• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • by Genre
      • Action
      • Animated
      • Biography
      • Chick Flick
      • Comedy
      • Complete Shit
      • Dick Flick
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Family
      • History
      • Horror
      • Indie Films
      • Musical
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Sci-fi & Fantasy
      • Short
      • Suspense
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • by Grouch
      • Alyn Darnay
      • Amadarwin
      • Billy K
      • David Limacher
      • Eric Chamberlain
      • H-Man
      • Joshua Diaz
      • Madison Swift
      • Michael Carter
      • Rachel Peters
      • Star Shine
      • Rick Swift
    • Throwback Theater
  • News
    • News
    • Podcast
    • Rants
  • Shop
Film Grouch

Film Grouch

Back in my day, films were great. What happened?

Bright

March 9, 2018 by Rick Swift 0 Comments

4.5/5 - (2 votes)

Shadowrun meets Training Day

Directed by: David Ayer
Written by: Max Landis
Cast: Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Lucy Fry, Noomi Rapace

Swift shot: Back in high school I used to play this game called Shadowrun, it was all about “The Great Awakening” (if memory serves it was a nuclear fallout) where people were transformed into different metahumans: dwarves; elves; trolls; and orcs. It was fun and basically blended the D&D world with the dawning cyber explosion a few years before the internet was launched en masse. In fact, my first exposure to it was at a book store (remember those?). I saw this crazy image of a gangster wearing a pinstripe suit and smoking a cigar, only it was an orc. I bought the game, and we probably played it for about three years, all told. I have a soft spot for anything that reminds me of Shadowrun. 

When I first saw an ad for Bright, I felt the same way. Actually I thought of it more like Alien Nation, where there is an extraterrestrial species trying to assimilate with humans and work on the police force. I was excited to see Bright, and I was looking forward to getting a press screening for it. But, then I found out it was coming out on Netflix with no theatrical release. Interesting, I thought – and rather than focus on why that was happening, I decided that I would definitely be checking this one out. All I can say is, sorry I took so long, David Ayer!

I am a casual fan of Ayer, but I had no idea he was behind Bright. I was a bit disappointed with Suicide Squad, but my main critique was that he didn’t tap into what made him great, namely Training Day and End of Watch. Speaking of Suicide Squad, you will recognize quite a few of the actors in Bright.

Ayer was essentially done with the cop drama, but when he was approached by Max Landis (American Ultra) to work on this story, he just couldn’t turn it down so some other director could make it. He knew he had to make Bright. 

With Bright, he and Landis made the most original cop drama set in a world that doesn’t exist within our world that does, and he did it so seamlessly that I left the house this morning looking for fairies.

So, in the world of Bright, there is a different timeline than our own. Over 2,000 years ago there was a dark lord who ruled over the world, and the orcs were with him against the humans and elves. As a result, orcs are looked down upon by just about everyone. And the elves are the elites of society, naturally. There is a lot of dialog that sets up the world without actually spoon-feeding the audience. 

But, there is only one group more despised than orcs, Los Angeles cops. So, when you find out that un-blooded orc, Nick Jakoby (Edgerton) has wanted to be a cop his whole life, you have to respect that kind of commitment. I mean, he’s already an orc, and he wants to be a cop too? Talk about a glutton for punishment!

Meanwhile, Jakoby’s senior partner, Daryl Ward (Smith) of course wants nothing to do with Jakoby, but he’s been stuck with him for a partner. We never really find out why, interestingly enough. But, that isn’t really what this story is about. 

Essentially Bright is a tale about a group of dark elves called the Inferni led by Leilah (Rapace). She needs the wand to bring the dark lord back to enslave the world. I guess you could say that would be bad. And to make matters worse, when the wand is stolen by her fellow elf Tikka (Fry), seemingly all of the Los Angeles underworld (which takes on a new meaning in this film) is after it. It’s the perfect movie McGuffin.

One thing I really thought was interesting about Bright is how immensely lethal a wand was treated. When I think about Harry Potter and how they give these things to kids, compared to how just one wand wreaks total havoc in Bright, I appreciated the terrific power of magic.

