Review of Bright (2017) by John C — 03 Jan 2018

It is surprising that something along this premise has not been done in such a large way in the past. Placing the usual fantasy characters and elements in modern day seems like an easy idea with various directions of creativity to pursue.

However, while Bright sets up the world and characters in a clear and understandable fashion, it does not follow through on the smaller and more personal level. The movie has the main focus in the wrong direction, placing too much emphasis on the already obvious themes and moral, when it should be focusing on the growing dynamic between the two leads.

While there are moments that attempt to show a growing friendship between the unlikely pair, the scenes are quickly cut short, either by an obligatory action scene or Will Smith's character not accepting his development in an natural and growing manner and constantly bickering.

To the film's credit, it has a far higher production value than most of the Netflix products, providing some decent special effects and a welcoming use of makeup and set design as opposed to heavy computer effects.

While the message the film attempts to get across is well intended and very apparent, there is less creativity in developing the how and why the humans and orcs are at odds with each other, relying on heavy expositional dialogue and obvious foreshadowing that take away most of the suspense and constrict the film into a generic buddy cop film.

Even the villains of the film are generic and do not provide enough of a presence to be considered intimidating or a threat that needs to be stopped. With the story being so shortened and quickly explained, it is apparent that this idea should have been a Netflix television series rather than a two hour film.

This way it could have taken its time introducing the characters, allowing them to interact and grow to give the audience a connection to them, and give a better understanding of the plot without rushing through it.

Overall, Bright had the means to make an interesting, colorful, and unique story, but instead wasted its potential with a focus on the spectacle rather than the intimate character interactions that would have amounted to a better film.