The world of Dungeons & Dragons has had a significant impact on gaming culture. Originally introduced by Gary Gygax in 1974, the tabletop game has influenced both tabletop and video games alike. Even today, many games use rulesets and settings from the imaginative world of might and magic. Games like Neverwinter, Baldur’s Gate, and Pillars of Eternity are just a few examples of the many games that have been inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Despite nearly fifty years since its creation, there has yet to be a proper Dungeons & Dragons movie – until now.
At a time when cinematic universes are struggling, and superhero movies are becoming tired, there is a need for something new. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves expertly fills this void with grandeur and passion. A contemporary fantasy epic, the film is a tour-de-force that is both captivating and heartfelt. The adventure is unforgettable, leaving you reciting poetry from The Bard long after you leave the theater.
A Realm Unfolds
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves takes place in the Forgotten Realms campaign and follows the story of Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), an honorable thief and bard, and Olga (Michelle Rodriguez), a fierce barbarian, who are held captive in a frozen prison for a botched heist two years prior. Determined to reclaim their freedom and seek revenge, the duo escapes and recruits an unlikely crew of misfits to execute a daring heist. As they journey through a world of magic and fantasy, they encounter heroes turned villains and devilish powers lurking in the shadows.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a refined epic that delivers all the necessary ingredients for an enjoyable movie, while still being simple and grand at the same time. The film strikes a perfect balance between wit, comedy, and intense action, without sacrificing the story. The fantasy world of humans and creatures is presented without overwhelming exposition, allowing the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the story. The film finds the right moments to say what needs to be said, and show what needs to be shown, resulting in a well-crafted and captivating cinematic experience.
Create Your Character
For a setting like Dungeons & Dragons, characters and chemistry is profoundly important. A quintessential element to Dungeons & Dragons is the experience of grabbing friends together and embarking on quests abide by a set of rules but are oftentimes unpredictable. The experience is made better when strangers become comrades during their quest. For a movie bearing the name, this particular epic fantasy could not be done with a tried-and-true formula. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves had to be an experience that felt as if it were pulled straight from the pages of The Forgotten Realm and feature relatable characters whose chemistry was just as good as their wit and skill. Director’s John Goldstein and John Daley succeeded in creating this vision.
Chris Pine gives it his all as The Bard and Honorable Thief. He is flawed but fluid, attempting to think ahead of his foes but oftentimes take a half-step to the side. He is no buffoon however. While he ma not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he has his strengths, from singing poetry to planning out of danger. Michelle Rodriguez gains a huge height as a barbarian, using her strength and brawn to overcome armed soldiers. Some may roll their eyes at the prospect of Michelle being in another action role that could turn into another franchise. Fortunately, she takes far more of lead this time around as opposed to being among an ensemble of secondary characters. She takes charge and it is great to see her have an integral arc to the story.
Companions through the Dark
Ed’s and Holga’s mission bring us to stellar supporting characters. Justice Smith is a Simon Aumar the sorcerer, albeit one with questionable skill and self-esteem. He stands firm among the team as an equal whose chemistry and magic powers flow well. Doric is a tiefling druid, whose shapeshifting abilities make for many impressive moments in the 2 hour and 20 minute long epic. Like Simon, she stands among the team and uses her powers in various ways. Between Simon and Doric, there is amazement and excitement at the use of their powers. In one moment, Simon shifts gravity to spectacular effect and Doric goes through a kaleidoscope of forms during one incredible chase sequence. Accompanying this cast is Hugh Grant as Forge, a Rogue whose behavior is befitting of his class. Hugh does an excellent job combining sarcasm and the obvious in an entertaining manner, all the while having a smirking grin on screen that simply works with his role. Regé-Jean Page is Xenek, a paladin with great knowledge and skill. Regé provides a cool and calculated path of thoughts among the banter of the team.