As Ward and Jakoby get themselves into a call that pits them against gangsters (both human and orc), the Inferni, and their fellow officers of the law, it will be a miracle if they both come out of it alive. 

With a novel take on racial tension, Bright does a good job of exploring the sometimes despicable nature of humans as they relate to the “other”. As Jakoby is mercilessly ridiculed by other cops and any orcs he encounters out in the field. But as the night goes on, Ward and Jakoby form a bond that can only ever really develop under deluges of lead. 

Edgerton and Smith had a really great chemistry, and when there were moments for comedy in this bleak universe, they both delivered. Oh, and the Netflix community would come down on me hard if I didn’t point out the freakin’ phenomenal job that Brad William Henke did playing orc leader Dorghu. Dorghu reminded me of that orc gangster from the original Shadowrun adventure that got my attention all those years ago.    

The firefight scenes in Bright are on par with End of Watch, and again Ayer captures that fatal feeling of despair, as Ward and Jakoby are faced with impossible odds to simply survive the night. While I would have liked more scenes with elvish intrigue, that is why I tweeted at Ayer right after I watched this film:

Finally watched #Bright @DavidAyerMovies I want 1,000 sequels of this film! @joeledgerton1 pic.twitter.com/9chXO5yZ8T

— FilmGrouch (@filmgrouch) March 9, 2018

I wasn’t lying, I really want as many sequels of this film as possible, because I am in love with the universe that has been created. 

My hope is that some film makers will see Bright and be inspired to create more stories within this fantastic world that brings me back to all those nights playing Shadowrun with my buddies. So, I hope Hollywood is listening, because we want more!

Filed Under: Action, Dick Flick, Drama, Reviews, Sci-fi & Fantasy, Thriller Tagged With: Netflix, rev

About Rick Swift

South Florida native, Marine Corps veteran, former choirboy and violinist. He's seen much of the world and lives for films. Swift created FilmGrouch to counter so-called "experts" who forgot how to enjoy movies. He's just a regular, red-blooded American who wants to be entertained. X him @Filmgrouch

Primary Sidebar

The Film Grouch Show!

Did You Read These Reviews?

  • tedTed
    By Rick Swift
  • Zack Gottsagen and Shia LaBeouf in THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCONThe Peanut Butter Falcon
    By Alyn Darnay

GREAT YOUTUBES

Dave Chappelle talks about Kanye West, the 2022 midterm elections and Donald Trump.

Saturday Night Live. Stream now on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3uQxh4q

Subscribe to SNL: https://goo.gl/tUsXwM
Stream Current Full Episodes: http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

WATCH PAST SNL SEASONS
Google Play - http://bit.ly/SNLGooglePlay
iTunes - http://bit.ly/SNLiTunes

SNL ON SOCIAL
SNL Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbcsnl
SNL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snl
SNL Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcsnl
SNL TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl

GET MORE NBC
Like NBC: http://Facebook.com/NBC
Follow NBC: http://Twitter.com/NBC
NBC Tumblr: http://NBCtv.tumblr.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nbc
NBC Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbc

#SNL #DaveChappelle #SNL48 #BlackStar

390.3K 46.7K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy5DMkU4NTY1QUFGQTYwMDE3

Dave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue - SNL

16.8M views November 13, 2022 1:51 am

W has compiled all the most sensational moments from the first season of the hit series 'ASMR interview'. Relax and enjoy the electric tingles from soothing whispers and sounds generated by A-list celebrities like Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lucy Hale, Salma Hayek, Kate Hudson, Emily Ratajkowski, Aubrey Plaza, Ashley Graham, and Melissa Benoist.

Still haven’t subscribed to W on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/wyoutubesub

ABOUT W
The Who, What, Where, When, and Why in the world of fashion and style. W provides the ultimate insider experience with an original, provocative approach to art, culture, videos, travel, fashion, and beauty.

