Following the story of two cops in a world where humans and fantasy creatures live side by side, Bright is the tale of racial tensions between humans and orcs and the only Orc police officer ever in the middle. Oh and there is a race of magic wielding people looking to destroy the world that will test the partnership between Will Smith’s Daryl Ward and Joel Edgerton’s Jakoby.
Bright mixes your typical buddy cop premise with a dark fantasy setting well, I like the world building the film gives. Racial issues between the humans and fantasy creatures mirrors real life racial divides between different races in modern days. What the film lacks is that big time big film feel. I could have seen this in cinemas but I think it would have flopped like films such as Valerian. Will Smith was good in a slightly phoned in way. This is no Bad Boys and this partnership isn’t as tight as it should be, especially at the films conclusion. The action was okay, Will Smith is best in these kind of roles where action is key so this gives the film a plus.
Joel Edgerton is my standout in the film. His portrayal of an Orc who has always dream of being a police officer is funnily similar to the plight of Hopps in Zootopia while his struggle with being hated by his own kind and the force he has always wanted to be apart of is the more emotional aspects that keeps the film going for me.
Is this a classic? No and I don’t think the film is trying to be. Bright is totally a popcorn summer action film which didn’t make it to cinemas. If a follow up was to come up I would totally watch it and even with the slight negativity my review may give the film does have enough action and Will Smith comedy to enjoy as a whole.
Ian Simons Says….give it a watch!