonus features that will give you more information about Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus.
So get this DVD now. It is “Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season.”
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