Best of ASMR: Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot and More Explore ASMR with Whispers and Sounds | W Magazine

116K 3.5K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy4yQUE2Q0JEMTk4NTM3RTZC

Best of ASMR: Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot and More Explore ASMR with Whispers and Sounds | W Magazine

6.9M views June 25, 2018 7:00 am

What is a Dick Flick Pick?  

Tactical Girl is trying to find a new job in this civvy world that's seemingly foreign.  She's starting this vlog to see if anyone has a job for her.  In the mean time, she's got a temp gig at Film Grouch, reviewing Dick Flick Picks.  What is a Dick Flick Pick?  Tactical Girl explains...

Featuring shirt by veteran-owned hellhoundapparel.com

Produced by Micah Haughey
Written by Rick Swift, Julia Ling
Assistant Producer Ryan Finlay
Title Graphics by Ernesto Moreno
Makeup by Exquisitely Madeup
"Lethal Breed" Shirt by Hell Hound Apparel

"Texas Techno" by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

56 7

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy5DQ0MyQ0Y4Mzg0M0VGOEYw

Tactical Girl Explains the Dick Flick Pick

2.1K views April 2, 2018 3:18 am

REMASTERED IN HD!
Official video of Billy Idol performing Cradle Of Love from the album Charmed Life. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/x5mixo 
At the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for Best Male Video and Best Special Effects and won the award for Best Video from a Film
Like Billy Idol on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BillyIdol 
Follow Billy Idol on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/billyidol 
Official Website: http://billyidol.net/

#BillyIdol #CradleOfLove #Remastered #Vevo

165.2K 7.4K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy41QUZGQTY5OTE4QTREQUU4

Billy Idol - Cradle Of Love (Official Music Video)

29.5M views March 10, 2009 1:31 am

🌟 Turn ON Closed Captions for lyrics.
🔥 DragonForce Razer Customs ► https://bit.ly/3iZNOis
🥰 What Easter eggs did you find in the video? Watch again and leave a comment!

DragonForce Troopers of the Stars from the album Extreme Power Metal is inspired by the movie Starship Troopers. This official music video was filmed in Los Angeles California, before the pandemic with director Roboshobo.

DragonForce is a Grammy nominated platinum selling metal band. For over 20 years, DragonForce have toured around the world and shared the stage with many amazing bands including Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Helloween, Sabaton, Nightwish, Powerwolf, Amon Amarth, Hammerfall, Amaranthe, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Rhapsody and many more bands on Nuclear Blast Records, Napalm Records.
#dragonforce #extremepowermetal #hermanli #samtotman #marchudson #geeanzalone #aliciavigil

SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/c/dragonforce?sub_confirmation=1
ENABLE ► Notification
FOLLOW ► @HermanLi on Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, Cameo and Discord
FOLLOW ► @DragonForce on Twitter and @DragonForcHQ on Instagram

Catch Herman Li Twitch livestreams, Monday - Friday
for more epic live reaction video, guitar playthrough, video gaming, guitar reviews, gear reviews, special guest sessions and more! ► https://twitch.tv/hermanli
Get your Herman Li shout out to friends ► https://cameo.com/hermanli

SOCIALS
Discord ► https://discord.gg/hermanli
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/dragonforcehq
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/hermanli
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/dragonforce
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/hermanli
Tiktok ► https://tiktok.com/@dragonforce
Tiktok ► https://tiktok.com/@hermanli
Facebook ► https://facebook.com/dragonforce

DRAGONFORCE
🌏 Tour Tickets & VIP ► https://dragonforce.com/shows
👕 Merch ► https://dragonforce.com/shop

🎸 OUR MUSIC
iTunes https://apple.co/2P2xTjx
Amazon https://amzn.to/3jOF1hN
Tidal https://bit.ly/348GDxn
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pH3wEn4eYlMMIIQyKPbVR

🎥 CAST
Alien Overlord - Clint Tauscher
Pizza Kimmy - Katie Kelley
Pizza Steve - Jake Yocham
Pizza Monster - Brenna Cheney
Surprised Dad - Jaret Sacrey
Party Guests - Random Acts of Irreverent Dance (RAID)

