A Character Sheet Come To Life
Dungeons & Dragons, the beloved fantasy table-top role-playing game, is no stranger to its fair share of questionable adaptations. However, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is certainly not one of them. The film’s light-hearted comedy and faithful adaptation of the source material shine as bright as dragon fire.
A Campaign Brought To Life
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows unlikely heroes Edgin “Ed” Darvis (Chris Pine) and Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez) as they embark on a quest to find a lost relic. Complete with gathering a party of different classes, recognizable monsters, and undeniable camaraderie, the plot flows shockingly similar to a real D&D campaign. Even for viewers who have no background in Dungeons & Dragons, the film is easily enjoyable and understandable on its own.
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathon Goldstein, miraculously, the film avoids the pitfalls of other live-action game adaptations. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is evident that it respects the source material. It captures the game-like feeling with action and dialogue sparking the viewer’s imagination in a way the original game would. Dungeons & Dragons was originally released in 1974; this gave directors Daley and Goldstein almost 50 years of material to work with. It is a staggering task to walk the line between faithfully adapting the giant amount of source material while developing an original story. However, they were able to create a story that is engaging while showing off D&D staples in a way that is both satisfying for franchise veterans and entertaining for the general audience. The incredible casting also plays a part in the pure magnetism of the film, with Chris Pine standing out in his portrayal of a charming bard. His co-stars, Michelle Rodriguez as the barbarian Holga, Justice Smith as the amateur sorcerer Simon, and Sophia Lillis as druid Doric, also give performances that are captivatingly over-the-top, but perfectly fit within the world of the film. Daisy Head, who plays the main villain Sofina, also stands out with her ability to steal the scene whenever she appears with an imposing wickedness and striking makeup work.
Wizards and Whimsy
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a cinematic marvel in the way it combines both practical effects and seamless CGI. The award-winning FX studio, Legacy Studios (The Mandalorian, The Avengers films, Avatar: The Way of Water, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), collaborated with Industrial Light & Magic for the practical effects within the film.
The practical effects work was incredibly realistic and detailed, but never missing the whimsicality of the world of D&D. Including swinging walls, a nine-foot-tall operational bird costume, and totally transformative prosthetic work, the film has no shortage of mind-boggling practical effects. The puppetry work and fantasy setting are also reminiscent of classics such as Labyrinth (1986) and The Dark Crystal (1982), capturing the uniqueness of these older films on a modern stage. This isn’t to discredit the CGI and visual effect work either, which also blended into the film well. The effects allow the magic and monsters to shine and add an extra dose of extravagance to the fights and action. The two types of visual effects counteract each other in a way that makes the world feel insurmountably large, but focused and down-to-earth.
Composer Lorne Balfe created a soundtrack that is expectedly fantastical, crafting a score that would not feel out of place in a bard’s repertoire. With comedic bardic jingles sung by Pine himself, and intense action music that sets the stage for serious showdowns and magical misadventures, the soundtrack blends into the world seamlessly. The medieval sounds pair perfectly with the grandiose set design and effects, transporting the audience into another world entirely. The soundtrack combines synths, traditional instruments, an orchestra, and choirs to create a sound that is refreshingly modern but classic.
A Treasure Hoard Of Fun
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has themes, effects, and sounds that all showcase one important aspect, often forgotten: fun. In an interview with the Stan Winston School of Character Arts, Legacy Effects co-founder Shane Mahan said, “There have been so many medieval-set fantasy, dark films. I think we’ve been down the road of dark and dismal, you know? We never get to do a spooky sort of comedy. Not for a long time. So that was really appealing. I think it was the right choice for the fans.” The film never tries to be a gritty fantasy tale which sets itself apart from others within the fantasy genre. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves isn’t anything that hasn’t been seen before, but through well-paced action sequences, heartfelt dialogue, and incredible sound and effect work, it is a bewitching spectacle. The film is a genre-bending fantasy tale that focuses on comedic and carefree fun, casting a charm spell on the viewers.
Stream Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on Paramount+ today!
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2022) Official Paramount Pictures Trailer
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Author
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.