Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Movie Review

Dungeons and Dragons, a common yet complex roleplaying game enjoyed by millions of players every year, now has its second movie adaptation, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The cast is headlined by celebrity actor Chris Pine, who plays main character Edgin Darvis, alongside actor Michelle Rodriguez who plays Holga Kilgore. The main antagonist Forge Fitzwilliam is played by Hugh Grant. Edgin and Holga, along with others, embark on a quest together to find Edgin’s daughter, Kira, and to stop Forge and his team from achieving their evil goals. Along the way they come across many different personalities and characters, some antagonizing, and must persevere to accomplish their goal of reuniting with Kira.

Throughout the movie, one thing becomes abundantly evident and obvious, which is the corny and quick-witted jokes and acts. Although the movie isn’t produced by Marvel, it certainly has a Marvel-esque feel to it. It feels like every scene, no matter the seriousness, is accompanied by facetious humor. Despite the somewhat heavy and emotional scenes, there is never a looming darkness at any point throughout the film. The directors managed to sustain a lighthearted mood throughout. 

Although the movie does not directly mention the famed game on which the film is based, there are many nods to it, obvious or not. For example, the overarching theme of the movie is that the protagonists must go to a place to find someone, who then sends them to another place to find another thing or person, and it cycles until the overall issue is resolved. Done somewhat redundant and inconspicuously, that whole theme comes from the actual game, which is centered around going from one area of the game realm to another until there is a winner. Perhaps the theme most hidden in plain sight is the idea of working cooperatively. Teaming up and working together is one of the most important aspects of Dungeons and Dragons, and the film perfectly captures that area of humanity. 

Holga, Edgin, and three other characters named Doric, Simon, and Xenk band together to take down the evil overlord of Neverwinter, Forge Fitzwilliam. Forge is holding Kira hostage and has brainwashed her to believe that Edgin has abandoned her. Forge is also working with a Red Wizard named Sofina whose goals are to make the people of Neverwinter into slaves for her master. 

On their quest, Edgin and his team come across a magical helmet and staff that would permit them entry into Forge’s fortress. However, the group gets caught and they are to face execution, but they wound up only needing to participate in the Highsun Games. The Highsun Games are a series of cruel mazes and missions that Lords and rulers from the different lands enjoy. They are able to escape, and through escaping are able to steal some of Forge’s riches, and the riches of other Lords and spectators. Forge then threatens to harm Kira if the group does not relinquish the riches; however, the heroes are able to rescue her and escape Neverwinter.

Their work is not done, however; they must still battle Sofina and Forge to prevent them from moving forward with their plan of turning the citizens into slaves. The heroes are physically drained, but with newfound morale, are determined to take Sofina and her evil ideas down. They all engage in a vicious battle, adamant about their cause, and they will do anything they can to win.

All in all, the movie is a hodgepodge of lightheartedness, violence, defeat, triumph, and any other emotion one can think of. At times, it got a little messy and confusing trying to follow along where the group is headed next and what their goals are, but in the end it is all wrapped up nicely. Ultimately, I would give the movie a 7.5 out of 10.