Bright: The Modern Fantasy

With Will Smith taking one of the lead roles, Netflix’s first big-budget movie Bright is a fantastic story, bringing the fantasy world to the modern era. Bright incorporates many elements that give a fresh idea to the fantasy world, such as how mythical races such as orcs and elves use modern technology and fit into modern societal roles. Orcs in fantasy were always the brutes, no one really enjoyed their presence, but they were there. This fits them into the category of being the main residents of hoods and gangs. Elves are typically a more advanced and prosperous race, which fits into the rich-snob category of society. The elves in Bright seem to pull the strings throughout the movie, being the antagonist of the story as well as the main race who are the federal agents. They are also the main wielders of magic in the story, which is the main plot device. Humans are just kind of there, not fitting into a particular mold, which is normal for a fantasy story.

Many critics, however, did not like the movie, calling the plot too simple and the characters too shallow. I disagree with that though. I believe that the meat of the enjoyment of this movie is in the character arcs and the world building. It was really fun to see how all these different races fit into the world that, for all intents and purposes, we live in. Going into a club with orcs playing death metal, and Jackoby calling it “the best love song he’s ever heard”(Bright). Or when Ward kills the fairy at the beginning of the movie just like a fly. The character arcs of the two main characters are also incredible. Jackoby, who really is the more important and interesting of the two main characters, goes from being hated by pretty much everyone to the chosen one and finally being accepted by his orc brethren. Ward, while not as pronounced, still went from a hardass cop who hated his partner to finally accepting who he is and supporting him in that.

Bright is a fun watch, and while it may not be the most original or in depth story, the characters and the fantastical world that they live in keep the movie going. Nothing like watching an elf running into a convenience store with a car and the good guys using a magic wand to blow up the gas tank.













Ayer, David, director. Bright. Bright, Netflix.