[NON-SPOILER REVIEW AHEAD]
Netflix’s new ‘successful failure’ is the topic of conversation among people recently.
Directed by David Ayer (of Fury, End of Watch and Suicide Squad) and released on 22nd December on Netflix, it is set in an alternate present day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time. Two police officers, one a human (Daryl Ward, played by Will Smith), the other an orc (Nick Jakoby, played by Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. As both battle with their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which, in the wrong hands, could destroy everything.
The synopsis of it sounds unconventional – and it is. Take it as Lord Of The Rings joining forces with 21 Jump Street.
The movie has gotten mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a mere 29%, which was ridiculed by audiences as the audiences’ score was 88%. Screen Rant calls it a mess, NY Times called it a ‘short supply of true enchantment’ but despite of it all, it drew 11 million viewers during the first three days of its release.
Alright, enough with the critics so let’s get down to the nitty-gritty bits, shall we?
1. Plot
The plot is peciliar – to say the least. Mixing the modern day America with fantasies and mythical creatures is a recipe that leaves a strange taste to everyone’s taste buds, keeping them wanting for more. Written by Max Landis and revised by the director, David Ayer, it leaves a room full of speculation, confusion as well as giving the audience the ability to read between the lines of the undertones the movie is trying to convey about the current society. There is not much backstory and therefore, the viewer doesn’t really get the scope of things, but maybe that’s just their way to make room for a potential prequel. Not only that, the ending is a bit off too, leaving the audience wondering to themselves, that’s it? The undertones of the movie aren’t hard to spot too – it highlights real-world problems, using mythical creatures as a metaphor for social commentary.
2. Dialogue
It tries to be witty and more appealing to the younger crowd. Some scenes are great – developing the character and letting the audience feel for them but some scenes weren’t so great in the sense whereby it came off as awkward and unnecessary.
3. Cinematography
Looking very much like Suicide Squad, David Ayer and cinematographer, Roman Vasyanov did a pretty good job with the visuals. Action scenes are intense and entertaining. Transitions were smooth but because the plot was all over the place, it didn’t leave much room for the cinematography to shine.
4. Characters
Daryl Ward (Will Smith) and Nick Jakoby (Joel Edgerton), who are LAPD cops, were amazing in this movie. Their chemistry and friendship are great, slowly building and developing as the movie progresses.
Not the same can be said for the other characters, though. For instance, Tikka (Lucy Fry), the elf that is with Ward and Jakoby though the film, was not interesting at all – she was quite annoying to say the least and all over the place as well. The main villain, Leilah (Noomi Rapace), was a 2-dimensional character that had her background information disregarded, not giving her any wow-factor as a villain.
5. Soundtrack
The soundtracks for the movie are good. Like, very good.
Some of the songs include “Broken People” by Rag’n’Bone Man and Logic, “World Gone Mad” by Bastille, “Home” by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha, “Crown” by Camilla Cabello, “Darkside” by Ty Dolla $ign and Future featuring Kiiara and “Danger” by Migos and Marshmello, just to name a few.
It is announced that a sequel is already in the works, with Will Smith set to return. Will it return with a better plot and screenplay by offering what the first movie couldn’t? We’ll see.
What are your thoughts on Bright? Let us know!
Header image source here.
