Frosty Reviews: Dungeons and Dragons! SPOILERS VERSION

Ok, y’all…you’ve had a week to see the film and I’ve considered myself generous. It’s ya man Frosty Phenix here, and I’m sharing my FULL and SPOILER FILLED thoughts of the recent film Paramount Pictures’ “Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves' '. The film, directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (partner screenwriters for 2011’s Horrible Bosses (2011) and stars a slew of familiar faces (new for some) that bring this nerd fantasy film to life. The main line up of the cast includes Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant, Chloe Coleman and Daisy Head. Without further ado, here is the FULL SPOILER FILLED personal review of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves.

The Opening Scene

For films that start off at a middle or ¼ point of the story definitely brings intrigue to the character’s stories that produced this result. Chris Pine’s Edgin and Michelle Rodriquez’ Holga find themselves in a prison and scheduled for a hearing that could determine the extension or termination of their sentence. Before their hearing, we see a Troll that tries to make itself too friendly with Rodriguez…to which her response shows how bad of an idea that was (wonder if it’s still on the floor the whole movie?). 

After an explanation of their story followed by an unnecessary prison break of shenanigan antics and results, the heroes set off on discovering what they missed for the period of time they had been locked up. This kept me intrigued as far as how they got to that point as it wasn’t what I expected, nor was the prison break and why they wanted one judge in particular to attend the hearing. Well done opening for an Action/Adventure, Fantasy genre movie. 

4 out of 5.

The Overall Story

As I mentioned before, the story revolves around Chris Pine’s character Edgin and his quest to revive his deceased wife after a decision on his part lead to her death/murder. After breaking out of prison and journeying to find the whereabouts of his daughter and the stone to revive his wife, the duo discover that their former rogue con-man teammate Forge Fitzwilliam (played by Hugh Grant) betrayed them and had spun events leading to him ruling the realm of Neverwinter with Edgin’s daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman), adopting as his own in a sense and a familiar wizard beside him as his advisor. This wizard is revealed to be Sofina (Daisy Head), the SAME wizard who was partially responsible for Edgin and Holga ending up in Revel’s End Prison in the first place, being the one that hired them to retrieve an item in a Harper Stronghold, (the horn of beckoning death). Although Edgin did accept the job, understanding that an item he sought was in the stronghold as well, a tablet that would assist in resurrecting his deceased wife. In order to save his daughter, and retrieve the tablet from Forge, Edgin and Holga seek to form a new team to break into the kingdom and steal the tablet and rescue Edgin’s Daughter. With the help of their old wizard friend Simon, and tiefling druid Doric (Sophia Lillis), they execute a recon mission where the team discovers that the item they seek is behind an enchanted door in the castle. Simon begrudgingly reveals that one powerful artifact can break the enchantment, the Helm of Disjunction. Information seeking leads them to a noble paladin, Xenk Yandar (Regé-Jean Page). As they learn he has a deep connection with the red wizards, they journey to retrieve the helm in the underdark (where Xenk hid the helm). 

As most stories do, there is doubt sown into some of the heroes for the task that has presented itself. After a pep talk and revelation by Edgin that he had cursed his family by taking a piece of treasure from the film’s true enemies to provide for his family, the team moves forward. They successfully get into the castle and Simon overcomes his limits and breaks the seal on the vault…only to find it all a trap as Forge and Sofina were planning his competition to be a distraction to make him rich AND supply the wizard with sacrifices to use an ancient spell that would lead to the eventual doom of the entire world. 

The battle ensues in the streets as the team meet Sofina’s onslaughts blow for blow, with the tables being turned as Sofina uses her Time Stop Spell that caught the team in the beginning of the movie. However, Simon was ready to counter the spell, allowing Kira to sneak up to Sofina using her invisibility pendant, equipped the wizard with an anti-magic bracelet and allow Doric’s Owl Bear Form to rag doll her around the square, flung into a rock wall and crushed under falling debris. After a fated battle had clearly been won and citizens saved from certain doom, sadly the team discovers that Holga had been fatally injured during the battle with Sofina. Edgan and Kira make the decision together to use the tablet of reawakening to revive Holga instead of Edgin’s deceased wife. The original Lord of Neverwinter awakens from his imposed slumber by Forge and Sofina, declaring the team “heroes of the realm”, Xenk catches Forge, who is tossed into Revel’s End and they all live happily ever after. 

I didn’t find any unnecessary story elements or decisions that took away from the pacing of the story. There were enough comedic elements in between the serious moments to carry the narrative. The scene with reviving the dead trolls was stretched a tad while being fairly chuckle worthy.

3.5/4 out of 5

There are about 4-6 fight scenes in this movie, each are well done graphically. 2-3 scenes were more escape type scenes than fight scenes but it’s arguable. 

Each scene has the desired result…and each of those results made sense. From Rodriguez beating the castle guards with a brick to the Paladin taking on the Wizard’s assassins, every fight was well done and fair (listen…it’s a fantasy movie…there are rules here too)

4 out of 5 

Portrayals

Actor/Actress Portrayals Each casted character played their roles very well. However, the Paladin (played by Regé-Jean Page) sold his character above and beyond the set bar in my opinion. None of the characters felt out of place and had pivotal roles in the film’s plot. 

5 out of 5

Final Thoughts

Summary of your overall thoughts of the movie, good and bad aspects. I walked into that theater with no expectations and was thoroughly entertained. Highlights of the film were definitely the graphics and a streamlined plot. Negatives of the film had to be that some of the jokes fell somewhat flat and that there was a missed opportunity to show that this story might have been an active game of D&D amongst friend…to show and encourage anyone that they can write and create a world of their own (BIG missed opportunity here)

Opening Scene: 4 out of 5

Overall Story: 3.5 out of 5

Action Elements/Special Effects: 4 out of 5

Character Portrayals: 5 out of 5

Final Score: 4.7 out of 5

“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves” is in theaters now.

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2906216/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons:_Honor_Among_Thieves