19.5K 1.2K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy43NDhFRTgwOTRERTU4Rjg3

DragonForce - Troopers of the Stars (Official Video - Extreme Power Metal)

962.7K views August 27, 2021 4:00 am

The human race only gets stronger as new generations are born to help innovate the world in new ways, but imagine if, somehow, everyone stopped having babies and this was the last generation! Check out the huge impact not having children would have across the entire globe!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE INFOGRAPHICS SHOW ► https://www.youtube.com/c/theinfographicsshowOFFICIAL?sub_confirmation=1

🔖 MY SOCIAL PAGES
TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@theinfographicsshow
Discord ► https://discord.gg/theinfoshow
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/TheInfographicsShow
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/TheInfoShow


💭 Find more interesting stuff on:
https://www.theinfographicsshow.com


📝 SOURCES:https://pastebin.com/P1UNFEFb

All videos are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted.

11.7K 1.9K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy44Mjc5REFBRUE2MTdFRDU0

What If People Stopped Having Children

385K views November 11, 2022 10:15 am

Dave Chappelle talks about Kanye West, the 2022 midterm elections and Donald Trump.

Saturday Night Live. Stream now on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3uQxh4q

Subscribe to SNL: https://goo.gl/tUsXwM
Stream Current Full Episodes: http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

WATCH PAST SNL SEASONS
Google Play - http://bit.ly/SNLGooglePlay
iTunes - http://bit.ly/SNLiTunes

SNL ON SOCIAL
SNL Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbcsnl
SNL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snl
SNL Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcsnl
SNL TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl

GET MORE NBC
Like NBC: http://Facebook.com/NBC
Follow NBC: http://Twitter.com/NBC
NBC Tumblr: http://NBCtv.tumblr.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nbc
NBC Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbc

#SNL #DaveChappelle #SNL48 #BlackStar

390.3K 46.7K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy5DMkU4NTY1QUFGQTYwMDE3

Dave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue - SNL

16.8M views November 13, 2022 1:51 am

W has compiled all the most sensational moments from the first season of the hit series 'ASMR interview'. Relax and enjoy the electric tingles from soothing whispers and sounds generated by A-list celebrities like Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lucy Hale, Salma Hayek, Kate Hudson, Emily Ratajkowski, Aubrey Plaza, Ashley Graham, and Melissa Benoist.

Still haven’t subscribed to W on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/wyoutubesub

ABOUT W
The Who, What, Where, When, and Why in the world of fashion and style. W provides the ultimate insider experience with an original, provocative approach to art, culture, videos, travel, fashion, and beauty.

Best of ASMR: Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot and More Explore ASMR with Whispers and Sounds | W Magazine

116K 3.5K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy4yQUE2Q0JEMTk4NTM3RTZC

Best of ASMR: Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot and More Explore ASMR with Whispers and Sounds | W Magazine

6.9M views June 25, 2018 7:00 am

What is a Dick Flick Pick?  

Tactical Girl is trying to find a new job in this civvy world that's seemingly foreign.  She's starting this vlog to see if anyone has a job for her.  In the mean time, she's got a temp gig at Film Grouch, reviewing Dick Flick Picks.  What is a Dick Flick Pick?  Tactical Girl explains...

Featuring shirt by veteran-owned hellhoundapparel.com

Produced by Micah Haughey
Written by Rick Swift, Julia Ling
Assistant Producer Ryan Finlay
Title Graphics by Ernesto Moreno
Makeup by Exquisitely Madeup
"Lethal Breed" Shirt by Hell Hound Apparel

"Texas Techno" by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

56 7

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy5DQ0MyQ0Y4Mzg0M0VGOEYw

Tactical Girl Explains the Dick Flick Pick

2.1K views April 2, 2018 3:18 am

REMASTERED IN HD!
Official video of Billy Idol performing Cradle Of Love from the album Charmed Life. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/x5mixo 
At the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for Best Male Video and Best Special Effects and won the award for Best Video from a Film
Like Billy Idol on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BillyIdol 
Follow Billy Idol on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/billyidol 
Official Website: http://billyidol.net/

#BillyIdol #CradleOfLove #Remastered #Vevo

165.2K 7.4K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy41QUZGQTY5OTE4QTREQUU4

Billy Idol - Cradle Of Love (Official Music Video)

29.5M views March 10, 2009 1:31 am

🌟 Turn ON Closed Captions for lyrics.
🔥 DragonForce Razer Customs ► https://bit.ly/3iZNOis
🥰 What Easter eggs did you find in the video? Watch again and leave a comment!