At the center of these characters is a plot that genuinely feels true to the Dungeons & Dragons experience. The story begins one way and changes significantly throughout its runtime, similar to the gameplay experience. What starts off as a rescue mission can soon be interpreted a a grand heist or revenge tale. The trick is all works together in a methodical fashion that is neither overwhelming nor complicated. It keeps the audience guessing as to what will happen next and what surprises may be uncovered but it doesn’t take the audience into a mystifying swirl that takes away from the experience. The story structure isn’t perfect. There are flashbacks sequences and the overall goal changes during the journey. This can lead to some confusion among audiences but they’ll be having too much of a great time with the action set pieces and humor to notice.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a film that will capture the hearts of both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. The characters are the driving force behind the story, and the ensemble cast delivers authentic and nuanced performances that are a joy to watch. Ed and Holga’s storyline is particularly moving and has a satisfying payoff that will tug at your heartstrings. The script successfully balances action and emotion, creating characters that are relatable and embody the spirit of adventure. The team’s camaraderie and willingness to work together, even through disagreements, is a refreshing and inspiring sight to see. The movie captures the essence of what has made Dungeons & Dragons a beloved game for decades and brings it to life on the big screen. The passion and enthusiasm of the cast and crew are evident in every scene, making this film a must-see for any fan of the genre. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that is sure to leave audiences cheering for more.
The world of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves feels lived in and alive. A tremendous array of practical and sharp visual effects bring The Forgotten Realms alive. The movie takes sweeping shots of its world, as it should as it was filmed in Iceland. Vast vistas of earth and land bring a sense of aw and wonder to the world. There is even an exciting moment in front of Fagradalsfjall, the real-life active volcano. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves even has appearance of different species such as Lizardfolk and Kenku, done with practical execution. Fight sequences have weight and heft. Holga’s brawn, in particular, is on display in a clear and focused manner without too much shaky cam or quick editing, making for satisfying action pieces.
The CGI is done right. Doric, in particular, has incredible moments with her shapeshifting and transformation abilities. Castles reach into the sky and dungeons are alit through the fiery terror of magma. Spellcasting feels believable and intricate as opposed to a gesture of waving hands and things happening. The final act features an array of incredible effects in particular for mythic beasts to powerful usage of magic. Punctuating this excitement is a resounding and modern score from composer Lorne Balfe that mixes traditional orchestra with electric tempo. Finally, there are some delightful moments where Ed goes all in on his bard abilities and sings a catchy tune.
It can be argued that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves may have cracked the Marvel formula. There will undoubtedly be those that try to grasp at straws and compare Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves to Guardians of The Galaxy or any one of Marvel’s team-based films. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves couldn’t be any more different with its fantasy medieval setting and more grounded characters. In regards to the overall execution, it is quite possible that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves may have truly defeated the formula and is set to be the next big franchise.
There is a refinement to its structure. There is a believability to its characters. There is no underlying messaging or obvious statement the movie is trying to make but to immerse oneself in this world and have enjoyment as grand as its adventure. It’s a moviegoers movie and an epic one at that. Characters and story are put at the center of the tale. There is no reaching for expanded universe or teases to things. The movie was clearly made with the audience in mind and is entirely reachable. A prior knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons is not necessary to enjoy the movie. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is very much its own experience. Whether this takes off as a franchise remains to be seen, though there was a clear tip of the hat to Avengers during the climax.
Verdict:
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is not just another fantasy movie, nor is it a shallow advertisement for the game. Instead, it’s a grand epic adventure that taps into the adventurer in all of us. The film revolves around a group of strangers who band together to overcome obstacles and celebrate their victories, all while accompanied by the whimsical tunes of The Bard. I was completely engrossed in this tale, and I’m left wanting more. If this is just the beginning of a larger story, count me in and ready to roll for initiative. I can only imagine the incredible stories waiting to be told.
Dungeons & Dragons fans have waited a long time for a movie like this. This film caters to every player who has rolled the dice, created their own characters, and spent countless hours at the table adventuring through worlds. It’s a movie that truly celebrates the essence of the game and the spirit of adventure. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves finds its greatest strength in the bond between strangers, who share a common goal and work together to achieve it. I raise a drink and sing a song in celebration of this movie.
The film boasts a solid core, sublime chemistry among the characters, and incredible action set pieces that are a feast for the eyes. The sense of scale is awe-inspiring, and the story keeps you guessing with its twists and turns. While there are some flashback sequences that may confuse the audience, the action and humor more than make up for it. All in all, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a great quest, well played.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was screened early on March 19th through a Fan Early Screening promotion by Paramount. The movie was screened at AMC Theaters in Brick New Jersey.
