Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

This fun comedy-action movie by Paramount Pictures is now available in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 14 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

Even if you’ve never played the Dungeons & Dragons table game or don’t know what that is, you’re going to get a kick out of this charming action, adventure movie! It’s about a thief and a band of unlikely characters who embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic with magical powers, but things go dangerously awry when villains get in the way.

The film was directed beautifully by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who always wrote the script with Michel Gilio. It has already won the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival this year!

THINGS I LIKED:

I was thrilled to attend a press screener for film critics and some ticket winners where the studio gave away prizes, themed cookies, free popcorn, and even hired a guy to play mandolin in the theater while we waited for the movie to begin! People dressed in costumes and snapped pics in front of the big banner designed for the event. It certainly put us all in the mood for a great time and a great time it was.
Back when I was a teenager, only a few of my classmates played D&D. They were considered oddball nerds. Nowadays, everyone plays it and all are welcome. The audience I watched the movie with included all types and ages and everyone had a complete blast.
This spirited movie definitely captured the great imagination the D&D game and its players are known for.
The fantastic cast includes fan favorites like Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Chloe Coleman, as well as Rege-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Daisy Head, and so many more. They all looked like they were having a total blast, which always makes it even more fun for audiences.
Bradley Cooper, YES! His scene was a huge hit with the audience and made everyone laugh with glee.
I’m such a huge Chris Pine fan. He’s fantastic in this role and we even get to see him sing a little bit. For a fantastic musical number that he sings, watch the movie Into The Woods!
Lots of humor. There’s something magical about being in a packed theater and hearing audiences laugh with delight.
Hugh Grant was a scene-stealer. He’s also fantastic in the recent movie out called Operature Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.
Incredible world-building and landscape designs. The cinematography and special effects are truly magical.
Hasbro was involved with the movie, so I’m guessing we’re going to see a lot of toys and merchandising for this movie.
Fun costume design.
The action sequences are frequent, playful, and extremely entertaining. There is a crazy, impressive one-take shot that lasted an unbelievably long time and gave me goosebumps.
The movie truly feels like a quest and is a perfect tribute to the spirit of D&D.
Great set pieces that transport you to an unknown, magical land.
I kind of felt like I had spent the day at a Renaissance Festival.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There’s no explanation about how and why there is magic. It’s D&D! No explanation is required, right? Just go with it and don’t overthink anything.
There is SO much exposition throughout the entire movie, which can be exhausting. On the other hand, it’s needed because so many things happen that require an explanation.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some profanity
Destruction
Violence
Subtitles need to be read when a made-up language is spoken.

THEMES:

Hope
Persistence
Never give up on yourself
Loyalty
Friendship
Love

FUNNY LINES:

“I wasn’t scared, merely startled.” – Simon (Justice Smith)
“Just because that sentence was symmetrical doesn’t make it not nonsensical.” – Edgin (Chris Pine)
“Protect this with your very life.” – Xenk (Rege-Jean Page) “I will. Hold this.” – Edgin (Chris Pine)
“There’s worse things than dying.” – Edgin (Chris Pine)

INTERESTING LINES:

“All that matters is what we do with what remains.” – Xenk (Rege-Jean Page)
“When he lost your mother, he sort of lost himself.” – Forge (Hugh Grant)
“The fact that you see good in me means there might just be.” – Forge (Hugh Grant)