
We're back with our second in-theater viewing unhelpful review and what better way to be unhelpful than to watch a movie based on a beloved game I've never played?
Today's review is of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. I know enough about the game to know I'd probably like it if I ever found a group to play with. It sounds like a lot of fun but for now, this movie, that's probably only kind of like the game, will have to do.
And I did get the chance to see it in theaters. I'm cat-sitting for my sister and needed something to do in the evening. I learned that we are on our tenth Fast and Furious movie. How much money do those movies actually pull in? Who's still watching this franchise? I'm very interested in finding a dissertation-level analysis of the Fast and Furious franchise. Car-go-vroom has some wild staying power.
Anyway, let's get back to the review.
Briefly, and Without Spoilers
A plucky team of thieves find themselves facing their most dangerous job yet: a score beyond their wildest dreams, rescuing one of their own, and confronting one of the most powerful wizards alive. Even with the odds stacked against them, they quickly realize they can't simply walk away.
Based on the popular tabletop role-playing game, and written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (with additional writing credits to Michael Gilio), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves offers a fun, fantasy film for both avid D&D players and newbies alike.
What's a Paladin? (Spoilers Ahead!!)
So I clearly can't comment on how well the movie adheres to the game, and frankly, I'm sure the answer is very loosely. Games can be difficult to bring to the silver screen and it's my understanding that one of the beautiful things about D&D is that you're never really playing the same game twice. Sure, the building blocks are mostly the same, but how you use them changes from one game to the next.
Which means we'll be judging this movie based on its ability to be a movie, and to that I say it was a good time. You guys know how I feel about simple stories and, even though there were quite a few characters and side quests, as it were, I feel like there was a clear end goal that drove the plot forward the entire time.

And, unlike some book-to-movie adaptations, I thought this film was easy to follow, even having very little knowledge of the source material. The story was pretty good about not getting bogged down in some of the details, succinctly explaining the parts of the world you definitely needed to understand, and simplifying what I assume are some of the more complex character attributes of the game.
But I must say, there's one question I've always had about D&D: what is a paladin? I've heard this word both in the conversations I've had about the game, and Xenx (Regé-Jean Page) is identified as a paladin. So for everyone else who's confused, I've looked it up:
A paladin, in historical terms, was the title given to elite knights in King Charlemagne's court during the 8th century C.E. In D&D, it is a holy knight with some magical power.
Now we all know.
A Plucky Crew
I thought the actors did a great job and balanced each other well. I still don't believe Chris Pine as a father, even though I'm pretty sure he's in his forties, but his interactions with Kira (Chloe Coleman) and even with Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) felt natural. I'm a big fan of Michelle Rodriguez as whatever burly species she was supposed to be, and I also liked Sophia Lillis as Doric.
But honestly, I think the story that really shined was Simon, played by Justice Smith. His was the real hero's journey, and frankly if the entire story had just been about him, I still would've loved it. I'd go so far as to say he could have been the protagonist and it would have made for an even more excellent story. Compared to his arc, I don't know what anyone else accomplished. Except I guess Chris Pine gets his daughter back. Still not as exciting as watching Simon go from petty sorcerer thief to him facing down Sofina (Daisy Head).
Speaking of Sofina, Daisy Head was excellent. You know what? Throw out everyone else. I just want a story about Simon versus Sofina. A young sorcerer finds the strength to live up to his family name and take down the evil Red Wizard. I'm so into it.
"So I'm Going to Leave the Room"
Of course there are things I can pick apart. Starting with the women. I feel like they could have done so much more with them. Introducing Holga's ex and referencing her history are fine, but we just don't see that as much as we see the development in the men. Same goes for Doric. There's a clear history and emotional stake we could get into, but kind of don't. I feel like I needed less backstory from Edgin (Chris Pine) and more from the women.

It also had what I call the "okay, bye" effect. It's where you introduce something, keep it around for a while, and then it leaves. And everyone just says, "Okay, bye." I kind of felt this way about Xenx. They kind of set him up as the savior they needed, but then didn't use. I see the value in this in terms of character development, but it also makes me wonder why bother with him at all? What did he ultimately contribute to the team? He kind of helped Edgin grow, but I also feel like if you removed him from the equation, things would have been fine. I think there was supposed to be a moment for Edgin to overcome his prejudices against this race of people that had been cursed by the Red Wizards, but then he doesn't use that lesson later, so I don't see the point in him learning it. Except that it's generally good to overcome your own internal biases.
We're also still apparently on the dry-humor-silliness-band-of-misfits-happy-fun-time train. And honestly, I don't hate it. It's funny, it's entertaining, and I laughed several times during the movie. But are we headed to a point where we'll be sick of the Guardians of the Galaxy effect? Maybe.
Watch It and Make Merry
Even so, it was a good time. There were a couple of kids in the theater with the rest of us and they clearly loved it. And frankly, I think everyone else did, too, as did I. I can't speak for the D&D community, but I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it for a fun Friday night activity.
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