‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Is the Biggest Adventure of the Year Bringing Back Old School Adventure

You don’t have to play the game to enjoy this ride.

Even if you’ve never played the game, you’ve definitely heard about Dungeons and Dragons. While you may not have been one of the many who engrossed themselves in the fantasy adventure of this tabletop role-playing game, you’d have to live under a rock to have never heard any D&D references within the pop culture space. This isn’t the first time the game has been adapted, yet the 2000 film adaptation left a lot to be desired. But, if there’s anyone capable of luring these adventurers back to the theater, it’s the star-studded cast of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves that lead the audience on a thrilling ride filled with magic, heart, and fun.

Edgin Darvis the bard (Chris Pine; Wonder Woman) is a charming thief who has landed himself in prison alongside his best friend, Holga the barbarian (Michelle Rodriguez; The Fast and the Furious). They’ve been in prison for two years after a robbery gone wrong. In fact, when the film opens, we find Edgin in a dank prison cell knitting, pretty chill. And Holga is eating a potato. Instantly we see their dynamic and character personalities. It’s only uphill from here.

It’s time to appear in front of the judicial council to see if he and Holga could be pardoned and granted an early release from prison. During his petition to the council, we learn Edgin’s backstory and discover that he wasn’t always a thief. In fact, he used to be a Harper, a member of a spy organization that works for the good of all and asks nothing in return. But one day, he angered Red Wizards of Thay who retaliated which claimed the life of his wife, leaving him alone to raise his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman; Avatar: The Way of Water).

Edgin set out a plan to steal the Tablet of Reawakening to bring back his wife. The plan goes awry and Edgin and Holga are captured, but their accomplice Forge (Hugh Grant; The Gentlemen) promises to take care of Kira until Edgin can find his way back to her.

Well, that was two years go. Edgin and Holga have managed to break out of prison but, when they catch up with Forge, they find that he has used their bounty to make himself Lord of Neverwinter. Although he’s taken good care of Kira, when Edgin and Kira reunite, we can tell something is off. Forge has poisoned Kira against Edgin and not only refuses to give her back, but sentences Edgin and Holga to death.

Obviously, they escape. The film can’t stop here; there’s way too much adventure to be had. After their escape, they reunite with their old crew member Simon (Justice Smith; Jurassic World) a sorcerer. And later, they add a new member, Doric (Sophia Lillis; It), a druid.

One of the things that work well within this film is that the story feels as though they’re making it up as they go along, similar to how the game is played. When one plan fails, another is devised until they, hopefully, achieve their goal. That infusion of gameplay cause and effect helps the audience invest even more into the characters and their journey.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves transports us to an era when magic was hard and the fantasy worldbuilding felt visceral. There is no quick fix to save the day, and it truly does take teamwork.

Camp is what some of the most memorable adventure films are made of. Those one-liners and witty jokes that cause the audience to erupt in laughter fill in the gaps between the action.

Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton) was expertly cast as a Xenk, a paladin. Paladins are known for not being funny, which makes for hilarious opportunities that the writers take full advantage of.

Chris Pine continues to be Hollywood’s secret weapon. He’s an unassuming sure thing outperforming in every role he holds. I couldn’t have imagined a better leader than him. His comedic timing is impeccable, and his benevolence makes those heartwarming moments even more tender.

Plus, there is a surprise cameo that I won’t dare spoil so that you can be as tickled as I was.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the year’s biggest adventure. Don’t hesitate to bring the whole family out to see it. From start to finish, this movie is an action-packed excursion that might make you start up your own D&D game to buy time until the next film is released, which hopefully is in the works right now.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars