Panned by critics, the Harry Potter for adults Bright may be a seemingly endless generic series of shoot-outs, but there remains more than a kernel of engagement – even if the cast are wasted on the material.
A detective (Will Smith) reluctantly partnered with an Orc (the unrecognisable Joel Edgerton) needs to find a magic wand before evil in the form of Noomi Rapace gets to it first.
Full of the bombast expected from director David Ayer, Bright sees all manner of streetlife and corrupt cops look to seize the magic. Derivative it may be, but the high concept of (marginalised) orcs and (wealthy) elves living alongside humans in LA brings together more than a hint of Middle Earth and Bladerunner sitting side by side. It’s not wholly successful – but Bright 2 has been announced, so….
Rating: 44%
Director: David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch),
Writer: Max Landis (Me Him Her, Mr Right)
Main cast: Will Smith (Ali, Men in Black), Joel Edgerton (The King, The Great Gatsby), Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus)
An Opinion or Two 