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Bright

(David Ayer)




From the director of Suicide Squad comes a film starring a guy from Suicide Squad and some minor characters also from Suicide Squad about a Suicide Squa....never mind.

David Ayer and Will Smith are back with Netflix's big tentpole film of the year, Bright. Ever wondered what life would be like if we lived alongside Orcs, Fairies and Elves? Bright isn't too concerned with it, but it does serve as an interesting background to a story about two cops, Smith and Edgerton, who find a magical weapon that is capable of epic destruction. A magic wand is found and people from all over the city are willing to kill to get it. Smith and Edgerton now must protect it from thugs, cops and the wands original owner, or the city will fall into chaos.

Bright was a hard sell for me for a few reasons. Max Landis, the obnoxious and egotistical screenwriter is one of them, the other was how serious would I be able to take this film? Seeing Orcs with football jerseys, gold chains, toques and hanging out in the streets with a pimp walk is something that would come out of a parody. Yet Bright is completely serious in every aspect of its story telling. The allegorical elements here hit you over the head numerous times to the point of concussion. Racism exists. We are racist. The Orcs in this film represent the African American and Latino communities, while the Elves represent the white collar American. Everyone else is just in between.

The backdrop to Bright is interesting and could have been better explored. I feel as if this were a television series, it would be ripe for mining. Yet we are stuck with a 118 minute long film that tries to cram way too much in. The break neck pace of the film doesn't help either. We are not really given too much time to take in this world and breathe. We are given glimpses of it in the beginning with fairies being attracted to a bug zapper and how Elves live a lavish lifestyle in the inner city section, but the rest of the film barely touches upon this world. This to me was the biggest mistake this film made. You create this otherworldly place and don't use it to your advantage.

Orcs are looked at as lower class citizens. They chose the "evil" side thousands of years ago, it was the losing side and they have been paying for it ever since. "Don't judge me based on the decision of my ancestors" one Orcs says to Smith. Again, all this world building that is barely touched upon, which leaves us with an unfulfilled feeling. They just throw you into this world with little to no explanation as to why it is the way it is. A quick history lesson at the beginning would have helped this movie immensely.

Think of Bright as Lord of the Rings meets End of Watch. It is without a doubt a fantasy fairy tale and the characters acknowledge this, asking if they are in a prophecy. I guess when a film deals with magic wands, you have to be a little self aware. Ayer's direction is focused on the action and he puts you in the thick of it with Smith and Edgerton. Two cops; one human and one Orc, who don't really like each other. Immediately you question their loyalty to one another and ask if they can survive the night together.

Smith plays his usual self, a wise cracking, smooth talking, hero. He doesn't really try to give his character any real depth. He hates his partner, doesn't trust him. That's about it. His partner is Edgerton, an Orc. He is without a doubt, the best thing about this movie. He plays the character with extreme pathos and we immediately side with him due to his circumstances. Everyone hates him. Humans hate him because he's an Orc. Orcs hate him because he's a cop. They feel like he's betrayed his kind. He's alone in this world.

Ayer brings the action and tension to Bright and the story feels very confined to one aspect. Protect the wand. Everyone comes after it, so it's two against the world. That world by the way, would have been interesting to explore...did I mention that yet?