Flashy but flawed ‘Bright’ has unrealized potential

The action-fantasy flick “Bright” offers thinly veiled racial and social issue metaphors, all packaged in one gritty, flashy extravaganza that delivers—but, only when it isn’t treading clichéd territory.

In its world that very much looks like our own, mythical creatures not just stepped out of the shadows, they also work and coexist alongside human beings—albeit uncomfortably.

This is especially evident in the Los Angeles police force, where Officer Ward (Will Smith) is teamed up with the dedicated but untrusted orc cop, Officer Jakoby (Joel Edgerton). Ward is idolized by his nonhuman coworker, while Jakoby isn’t exactly well-liked by their colleagues, and is considered a turncoat by his own “monster” kind.

Soon enough, Ward and Jakoby discover some nastiness brewing around them. They protect a fidgety young elf, Tikka (Lucy Ward), who knows the truth about an ancient weapon of power. But the film plays out like the usual Hollywood action blockbuster after that.

The adult-oriented Netflix film by David Ayer (“Fury”), has polished visuals and prosthetics that look like they would seamlessly fit into the old action-fantasy series, “Angel,” also based in LA.

The integration of fantastical elements with regular, brightly lit environments make the nonhumans stick out, and that’s the point—out of the shadows, they make some humans uneasy, and that’s apart from their shared history of conflict.

That’s what the film should have expounded on—as the backstory, told briefly in parts, offers just cursory information. Still, we get enough out of the protagonists that makes them likeable and accessible—Ward is a loyal family man, while Jakoby is shown making tough but relatable decisions, acting as Ward’s moral compass at
pivotal times.

The action is fast-paced, especially those involving the formidable elf, Leilah (Noomi Rapace), whose agenda is reminiscent of characters from “Lord of the Rings” and other familiar stories from the fantasy and sci-fi genres. The need for satisfying backstories becomes especially apparent when Leilah and her swift-moving minions join the fray.

“Bright” nevertheless feels like it can go two different ways now—it’s self-contained, formulaic and can end here, but it’s also intriguing enough to merit its own episodic exploration via future films.

With the enigmatic world it has, its potential can still be realized, and the Smith-Edgerton dynamic can be mined for a more compelling “integration” tale.