Review: 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' is the right example of escapism into a fantasy world

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The word 'Dungeons & Dragons' continues to be familiar for many out there but gives an adrenaline to the gamers, who continue to enjoy the fantasy game, which is one of the oldest ones. While multiple films on the game has been made already, how do you make a film on a fantasy world that is relevant, entertaining and just good-old fun in 2023? Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein present the answer for you in the form of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Having had the chance to see the film beforehand, here is what I thought about it-

Good Humor Can Never Go Wrong

I mean, the best tool to adapt and also the riskiest tool to work with in any motion picture is - humor. When done right, it becomes the driving force for even a mediocre film and when done wrong, it tanks what could have been a good film. Luckily for D&D, it always works. The self-aware punchlines that the character of Edgin The Bard (Chris Pine) is given are some of the funniest ones and it helps that an actor with the impeccable comic timing and charm like that of Pine is the one delivering them. Apart from that, the situational humor, characters taking digs at each other and even some running gags also help elevate the film and keep you chuckling throughout.

The Perfect Balance of Fantasy & Drama

What the director duo is so incredible with here is that in an attempt to gloss-up the fantasy attached to this world, they don't compromise on the core human emotions of the ensemble of characters. Be it Holga's (Michelle Rodriguez) backstory with a brilliant Bradley Cooper cameo, be it sorcerer Simon (Justin Smith) and his struggle to be a better magician, or be it the charming Hugh Grant as Forge going bad, everyone has a human trait attached and the same is written intricately to give it space to be explored. 

Add to that, some breath-taking and mind-boggling visuals of the insane amount of VFX attached to this film in an attempt to create a total fantasy world. The dungeons are crazier and the dragons are scarier as plot developments take place. You cannot help but marvel how the creators and the team attached to films like these manage to achieve these levels of excellence in what is mostly working around a green screen.

The Cinematography & Performances

Barry Peterson's cinematography is top-notch where his ability to capture the thrilling action and blistering elements along with some fine landscape visuals is fantastic. The one scene of Doric's (Sophia Lillis) transformation and trying to escape the castle is almost a long one-take shot which is done brilliantly. 

And while all factors indeed come together to make this world believable, it wouldn't have been possible without the amazing performances by the ensemble. We talked about the lovable Chris Pine already but working as the perfect offset is warrior-like but tender at heart Holga, played by Michelle Rodriguez. The boyish charm of Simon, played by Justin Smith and the cluelessness but bravura of Doric, played by Sofia Lillis is spot on. Rege-Jean Page as Xenk has the perfect extended cameo and exhibits his charm and then you have the bad guys, played superbly by a goofy Hugh Grant as Forge, and a mythical red wizard, Sofina, played spectacularly by Daisy Head. This primary cast along with an array of other actors, the CGI generated animals come together to make this world believable, relatable and just good fun.

The Verdict

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves makes you laugh, care, feel and most importantly be transported into an entirely make-believe fantasy world with sorcerers, games, politics and jaw-dropping moments. The only one factor that I felt where it lacked was a few portions of shoddiness in the CGI, which became a little too obvious. Even then, the film is just the kind of escapism you need when you're sitting in a theatre willing to be on a ride into a fantasy world as you witness some drama, action, humor and have a bloody-good time.

Rating - **** (4/5)