Bright is a 2017 urban fantasy movie that was directed by David Ayer. Its screenplay was crafted by Max Landis. In the film, humans cohabit with fable creatures including orcs, elves, and fairies in something akin to present day Los Angeles, and it features police officers played by Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. Built as one of Netflix’s most ambitious original films to date, Bright stirred quite a lot of controversy over its hybrid approach to different genres when it premiered on the streaming service.
Fusion of the social allegory with high fantasy and buddy-cop action, alongside the mixed to negative reviews Bright got from critics, does provide the audience a sense of distinct cinematic perception. There are those, who praise the film’s thrilling moments and originality, while others heavily critique the execution, inconsistent pacing, and blunt themes.
Synopsis
While depicting Los Angeles with almost the same chaos and corruption we have in the real world, Bright marks an alternate timeline where fantastic beasts coexist with humanity. Here, orcs are viewed as low-class citizens, while elves tend to dominate as aristocracy, and humans serve the middle ground.
The narrative centers around Daryl Ward, an LAPD officer, played by Will Smith. Ward is a veteran cop recovering from being shot on duty. His partner—Nick Jakoby, played by Joel Edgerton—is the first orc police officer in the department. Their coparternship is strained, not just because of racial discrimination from their colleagues and the rest of society, but also due to what seems to be insubordinate doubts concerning Jakoby’s loyalty and ability.
Ward, who is still resentful towards Ward for the injury he sustained, is still angry about percieved icy detachment of the orc cop in question. So Ward, still nursing the grudge over the injury, the team shift patrols to include the streets, train station and Mount Shasta. Everything changes when they answer a call about a woman fighting in a safe house — they find a magic wand, along with a host of perilous secrets, and kick off the races to get the wand before the world’s magical underbelly does.
The wand is a rare and potent magical relic that can only be controlled by a few select individuals known as “Brights.” It possesses the ability to grant any wish making it quite useful. Furthermore, in the wrong hands it can manifest destructive potential. Currently, the wand is being hunted down by Leilah, a rogue elf belonging to the Inferni, an extremist cult that strives to bring back an ancient dark evil lord known to destroy worlds.
With the wand also comes Tikka, an elvish young Bright who defected later from the Inferni. She is on the run and Ward and Jakoby must shield her from Leilah, dirty cops, gangsters, and a host of others who wish to use the wand to fulfill their machiavellian motives.
The night descends into complete mayhem as magical confrontations, shootouts, and betrayal unfold. Alongside the chaos comes the moral struggles each person faces. Gradually Ward and Jakoby learn to trust one another as they embark on this journey together. Finally, in a climactic showdown, Ward becomes a Bright and uses the wand to rescue his partner and Tikka and destroys Leilah in the process.
The conclusion of the film leaves Ward and Jakoby alive and celebrated and heroes, but the underlying story elements of magic and prophecy still exist in the periphery.
Full cast
Main cast
Will Smith as Daryl Ward – a gruff, cynical LAPD officer with a deep-seated conflict about trust who abuses his authority.
Joel Edgerton as Nick Jakoby – The first orc police officer; well-intentioned and kind-hearted, but unwanted by humans and orcs alike.
Noomi Rapace as Leilah – the most prominent antagonist of the film, an elf of great power who commands the Inferni cult.
Lucy Fry as Tikka – an emotionally fragile elf with magical qualities and the power to shape the wand’s destiny.
Edgar Ramírez as Kandomere – a magic division elf FBI agent who is after the wand.
Ike Barinholtz as Pollard – one of the dirty policemen chasing the main characters.
In supporting roles, we see Happy Anderson, Veronica Ngo, and Brad William Henke.
Crew:
Director: David Ayer
Writer: Max Landis
Producers: Eric Newman, Bryan Unkeless, David Ayer
Music Composer: David Sardy
Cinematographer: Roman Vasyanov
Editor: Michael Tronick
Production Design: Andrew Menzies
Costume Design: Kelli Jones
Themes and Analysis
- Bright’s social and racial representation
An attempt that stands out in Bright’s premises is using fantasy characters in an effort to bridge the gaps in race relations. Orcs serve as a proxy for historically oppressed groups, namely the Black and Latino communities in America. They suffer from systemic exclusion, police violence, cultural depiction, and stereotypes.
Elves, in comparison, are depicted as ultra-rich elite who are entirely removed from social struggles, living an insular existence. Humans are somewhere in between: Usually the enforcers of the power-dynamics fundamental to society but, at the same time, are vulnerable to the same seductions and bigoted views.
- Trust and Brotherhood
At the film’s center is the transformation of Ward and Jakoby’s dynamic. In the beginning, Ward considers Jakoby an anchor. Jakoby is a mix of respects Ward but is anxious of him. They respect each other in authentic ways during the course of their nightmarish journey, bonded by camaraderie, removing stereotypes.
- Power and Corruption
Bright does not hold back on showing the decay in institutions. From dirty cops to insufficiently ethical politicians, the film seems to suggest that there is strong corruption everywhere. The wand serves as a power metaphor, one that is sought after by many while few truly deserve it.
Reception and Legacy
Critics were split on their perception of Bright. The film generated impressive viewership numbers shortly after its Netflix premiere and was popular with some audiences; however, critics were less merciful. A large number of them deemed the social commentary too heavy-handed, lack of polish in the script, and an overabundance of action-genre tropes in the plot. On the other side, the film acquired a cult following, with supporters praising its originality and attempts to blend multiple genres.
Special praise went to performances like that of Joel Edgerton. Edgerton’s portrayal of the character Jakoby provided the role with a degree of nuance and empathy, in a part that would have otherwise been sidelined as comic relief. Smith’s presence as a leading actor was significant, even when the material did not hold up.
Regardless of mixed reviews, Bright did provide enough value to Netflix for them to approve a sequel, also directed by David Ayer. As a result of unannounced timelines, Bright 2 remains in ‘development hell’, pending production.
Conclusion
As seen in this Bright review, Bright is a bold film striving to merge a cop drama with high fantasy lore far from anything we have encountered before. Although far from perfect, its unique setting alongside its striking ambition makes it stand out in contemporary action-fantasy cinema. It uses the magic-realist genre as a framework to address social issues, aiming to entertain and stimulate thoughts simultaneously.
Regardless of whether one chooses to classify it as an undefinable experiment or a rare undiscovered jewel, Bright certainly makes an impression. Embracing its chaos and character alike, it is one film that steps over boundaries of genre storytelling. In a world full of monotonous overhyped blockbusters, Bright distinguishes itself – and for that reason, is worth watching.
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