People who grew up playing D&D and Shadowrun (especially) appreciate it because it's something they have wanted to see for a long time. While others see a blatant film about racial tension, those who grew up with it are already familiar with the racial divides in fantasy realms. Elves being the elitist 1%, orcs being thugs, humans taking up positions in law enforcement, etc. have been long established norms in many fantasy worlds. Yeah, this film has lots of faults in its plot, it was still a movie I've (and probably a lot of others) longed to happen. Do I wish it could have been better? Yes, of course. Do I expect anyone else try to make a better film with the same premise? Hell no, we were lucky enough that the current atmosphere of green light anything allowed for this one! So I will take what I can get (at least the movie wasn't total garbage), and appreciate what's there. It's the same thing with what made the Underworld movies successful even though the movies were bad, it was vampires vs werewolves..so we World of Darkness fans creamed our pants for it. If you didn't understand any of the references I just made, then the movie was probably not for you.

i agree with the OP. hackneyed script, shallow and unappealing characters, tonally incoherent. just woeful. ugh.

Wasn't that bad. Wasn't terribly memorable, and Smith is beginning to show his age, but it was ok. I thought that the actress that played the runway elf was terrible, but Noomi Rapace is always welcome. Hey, I've spent $4.99 on rentals I hated so for a fraction of my $10/mo Netflix sub I'm not complaining.

@Innovator said:

People who grew up playing D&D and Shadowrun (especially) appreciate it because it's something they have wanted to see for a long time. While others see a blatant film about racial tension, those who grew up with it are already familiar with the racial divides in fantasy realms. Elves being the elitist 1%, orcs being thugs, humans taking up positions in law enforcement, etc. have been long established norms in many fantasy worlds. Yeah, this film has lots of faults in its plot, it was still a movie I've (and probably a lot of others) longed to happen. Do I wish it could have been better? Yes, of course. Do I expect anyone else try to make a better film with the same premise? Hell no, we were lucky enough that the current atmosphere of green light anything allowed for this one! So I will take what I can get (at least the movie wasn't total garbage), and appreciate what's there. It's the same thing with what made the Underworld movies successful even though the movies were bad, it was vampires vs werewolves..so we World of Darkness fans creamed our pants for it. If you didn't understand any of the references I just made, then the movie was probably not for you.

I appreciate your thoughtful reply. That said, if this was any kind of chance to open up the genre (orcs, elves, etc) to the masses it is a terrible attempt. Again, I think the production quality was there, but the story was so amateur to be awful. Actually, as I wrote the above line about orcs, elves, etc. we have seen another film series that included them but didn't have a terrible story: LOTR. So it can be done, but this attempt was way off. Again, unless I'm missing something about this story in particular, rather than orcs, elves and humans in general fantasy.

@Innovator said:

People who grew up playing D&D and Shadowrun (especially) appreciate it because it's something they have wanted to see for a long time. While others see a blatant film about racial tension, those who grew up with it are already familiar with the racial divides in fantasy realms. Elves being the elitist 1%, orcs being thugs, humans taking up positions in law enforcement, etc. have been long established norms in many fantasy worlds. Yeah, this film has lots of faults in its plot, it was still a movie I've (and probably a lot of others) longed to happen. Do I wish it could have been better? Yes, of course. Do I expect anyone else try to make a better film with the same premise? Hell no, we were lucky enough that the current atmosphere of green light anything allowed for this one! So I will take what I can get (at least the movie wasn't total garbage), and appreciate what's there. It's the same thing with what made the Underworld movies successful even though the movies were bad, it was vampires vs werewolves..so we World of Darkness fans creamed our pants for it. If you didn't understand any of the references I just made, then the movie was probably not for you.

interesting... i didn't know about this at all

If you look at any review from established geek reviewers on youtube. They say the say thing, they loved it and though they noticed problems still wish it was longer (as there was a lot they wish the movie had time to explore). Grace Randolf, Alachia Queen, Angry Joe, Zach Pope, James Hancock, SCL0 and many others. It's a good representation of what the geek crowd generally thinks about this movie (pretty much what I already said and many even mention Shadowrun).

I actually liked it. I didn't think it was the greatest movie but felt it was above average. It reminded me of Alien Nation, from the 80s. Human cop learning to accept his alien partner.

@Innovator said:

If you look at any review from established geek reviewers on youtube. They say the say thing, they loved it and though they noticed problems still wish it was longer (as there was a lot they wish the movie had time to explore). Grace Randolf, Alachia Queen, Angry Joe, Zach Pope, James Hancock, SCL0 and many others. It's a good representation of what the geek crowd generally thinks about this movie (pretty much what I already said and many even mention Shadowrun).

