In 1974, a table-top game called, “Dungeons and Dragons.” A fantasy role-playing game that became popular over the years. Even though I never played a table-top game in my life, I’ve seen YouTube videos regarding gameplay elements. Four or more players create their own character, pick a class, roll a dice based on chance, use a pen and paper to track your progression, form a team to overcome obstacles etc. To this day, Dungeons and Dragons remains popular. Famous people listed are devoted players and are proud nerds.
- Vin Diesel
- Dwayne Johnson
- Mike Myers
- Terry Crews
- Pendleton Ward
- Jon Faverau
- Dan Harmon
- David Benioff & D.B. Weiss
- Trey Parker & Matt Stone
- Paul & Chris Weitz
- Cole & Dylan Sprouse
- The Duffer Brothers
- Anderson Cooper
- Wil Wheaton
- Stephen Colbert
- Moby
- Matthew Lillard
- Patton Oswalt
- Vince Vaughn
- Robin Williams (may he Rest in Peace)
- Rainn Wilson
- John C. Reilly
- Deborah Ann Woll
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Drew Barrymore
- Aubrey Plaza
- Tom Morello
- Kumail Nanjiani
- Ashley Johnson
- Taran Killam
- Steven Spielberg
- Matt Groening
- Stephen King
- Karl Urban
- Judi Dench
In 2000, Warner Bros. and its subsidiary New Line Cinema produced a film adaptation of Dungeons and Dragons starring Marlon Wayans, Thora Birch & Jeremy Irons. It was critically panned and became a commercial flop. Two Decades Later, Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to adapt a Dungeons and Dragons reboot. Filmmaking duo Jonathan Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein were recruited to direct and write the script. Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis & Hugh Grant signed on to star as the main leads.
Unlike the 2000 movie, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves earned positive reception from critics and movie goers. Although the reboot pushed back its $150 million production budget earning $207 million, Paramount failed to recoup $243 million solely on marketing costs. OUCH! Paramount Plus announced they’re working on multiple spin-off shoes set within the Dungeons and Dragons reboot.
This review contains no SPOILERS. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Victory & Defeat Aspects
Victory: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Sophia Lillis, Justice Smith & Hugh Grant all did a great job for their respective performances.
Filmmaking duo John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein both did a great job directing. They also wrote the script. You can tell how passionate they actually care about the source material. They have experience writing legit movies like “Horrible Bosses,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” & “Game Night.”
Action Sequences are spectacular.
Cinematography lacks Shaky Cam.
Lorne Balfe (Megamind, The Lego Batman Movie, Mission Impossible: Fallout) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Practical & Visual Effects were heavily involved to bring the world to life.
Pacing didn’t have any issues. My eyes were glued to the TV.
Chemistry between Edgin, Holga, Simon & Doric serves as the main highlight. They must work together if they want to pull the biggest heist of their lives.
Humor has plenty of Funny Moments that made me laugh. My favorite part is when the gang ask five questions to a few corpses.
Each character has an interested backstory. None of ’em weren’t annoying as heck like Marlon Wayans in the 2000 version.
Character Development involving Edgin, as the movie progresses, he becomes a dignified leader and responsible father looking after his daughter Kira.
Daley stated the reboot is influenced by “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy,” “Indiana Jones,” “Monty Python” & “The Princess Bride.”
Bradley Cooper makes a cameo appearance.
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello makes a cameo too. Don’t believe me? Look it up. Tom’s also a Dungeons and Dragons player.
A Mid-Credits Scene is played for laughs.
Defeat: Most of the Visual Effects are a hit and miss.
The Final Verdict: A-
I didn’t expect Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves to be this good. A near-perfect faithful adaptation of the table-top game ten times better than the 2000 version. If you’re a Dungeons and Dragons gamer or never played the game, stream it on Paramount Plus. Definitely worth your spare time. I consider Honor Among Thieves as one of the best movie reboots along with “Batman Begins,” “Casino Royale,” “The Incredible Hulk,” J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Dredd” & “Kong: Skull Island.” I’m looking forward to Paramount Plus’ multiple Dungeons and Dragons shows. I think the franchise could be the streaming service’s killer app.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 