Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most important role-playing game franchises of all time, as well as being the title of a cartoon series from the eighties that many (myself included) remember with great nostalgia. However, it remained for this magical world to make the leap to the big screen, the terrain that it still had to conquer.
This is how “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” comes to us, a film that brings us a fantasy world full of humor, which seeks to bring us fresh characters in a proposal that is pure entertainment.
At times, it can fall into some other commonplace of this type of popcorn productions, with the occasional somewhat generic villain and some moments that are a bit rushed, but the film does not seek to deceive anyone, what it seeks is for us to have a good time , having fun at the movies.
The film tells the story of Edgir Darvis, a bard with an ironic personality who must recover his daughter and a treasure that will allow him to revive his wife, while he must face an old thief colleague who has tarnished his name. For this, the character must gather a group of the most varied, among them a powerful warrior, a magician who does not trust and a druid who does not trust humans.
This team of outcasts and misfits will have to achieve their goal while trying to get along and overcome their own internal conflicts, but always surrounded by situations of great comedy and good humor. This is reminiscent of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, but in a magical world that gives glimpses of 80s fantasy movies (like Willow’s The Neverending Story).
It also stands out that we do not have a typical conflict where the hero must rescue his girlfriend, but we see that the protagonist is a father who tries to make amends for his past mistakes with his daughter. Trust and redemption will be the big themes of the film.
A magic world
One of the great achievements of the film is giving us a glimpse of the huge and rich wonderful world of role-playing games. But, don’t worry, if you’re not a fan of these games, it doesn’t matter. The film gives you the necessary tools to understand the mythology of this world, in a very entertaining way.
However, if you know a little about this fantastic universe, you will see details and winks in each scene, from mentions to surprising places or creatures. Truly a gift for every fan of the franchise.
In addition, the film knows how to put the powers and magic of this world on screen in a very creative way, achieving scenes that will transport us fully to this fabulous universe (a notable moment is the escape of a certain character with the ability to become different animals. A scene to remember).
An impressive cast
Dungeons and Dragons has a cast of stars, some already established and others on the rise. Thus we have names like Chris Pine (Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman), who plays the protagonist and charismatic leader of this group of thieves. Also the well-known Michelle Rodríguez (from the Fast and Furious saga), giving life to Olga, the grumpy warrior who accompanies the bard on all her adventures.
In addition to Pine and Rodríguez, the cast includes Regé-Jean Page (The Bridgertons), Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Dominion), Hugh Grant (Fortune Operation: The Great Hoax) and Sophia Lillis (known for playing Beberly Marsh in It . Episode 2). Really a cast that lives up to the study’s commitment to start this franchise.
On the other hand, to play the villain of the installment, we have the great Hugh Grant, whom you will surely remember from movies like “A Place Called Nothing Hill.” Here we see Grant in a role quite different from what we are used to, while maintaining his usual charisma.
fantasy mood
One of the great successes of the film is its well-orchestrated humor. Far from fantastic sagas that seek to be more solemn and dramatic (Game of Thrones or The Witcher are some more current examples), the proposal of Dungeons and Dragons is to explore this colorful world of magic and sorcery hand in hand with comedy. The irony and charisma of Pine’s character will carry a large part of the film’s humor, but we will also see large doses of comedy in the delirious situations in which our heroes will find themselves in order to achieve their objective (pay attention to a certain moment in which they must “talk with the deceased”).
However, despite the tone of the film, the situation becomes serious when it is necessary. Either in the battles or in the emotional moments that the tape delivers. That’s why unlike other movies where they don’t know how far to go with comedy, Dungeons & Dragons proves to have found the ideal balance.
A little nostalgic:
As many of us who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s will remember, Dungeons & Dragons was a beloved animated series. Although this new film does not adapt the characters from said series, we do have more than one reference to it. There is even a moment when lovers of this animation will jump in their seats. The hit of nostalgia is assured.
Conclusion
Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves is an entertaining movie with fast-paced humor and fast-paced action. It captivates with its history, its fabulous world and its endearing characters. Without a doubt, one of the biggest surprises of the season.