Once again, thanks for the thoughtful and information laden reply. I checked out a few of the reviewers, and while I understand better now, it seems that even though many of them were excited about the prospect of this film (or any films like this happening), they too were a bit disappointed with the result. If those who are already inclined to like a product don't like it, why should we be surprised when those who must be won to the product don't like it? Hence my surprise at the relatively high rating it is earning here on TMDB and elsewhere.

I will say again (and this was praised by many of the reviewers you cited): the production quality was there, the story not so much. By way of reflection/confession, I too have realized that part of what might have given me vertigo upon entering this world was these creatures being set in a modern context (although the poster is pretty obvious about it being sci-fi/fantasy!) as well as the assumption that viewers such as myself would already know about caste systems in this sub-genre of story . This is not so, so when we see elves interacting with orcs (OK, the orcs were a bit too on the nose to miss), we don't catch some of the race-ism until later in the film. I really did want to like it--and I might even watch it again given your impassioned and articulate response--so we'll see. As I watched it the first time it was the script, dialog and story arc that seemed so sophomoric as to disrupt the viewing experience.

Like I said, why people like it while other's don't probably has to do with what you grew up with. Those who play(ed) fantasy games or read fantasy stories are already used to the caste system in the genre so don't even think about it. On the other thread I mentioned Lord of the Rings, the same caste system is there (especially with the elves) with no explanation of it, but it's generally just accepted. Also I noticed that the movie skews better with a younger audience and older people tend to be more dismissive of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm pushing 50, but I've never really grown up (I love the same things I loved as a kid. I'm still a major gamer and worked for a long time in the video game industry, and adore all the geeky stuff I grew up with: Fantasy/Sci-fi movies and games and worked for years as a fantasy illustrator [still do on occasion], comic books, action figures, etc.) Regardless, like the reviewers I mentioned I still recognize that the film has faults (especially with lack of world building), but I appreciate what's there and am curious to learn more about the world it's in hence why I wished it was longer to do so. Also besides the world being fascinating, the story wasn't horrible, the performances were great and the movie action packed. Hence, why I and others like me rate it higher than others would, though we see the same issues you do. So I hope at least that answers your original question a little?

Now that I've seen the movie, I have to agree with @Innovator in that this one is made to appeal to a specific audience... I can apprecitate that it would be interesting for them... I didn't like it at all, but my brother did... he loved it...

It just seemed very cliché as a fantasy movie, but in a buddy cop LA setting... A mash-up of unappealing clichés if you will... it also has the very boring fantasy style fight scenes of people throwing magic around while shouting at the screen (similar to comicbook movies, which I'm not a fan of either)... a lot of throat and teeth...

Then again, I found the ring lord movies tedious as well... So I'm probably not the best person to ask about this genre and my brother liked it a lot and was transfixed... Probably a new high level for a fantasy TV movie...

my brother is 26... he loved it... but he's a huge lord of rings fan... i watched the extended version of the trilogy with him in one day to give it a second chance at his urging...

i was surprised that i didn't enjoy the fight scenes in Bright more... i suppose the non-magic fight scenes were ok for an action movie, but not quite the level of David Ayer's previous movies... I think the action in Fury, End of Watch, etc... is top notch. He's a solid director, i guess I expected to feel more and the fantasy/magic fight scenes just don't work for me... i can't remember ever feeling engagged in those in any recent movie... in his other movies, i feel everything... it's like there is real risk...

also, i kept laughing everytime someone was screeming about their "wand".. 😂 ... juvenile, i know, but i couldn't help it...

I do recognise that the movie works on many levels, it's just not for me

@Renovatio said:

it also has the very boring fantasy style fight scenes of people throwing magic around while shouting at the screen (similar to comicbook movies, which I'm not a fan of either)... a lot of throat and teeth...

lol..."a lot of throat and teeth..." that cracked me up! I think you've ruined me for that (recurring) film shot! :D

haha... @Daddie0 Sorry about that 😁

@Damienracer said:

@AlienFanatic said:

Wasn't that bad. Wasn't terribly memorable, and Smith is beginning to show his age, but it was ok. I thought that the actress that played the runway elf was terrible, but Noomi Rapace is always welcome. Hey, I've spent $4.99 on rentals I hated so for a fraction of my $10/mo Netflix sub I'm not complaining.

Will Smith is beginning to show his what? Another load of guff.

Ha ha! I was like, "Huh?" Like the saying goes Black don't crack which means their skin stays wrinkle free much longer. He still looks like he is in his mid 30s.

Aaaaaannnnddd...just as this film and discussion was fading from my memory CinemaSins goes and raises the issue again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZJ03OBJj4

'#curseyouCinemaSins! #andyetifeelvindicated