Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
If Hedwig and Buckbeak from Harry Potter had a baby, I’d imagine it would look something like the ‘Owl-bear’ from the 2023 fantasy film ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’. Although, well, just like the tabletop games, the world-building in ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ obviously looks more like it’s from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe. You have halflings (hobbits), elves, orcs, sorcerers, shapeshifters, and a range of other fantastical creatures appearing throughout the 2-hour 14-minute film.
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ stars Chris Pine as primary protagonist Edgin, a thief languishing in prison with his BFF Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), and the two plot to break out of the dungeon to reunite with Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman). However, Kira is under the wing of the villainous Forge (Hugh Grant) and the powerful sorcerer Sofina (Daisy Head), so Edgin must go on a quest to retrieve an ancient magical relic that can help him defeat Forge and Sofina.
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First off, I really enjoyed a lot of the fantasy world-building in “Dungeons and Dragons,” from its mystical forests and magical caves to grand castles – it’s a visual spectacle of sorts. Even though I was hoping to see more dragons! It’s in the title, isn’t it? Although there’s a scene where a stone dragon comes to life in the movie that was quite epic. In some bits the special effects feel choppy, like in the character designs of large human-like cat characters who briefly appear in the film and look out of a 3D game, but otherwise the VFX were well-done.
Chris Pine is not as ‘charming’ as the script needed him to be as a Robin Hood sort of thieving hero. Michelle Rodriguez, as the Xena-style warrior Holga, was far more entertaining, especially when she is fighting big guys and bringing them down to their knees. Regé-Jean Page as Xenk, a Thayan (a nation ruled by dreaded red wizards) who helps Edgin and Holga find their relic, was very entertaining as an adventurous hero with a golden heart. I would’ve liked to see a little more of Xenk in “Dungeons and Dragons”; maybe he should get his own spinoff movie. Some of the other supporting characters don’t have enough screen time to grow on you, although Hugh Grant is quite delightful as the deceptively greedy Forge, who weirdly enjoys playing father to Kira after turning her against her father Edgin. Daisy Head as sorceress Sofina doesn’t have a lot of dialogues, she is the quiet, introverted villain, who does the speaking with her eyes. Her portrayal of the formidable magic-wielder felt like a cross between Hela from the “Thor” movies and the Bene Gesserit from the “Dune” universe.
For those who aren’t familiar with fantasy tropes and creatures, or well, with ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ in general, the film could feel slightly overwhelming with its information overdose on the various species and creatures that inhabit its fictional world. I was watching it with family, and they stopped watching it midway because they aren’t fantasy enthusiasts and didn’t find the plot engaging enough. “Is this based on those famous J.K. Rowling books?” one of them asked, and I had to laugh and say no.
So, basically, ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is likely to prove more fun for traditional fantasy fans, while others might not enjoy it as much.
Rating: 7 out of 10. You can stream the film on Netflix.
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