Hailed by some critics as the worst movie of 2017, I clearly had to see this. And I have no idea what they saw. Will Smith plays a police officer in basically modern time Los Angeles. However, in this world, elves and fairies and orcs are part of the population. Smith's partner is the first Orc police officer ever, the result of a newly instituted diversity program. And since Orcs supported the Dark Lord centuries ago, they are the one race despised by all. Add to this racial drama magic wands, terrorists, and typical gang controlled neighborhoods. Granted, this isn't academy award level acting or writing. But for the fantasy nerds out there, this reminded me of The Word and the Void trilogy that was built out of the Shannara world. Buy into the evolution of races where humans aren't the only ones to survive as an opening premise, and then imagine what life might be like. Of course the elves are the wealthy, pretentious upper class. Of course the orcs are despised. But beyond this, I loved the dialogue with the chief orc about how he really is just misunderstood as he tries to throw an inter-racial party. I tolerated the over-the-top magical evil girl. I appreciated the cheesy buddy-cop banter. I enjoyed the small details (fairies attacking the birdfeeder, deep hole under orc-land, bumbling orc super strength, etc.).
4 stars (out of 5)
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