Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role playing game developed in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Ameson for Tactical Studies Rules, Inc (TSR) and later by Wizards of the Coast (now a subsidiary of Hasbro). Credited as the originator of modern role-playing games, its success has led to a boom in the gaming industry and heavily influenced video games as well as establishing pop cultural significance. Once thought of as only something “nerds” participated in, the change in societal acceptance of the fantasy genre has made D&D a bankable commodity. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the second major motion picture and attempt to reboot the franchise, from an earlier 2000 movie which spawned two direct to video sequels.

Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) a bard and barbarian Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez) return home after escaping their two-year imprisonment, only to find the Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman) has been turned against him by former teammate Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant) who, with the help of an evil red wizard named Sofina (Daisy Head), has become the ruler of the kingdom of Neverwinter.  In order to rescue Kira and redeem their names, Edgin and Holga plan to break into Neverwinter’s vault during a huge event to steal a tablet that would allow Edgin to resurrect his deceased wife and become a family again.  The pair convince the unconfident wizard Simon Aumar (Justice Smith) and shapeshifting tiefling druid, Doric (Sophia Lillis) to help on their quest.  Also lending assistance is lawful good paladin Xenk Yendar (Rege-Jean Page), who helps them acquire an object that is necessary for the completion of their quest. But their journey becomes much bigger when it is discovered Sofina, has much bigger plans than just plundering the rich people of the land.  Can Edgin and his band of misfits stop the powerful sorceress, or will they take a critical damage and succumb?  Watch and find out!

The best way I can describe this film is, “Not as good as it could have been, but better than I thought it would be”.  I was very happily surprised by how much I liked this film.  It is a good-natured comedy with some great fight scenes and some emotional depth.  The production value was okay, but some of the CGI appeared a bit cartoonish.  The cast was well chosen and likeable.  Chris Pine is charming as Edgin and Michelle Rodriguez does what she does best in a film and kicks some ass!  I was surprisingly drawn to Justice Smith’s character Simon, who nailed the comic timing and the self-loathing, but in a endearing kind of way.  Likewise, Sophia Lillis’ Doric is likeable and relatable.  Rege-Jean Page was surprisingly funny and appropriately charismatic. Hugh Grant is just smarmy enough to be both funny and despised. The storyline takes the team on multiple adventures as they gather what they need for their quest, where this could have felt a bit chaotic, it worked really well in this film keeping the rhythm of the movie moving at a good pace. I laughed a bit, cried a little as the movie did suck me into its world and took me on the same journey the characters went on.  Not a perfect film by any means, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Released in theatres on March 31^st, 2023, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was digitally released on May 2^nd, 2023. The film’s budget was $150 million, and it made $194 million, so not necessarily a “Block Buster” but it has at least made a profit. What does the future hold instore for the newest D&D franchise: In 2022, a television series was announced that would take place in the same universe and complement the film.  The show is described as the “flagship” and “cornerstone” live-action series of multiple projects in development, although there is no sequel to the film currently being produced.