‚Bright‘ review: Will Smith stars with Joel Edgerton in this Netflix alternate-reality movie, an expensive mess from director David Ayer and writer Max Landis
Directed by David Ayer (who makes his much-derided „Suicide Squad“ look better by comparison) and written by Max Landis, „Bright“ derives its name from a mysterious wand-wielding race, with that magical artifact becoming the source of what amounts to a movie-long chase. It all has something to do with a plan to revive the Dark Lord and throw the world into chaos, although frankly, it would be hard to appear much more chaotic than the movie itself.
Ayer certainly doesn’t scrimp on action, but much of it is shot so murkily as to undermine the thrills. The general atmosphere feels like an episode of „Gotham“ wedded to a modern-day „Lord of the Rings.“ By the time they engage in a pitched battle within a strip club, the clichés are piling up as fast as the bodies.
„Bright“ marks Netflix’s latest excursion into big-budget filmmaking, but it’s such a muddled concept as to suggest that the service would be better off tinkering with art-house items and Adam Sandler comedies until it can figure out a coherent strategy. Wherever Netflix goes from here, movies like „Bright“ shouldn’t become a hobbit — er, habit.
„I want my life back,“ Ward protests near the end. Those who make it all the way through „Bright“ will likely share those sentiments, even if it just amounts to wanting those two hours back.
„Bright“ premieres Dec. 22 on Netflix.
