Netflix Offers 'Bright' Patch In Holiday Feature Films

On Dec. 22 we booted up Netflix to watch "Bright" on a Friday night. It was just about the same time as a rocket was launched across the southern California skies. Not that I would know this. We were so entranced with the David Ayers-directed cop/buddy sci-fi/fantasy mashup, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton, that no one even glanced at their phones while watching the film.

These days, that is the highest form of at-home movie-viewing compliment.

"Bright" produced by Netflix, feels like a blockbuster film now playing on your small screen. Though you might see the posters or cardboard cutouts advertising the feature, you won't be charged an arm and a leg to see it. Think 'Lord of the Rings' set in modern Los Angeles: Elves have taken over Beverly Hills as the elite society and faeries require household pest maintenance. There's an FBI unit for dealing with magical creatures, and two unlikely heroes find themselves in the middle of fulfilling a prophecy.

Will Smith stars as the rogue cop Daryl Ward, the one who nobody wants to ride with. Joel Edgerton plays Nick Jakoby, an Orc graduated into the Los Angeles Police Department's "diversity program." It's an unlikely universe for a cop-buddy action flick, and though one can hope the two will overcome their differences to work together, the magical elements make this drama far from predictable, as films of this genre often end up relying on the tried-and-true formulas that we've seen a hundred times over.

Bright's director, David Ayers ("Suicide Squad", "Fury", "End of Watch") expects the audience to jump in and keep pace with the world he's built. Lovers of both fantasy and sci-fi genres have done just that, based upon the thousands of reviews that are streaming in.

Though some critics have panned the film based upon its fantasy and cop drama mash-up, this feature has the traditional Will Smith humor fans will find endearing while fantasy hungry audiences will be entranced with the manner in which fantasy and "real life" characters interact.

"Bright" tackles both the social commentary of race and prejudice in society and follows Orc cop Jakoby's desire to be accepted with his LAPD brothers more than his need to be accepted by his own tribe.

Though Ayers left fans with an open end, he told the Hollywood Reporter that he wouldn't talk sequel until after he heard what the fans said. Netflix has reportedly already ordered, once again with Will Smith in a reprise role as Ward.

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