Thought the only way was up for Will Smith after Suicide Squad? You’d be wrong apparently.
The Fresh Prince’s latest offering via Netflix has left critics deflated, with futuristic LA cop drama Bright being absolutely slammed.
Before we get into that, however, check out the trailer below for yourself…
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Yeah… that was confusing.
On Rotten Tomatoes Bright has mustered a whimpering 32 per cent rating on the critics’ Tomatometer.
The LA underworld fantasy/buddy cop crossover teams Smith with a rookie by the name of Nick Jakoby, oh and Nick happens to be an Orc, played by Joel Edgerton. The story seeks to reflect the very real racial tensions of America in an unreal setting – think District 9 but sh*t.
Let’s take a glance at what David Ehrlich of IndieWire had to say – SPOILER, it isn’t good:
There’s boring, there’s bad, and then there’s ‘Bright,’ a movie so profoundly awful that Republicans will probably try to pass it into law over Christmas break.
From the director of ‘Suicide Squad’ and the writer of ‘Victor Frankenstein’ comes a fresh slice of hell that somehow represents new lows for them both — a dull and painfully derivative ordeal that often feels like it was made just to put those earlier misfires into perspective. The only thing more predictable than this high-concept police story is the idea that a year as punishing as 2017 would save the worst for last.
At least ‘The Emoji Movie’ owned up to the fact that it was just putting shit on screen; at least ‘The Emoji Movie’ had the courtesy to dress it up in a bowtie.
Ouch – when The Emoji Movie receives backhanded compliments ahead of yours then something is definitely up.
Surely somebody had something nice to say?
What about Forbes:
Congratulations, Netflix! You can make a visually grotesque, dreadfully dull and hopelessly convoluted would-be franchise action movie just as well as the stereotypical Hollywood machine!
If anything, Bright is a giant Christmas/Hanukah gift from Netflix to the major studios. It shows the streaming giant falling on its face in its attempts to replicate the so-called Hollywood blockbuster.
Well at least that was aimed at Netflix rather than Smith or David Ayer, so that’s something, right? Play the ball not the man.
Ayer did have something to say in response, to Ehrlich’s critique. Taking to Twitter he retorted:
This is going on my fridge. Highest compliment is a strong reaction either way. This is a f*cking epic review. It’s a big fun movie. You can sure string words together Mr. Erlich. I’d love to read any script you’ve written.
Advantage Ayer…
This is going on my fridge. Highest compliment is a strong reaction either way. This is a f*cking epic review. It’s a big fun movie. You can sure string words together Mr. Erlich. I’d love to read any script you’ve written.
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) December 21, 2017
The conversation then turned remarkably civil:
you’re a good man, mr. Ayer. i'll be waiting with fresh eyes for whatever comes next.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 21, 2017
I really appreciate that. Every movie is a labor of love for me. I’ve never chased the audience, and I know my work can be polarizing. I’ve lived a crazy love and I guess my movies reflect that. https://t.co/YZBp2DwKlO
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) December 21, 2017
Ayer signed off saying:
I really appreciate that. Every movie is a labor of love for me. I’ve never chased the audience, and I know my work can be polarizing. I’ve lived a crazy love and I guess my movies reflect that.
It must also be said that Rotten Tomatoes registered a viewer rating of 82 per cent.
So if you’re looking for a film the whole family can enjoy this Christmas, maybe look elsewhere…