DragonForce Troopers of the Stars from the album Extreme Power Metal is inspired by the movie Starship Troopers. This official music video was filmed in Los Angeles California, before the pandemic with director Roboshobo.

DragonForce is a Grammy nominated platinum selling metal band. For over 20 years, DragonForce have toured around the world and shared the stage with many amazing bands including Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Helloween, Sabaton, Nightwish, Powerwolf, Amon Amarth, Hammerfall, Amaranthe, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Rhapsody and many more bands on Nuclear Blast Records, Napalm Records.
#dragonforce #extremepowermetal #hermanli #samtotman #marchudson #geeanzalone #aliciavigil

SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/c/dragonforce?sub_confirmation=1
ENABLE ► Notification
FOLLOW ► @HermanLi on Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, Cameo and Discord
FOLLOW ► @DragonForce on Twitter and @DragonForcHQ on Instagram

Catch Herman Li Twitch livestreams, Monday - Friday
for more epic live reaction video, guitar playthrough, video gaming, guitar reviews, gear reviews, special guest sessions and more! ► https://twitch.tv/hermanli
Get your Herman Li shout out to friends ► https://cameo.com/hermanli

SOCIALS
Discord ► https://discord.gg/hermanli
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/dragonforcehq
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/hermanli
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/dragonforce
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/hermanli
Tiktok ► https://tiktok.com/@dragonforce
Tiktok ► https://tiktok.com/@hermanli
Facebook ► https://facebook.com/dragonforce

DRAGONFORCE
🌏 Tour Tickets & VIP ► https://dragonforce.com/shows
👕 Merch ► https://dragonforce.com/shop

🎸 OUR MUSIC
iTunes https://apple.co/2P2xTjx
Amazon https://amzn.to/3jOF1hN
Tidal https://bit.ly/348GDxn
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pH3wEn4eYlMMIIQyKPbVR

🎥 CAST
Alien Overlord - Clint Tauscher
Pizza Kimmy - Katie Kelley
Pizza Steve - Jake Yocham
Pizza Monster - Brenna Cheney
Surprised Dad - Jaret Sacrey
Party Guests - Random Acts of Irreverent Dance (RAID)

19.5K 1.2K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy43NDhFRTgwOTRERTU4Rjg3

DragonForce - Troopers of the Stars (Official Video - Extreme Power Metal)

962.7K views August 27, 2021 4:00 am

The human race only gets stronger as new generations are born to help innovate the world in new ways, but imagine if, somehow, everyone stopped having babies and this was the last generation! Check out the huge impact not having children would have across the entire globe!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE INFOGRAPHICS SHOW ► https://www.youtube.com/c/theinfographicsshowOFFICIAL?sub_confirmation=1

🔖 MY SOCIAL PAGES
TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@theinfographicsshow
Discord ► https://discord.gg/theinfoshow
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/TheInfographicsShow
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/TheInfoShow


💭 Find more interesting stuff on:
https://www.theinfographicsshow.com


📝 SOURCES:https://pastebin.com/P1UNFEFb

All videos are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted.

11.7K 1.9K

YouTube Video UExYeWVGQXNoeVl2UHRPb1hsWVVDUVZzbDJ3c1R2MEhJVy44Mjc5REFBRUE2MTdFRDU0

What If People Stopped Having Children

385K views November 11, 2022 10:15 am

Footer

Letterboxd is great for creating Top Movie lists and connecting with other movie lovers.

A fun Star Wars Podcast I co-host!

Working with Veterans to produce some terrific films and more!

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

Lightbox image placeholder

Previous Slide

Next Slide