Set in a world where orcs, humans and elves coexist we follow LAPD cops Ward (Will Smith) and Jakoby (Joel Edgerton unrecognisable under orc make up) on an eventful shift.

The Netflix Original film starts with a promising title sequence attempting to give us thousands of years of back story – orcs sided with the dark lord 2000 years ago and are now treated as under classes, elves control all the money and humans just seem to do the normal jobs. From there it swiftly falls apart and becomes one of the most dreary, unfunny, uninteresting films made this year.

There is a lot of world building lore talked about. Magic using “Brights”, orcish tribes and magic cults. Equally there are attempts at racial conversations in relation to the hierarchies between race. All things that could be eminently interesting. But actually all the film is interested in is being a day in the life of two beat cops who don’t get on but grow to respect each other. Along the way there are darkly lit shoot outs, a lot of swearing and unfunny interactions between the partners.

Director David Ayer is known for his films about the LAPD. He has written no less than 5 features revolving around them; Training Day, Dark Blue, S.W.A.T, Harsh Times and End of Watch. And directed the last 2 of these as well as Street Kings. So it comes as no surprise that his focus is on this as a cop film. What does come as a surprise is that writer Max Landis seems to have so blatantly based his screenplay on Ayer’s Training Day that Ayer wanted to be involved.

Ultimately though any of the films I’ve mentioned would be more interesting to watch. The fantasy element is wasted so much here that you would be better placed watching a more accomplished LAPD film featuring corrupt cops and partners.