Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a 20/20

I am by no means a player of Dungeons and Dragons or DnD for short. My knowledge of the game is more peripheral - my brother and best friend are avid players, my roommate listens to DnD podcasts all the time, and I’ve made a character sheet or two for fun. But I am a Pine Nut (aka a Chris Pine stan) and a lover of a fun fantasy movie, so as soon as I saw the trailer for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I knew I was in for a treat. And I’m happy to say the movie did not disappoint.

If you are a DnD fan, the movie is chock full of references and lore for you to enjoy. It really brings the world of DnD to life, from the characters to the wildlife to the Forgotten Realms setting. The plot itself mimics a campaign, which is the adventure a group of players (or party) embarks upon during the tabletop role-playing game. Now keep in mind it's not a perfect campaign (but what campaign ever is?), and aspects of it might leave some die-hard fans disappointed. For example, the film lacks a cleric, meaning there was no healer in the party. At the end of the day, though, it is a stellar adaptation that shows the effort they put into bringing DnD to the screen in a lighthearted, loveable way.

If you are not a DnD fan or are just starting to get interested in it, don’t worry! My favorite part of the movie is how accessible it is for people with no DnD background. The fantastical landscapes, magical characters, and action-based plot read like any other movie in the fantasy genre (think Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones). While you might not be able to pick out references, Honor Among Thieves doesn’t rely upon you knowing them to be understandable. The antics and quippy dialogue of the thieving cast quickly draw you in and will get you laughing in your seat. By not taking itself too seriously, the movie manages to blend camp and drama in an extremely well-crafted way. And, of course, Chris Pine looks (and sounds) stunning as the bard and party leader.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves surprised me with how well done a movie it is. Fun and fresh, it is a true crowd-pleaser that will leave DnD and non-DnD fans alike wanting more!

Writer: Sarah Moloney

Artist: Solymar Estrella