While I love a good board game, Dungeons and Dragons doesn’t appeal to me. In fact, I would say I have negative views of the franchise.
That all changed when I saw the trailer depicting a humorous actioned packed adventure with a strong cast. All of a sudden, my interest was piqued.
For those not in the know, Dungeons and Dragons (abbreviated to D&D for those really in the know) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game where the players form an adventuring party, embarking on epic quests and leveling up in experience with the help of a Dungeon Master (the narrator) and dice.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) and his merry band of thieves as they set out on a quest to try and right their wrongs after a heist goes sideways. Magic, mayhem and merriment ensue, both for the characters and for viewers.
The irreverent and yet heartwarming script is brought to life by a blockbuster cast including Michelle Rodriguez as Holga Kilgore, Regé-Jean Page as Xenk Yendar and Hugh Grant as Forge Fitzwilliam.
The film has been likened to Monty Python with a touch of the heart and silliness of The Princess Bride and the grand scale of Lord of the Rings. Fun and at times chaotic, the movie captures the joy and improvisational nature of a real D&D campaign, or so I’ve been told by players.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is for almost everyone
The film’s writers and co-directors, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein designed the movie to appeal to D&D players with numerous nods to characters and places from the D&D world, but it’s also meant to appeal to newcomers and even those who might be anti-fantasy.
And truly, you really don’t need to have any knowledge of the lore, rules or to have even played D&D to not only follow the film, but to enjoy it. The action and humour are fast paced and it has a surprising amount of heart thanks in particular to the familial bonds represented between Holga, Edgin and his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman).
While the action isn’t particularly gruesome there are some scenes that might be disturbing for younger viewers including the rituals that the Red Wizards of Thay perform, armies of the undead and a bloody hand that Red Wizard Sofina (Daisy Head) conjures in a battle sequence. Overall, the movie is light and fun however parents and guardians, particularly with children under 13, should be discerning about whether this movie is appropriate viewing for their family.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is rated M and is in cinemas 30th March 2023.
Feature Image: Movie Publicity / dungeonsanddragons.com.au
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