I took the time to watch Bright this morning, Netflix's new high concept Fantasy Real World Mash Up. Critically, it's taking a lot of heat. Critics have been mashing it to bits all over Rotten Tomatoes, it's heavily divisive.  It also has a 90% FAN approval rating. 

In this case, I think we should be listening to the fans over the critics. 

Bright is not a perfect movie.  After watching it, it feels like a story half told. There is a lot of subtext present which isn't fully explained or developed but I think the presence of that subtext is interesting, because this film does not hand hold the audience with extensive back story. It lays basic ground work and what the film does that is REALLY interesting, is it expands on this back story through visual hints and small tidbits of puzzle. 

***This is not a spoiler but an instruction.***

If you pay attention to the graffiti in the opening credits, it tells you the history of these warring races. It tells you the conflicts still present. It gives hints of race relations. There is a ton of world building taking place in this tagger street art that you will completely miss if you aren't paying attention 

If you watch this movie, and I am going to highly recommend you do for a few reasons listed below, you are going to want to pay attention to the environment and the back ground as much as you do to the main characters. This movie does a ton with its background visuals that truly build up this world in some really fantastic ways. 

Now, there is still some things missing, pieces I felt were left on the cutting room floor. It might have done better as a three part mini series to build up a bit more of the present conflict, but there is a sequel coming I will definitely be watching to see where the story goes from there.

Why you should give Bright a watch:

1. We want to see more movies like this. This is a Hollywood quality movie on a streaming platform, and that is significant. Story telling standards in Hollywood Blockbusters right now rely on tried and true and rarely take chances.  Keep that door wedged open for more stories like this. For stronger stories like this.  

2.  Harsh Criticism a tad unnecessary.  This movie presents an interesting mash up of ideas, themes and genres. Not all of them work 100 % but what it does do is present a fully developed world, if imperfectly. One critic complained Bright was written by algorithm's, which is a hilarious accusation, because algorithm trends pick up on fan favorites. The critic might think the mash up is a mess, but this is an enjoyable fantastical popcorn flick and audiences recognize that. I don't think this movie is a total hot mess, and I paid close attention while watching. Which brings me to point three.

3. This movie is fun. The visuals are beautiful. There is some great banter between the characters. There are some great tongue in cheek nods to classic fantasy tropes. There is plenty of action to keep you invested. There is enough character development for you to feel the stakes for these characters. 

Now, this movie with another 30 to 40 mins to develop the story more. These are some bits left out that should have been put in there, especially concerning the Orcs. The Orcs probably have the most complex societal rules of the three main races. But overall, Bright was a very enjoyable film, perfect to relax and veg to this holiday season.

Also, the music is fantastic.