Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - John Frances Daley & Johnathan Goldstein
This film has a well-constructed non-linear plot. It is super fun and has lots of nods to fans as well.
I did not expect much going into this given the last movie crossover attempt – so I was pleasantly surprised.
From the get the film is in its element. It knows what it is and pulls no punches. It is a fun and engaging adventure with likable characters with understandable and believable motives.
Our party’s leader is a charismatic bard, Edgin, played by Chris Pine. His too-trusting companion, Holga, played by Michelle Rodriguez, is ever present as the stalwart fighter.
These are the main two characters and we meet them well into the story.
The film opens with them captured in an icy fortress and we waste no time getting our introductions to the glib-tongued Edgin and the ferocious Holga.
This leads us into the first telling of their backstory – as they plead for release from jail. We get all caught up and meet all the rest of the party members.
Hugh Grant as Forge, the hapless rogue, and Justice Smith as Simon, the even worse sorcerer.
This is great as we can skim over the adventures and the years that led to this point.
We learn of how Edgin and Holga ended up in jail and we meet the villain – an evil sorceress. If we had gone through the story linearly and actually watched all of the rather than Egdin telling it to us it would have taken forever.
Egdin and Holga escape and we are all caught up. Eight or so years and multiple adventures backstory told in a few minutes. Brilliant writing.
We soon learn that Forge was in league with the sorceress leaving them to be caught. Simon leads them to a stalwart druid, Doric played by Sophia Lillis.
The plan to take down Forge and rescue his daughter is put into action. A funny and at times poignant adventure takes place with all the expected tropes.
Doric wild shaping through the castle to learn about their plans is a brilliant sequence of events. So much fun to watch.
The Paladin is hilarious. Played to a tee by Rege-Jean Page.
The literal way he takes everything is so on point. The hither thither staff is just excellent as well.
The scenes where they use it to get into the treasure carriage had me laughing out loud.
There is a big reveal very near the end that Edgin is actually to cause for everything that has happened. He stole some treasure from the original red wizard’s horde leading them to his doorstep. This is the catalyst of the story and why he is doing what he is doing.
He is trying to atone for bringing death to his wife and leading everyone down this path.
Apart from the fabulous story structure and the really fun moments there is sincerity and believability with all the characters. Holga may be a little dumb but not comically so and she is true and sincere.
Simon’s failing as a sorcerer is rooted in his lack of belief in himself – which we see throughout the film.
Even Forge who might appear to be a charismatic fool looking to make a quick buck from the sorceress is no fool. He has an exit plan and doesn’t plan to die, even though he is happy for everyone else to. I highly recommend this for fans of the game and newcomers alike!
