Bright

Stupid is as stupid does, flat characters, mythology inadvertently ridiculous and not laying the foundations for an interesting and functioning world, not even remotely. A fussy mish-mash Boo over which even Czech fairy tale characters would turn up their nose. But at the same time, it soon picks up a frantic pace, one action after another, and it's a solid, straightforward, explosive, silly good second-rate movie. (22/12/2017)

David Ayer sometimes makes me happy sometimes not, here it's about halfway through. This mix of fantasy in our world is certainly interesting, but not exploited enough. Story-wise it's very flat, Ayer doesn't know how to work with suspense much, at least he has Will Smith and an unrecognizable Joel Edgerton. The action is very decent, the elven trio perform some nice acrobatic stunts and it's pretty brutal too, but I couldn't enjoy the film to the full, there was something here that distracted me and I can't figure out which one it was. Anyway, decent work for Netflix. 65%. (27/12/2017)

That "multiracial" world is definitely interesting and would certainly offer decent possibilities for building some wider universe in the future. Visually it's very high-level, simply kind of a slightly above standard Ayer film. It's just that script-wise it's so terribly simple and routine that all you really enjoy for the entire two hours is the setting (which is great and original) and the occasional wisecrack here and there. I can't say I was bored with it, because it's really good to watch. But the fact remains that a sober (strict) assessment will yield a visually attractive yet otherwise in almost all respects superficial and flat spectacle for the undiscerning viewer. (23/01/2019)

Everything is fine about the idea. Urban fantasy, social metaphor, Nigga/Orc buddy chemistry ... even Ayer's directing decision to put it in a realistic tone a la Patrola is good. However, the execution is this case is not very good. After a promising quarter of an hour, it turns into an absurd show of clichés and dysfunctional props without any rhythm or satisfactory tension, which Will saves with his one-liners. The action is cumbersome and makes you yawn. The story is reminiscent of the worst from Underworld. Edgar Ramirez is probably the most absurd face since Travolta and Whitaker had whiskers in Battlefield Earth. There is little mythology to be seen, and what ended up in the film, feels retarded. I don't want to call it a blockbuster because of a few parlor tricks and the A cast. Golden Spectral. (23/12/2017)

Bright is a bizarre, entertaining genre hybrid that surprisingly manages to maintain a little dignity. The social issues of minorities, class-based society and racism addressed in the first half are presented decently, and Edgerton’s orc character is the movie’s best feature. In the second half, we get to see demons, a magic wand everybody wants and the threat of enslavement of the world by a potentially coming dark overlord. And, of course, some kung fu, torture and gunfights. Futuristic sci-fi, social drama and crazy fantasy with a hint of buddy cop comedy. I wouldn’t say that it’s a pity Ayer kept it only slightly above average, but rather a miracle. (15/05/2019)