Hancock: Past Paper Textual Analysis

The extract is from the film ‘Hancock’ (Director: Peter Berg, 2008).

We are in Los Angeles. Hancock is a superhero and a drunk. He is very rude and unpopular. His friend Ray has been trying to teach him to be more polite. He thinks Hancock should say ‘Good job’ to the police so they like him more. He has persuaded Hancock to accept going to prison to pay for the damage he has caused.

Characters in the Extract

• Hancock
• Red The lead bank robber. He wears a mask and holds the switch for the bombs. 
• Police Sergeant Is in charge of the police at the bank.
• Policewoman Is trapped behind a police car.

Answer all three questions:

1. Explain two ways in which the narrative (the characters and events) in the extract fits the action adventure genre. Use examples from the extract.  [10 marks]

2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:

• soundtrack
• editing
• mise-en-scène
• camerawork.

Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

3. Discuss the representations in the extract. Refer to stereotypes in your answer.

Use examples from the extract.
You might consider the representation of:

• gender
  
• race and nationality
  
• the big city
  
• criminals
  
• superheroes.  [20 marks]

Task: Read through these tips for how to write an effective Q3 answer and then attempt your own answers in your book.

When approaching the exam questions you need to identify the stereotypes that are being explored in the clip. To gain full marks, you need to either discuss the stereotyping of one group in lots of sophisticated detail or discuss the representation of a range of social groups seen in the clip in less detail.

Q1: State two clearly different generic conventions using terminology. Here you should focus on the heroic qualities of the protagonist and the villainous qualities of the antagonists, the conflict, the spectacular explosions and the peril to gain full marks.

Q2: Always give two or more examples for each of the four textual analysis bullet points. 
For soundtrack, you could comment on the different uses of music and the sound effects of gunshots and explosions.
For editing, you could comment on the use of CGI and establish an understanding of post-production effects rather than just referring to them as generalised 'Special effects'. You could look at the effect of the use of slow motion, the cross cutting between Hancock and the bank robbers, and the use of shot-reverse shot. Good answers will comment on the abrupt transition to the bank robbery scene.
For mise en scène, there is costume to focus on such as the superhero suit, the lighting, the guns, masks, bombs, explosions, and the detonator. Always pick examples to link to connotative effects.
For camerawork, you could pick out examples of the hand-held camerawork, the close ups, the tracking shots, the aerial shots, the whip pan, and the sudden zooms and then comment on the director's intentions.

Q3: In the final question, students gain marks for spotting any of the following stereotypes or anti-stereotypes (you can also call this a counter-stereotype):

• the stereotypical representation of violence as a male activity and representation of a male hero role
• the representation of Black and White Americans as heroes and a White American as the villain
• the differing representations of women – Mary appears to be defined by her looks, whereas the policewoman is actively putting her life in danger
• the negative stereotypical representation of the bank robbers as uncaring and greedy
• the stereotypical equation of heroism with mature adulthood and lack of disability or disfigurement
• the stereotypical representation of the city as a place of danger
• the representation of the Police as brave mixed race and mixed gender workers

You also need to explore current ideologies that are prevalent in western culture or society. This means you need to show an understanding of how we see certain groups as a society and whether the clip confirms or challenges our understanding of how these groups fit in to society. State whether stereotypes are shown as negative or positive in the clip by considering where the director is positioning the audience (think carefully about who's side you as the viewer is on).

It is vital that you refer closely to the extract and use plenty of examples from the clip to support what you are discussing in your answer.

The best answers will analyse gender stereotyping in the male superhero and female 'damsel in distress'. Discuss the policewoman's ambiguous representation as both stereotypically vulnerable but at the same time an anti-stereotypical representation of female activity and power. What about the anti- stereotypical representation of an African-American hero, but also question the rarity of such a representation in the contemporary media. Hollywood often portrays Americans and heroism as a natural thing so you can discuss media stereotyping in this way.