User reviews

My 'Dungeons and Dragons' knowledge isn't very vast, but I have always really liked the idea of it, despite never playing the game, so, I decided to see 'Honour Among Thieves' on a somewhat of a whim, I felt like going to the cinema, this was playing, I heard good things, so, I thought why not.

This film was an utter surprise, my expectations were rock bottom, I thought it would be passable at best, but, instead I got one of the best blockbusters I have seen in years.

The film follows a thief called Edgin, played by Chris Pine, as he gather a crew to rescue an old artefact.

In a landscape dominated by some of the most abysmal of blockbusters, 'Honour Among Thieves', stands out as, while nothing exceptional, it showcases a level of filmmaking quality usually absent in these types of blockbusters, especially in DC and Marvel's recent efforts. There feels like there is genuine passion here, an effort to make something visually distinctive, it actually feels like a filmmaker's vision.

The script, while riddled with clichés and some pacing issues, is surprisingly tight, and most importantly: funny and engaging. This film has several great laughs, but more surprisingly some genuinely impactful emotional beats, which the comedy never intrudes upon. Its characters are all distinct and memorable, they don't feel like cardboard cutouts of film protagonists.

The cast are also great, and have great chemistry, Chris Pine in particular surprised me with his fun and charismatic performance.

In short, 'Honour Among Thieves' is by no means perfect but it is a throughly refreshing and fun blockbuster that felt lost to time, I would recommend to D&D fans and non-fans alike, it's a real winner that I would love to watch a sequel to.

I heard some rumblings that this one might be better than it's early year release date and it has easily become my first real surprise viewing of the year and I think it deserves to be ranked amongst some of the best fantasy films in the genre. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fantasy film with a journey/heist at its center that takes a likable group of thieves (really just misunderstood heroes) through imaginative locations, encountering creative characters/creatures, and giving us some memorable action set pieces with castle chases and even pudgy dragon fights. Calling it a Guardians of the Galaxy for the fantasy genre is a bit simplistic, but it's also not that far off. Another way to put it would be that this is to Lord of the Rings what Shrek was to Disney Princess films. The director/writers here were the writers from 2018's Game Night so that might help give you a clue as to the layered humor to expect and also hope for a juicy Jesse Plemons role in a future sequel.

Three things make this fantasy-action-comedy stand out to me. First, it's just a fun story to watch filled with actors who genuinely feel like they are enjoying their roles. Chris Pine gives a charismatic lead performance here that brings a lot of comedy and still finds some strong dramatic notes. Pine plays the character a bit like if Jason Bateman had been cast as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy instead of Chris Pratt. There's a moment Chris Pine breaks into a song and it's not just played for laughs - it's meant to be for levity and it really works. Hugh Grant, like in Paddington, gets to sink himself into another smarmy villainous role and there's even a delightful little surprise cameo that had me rolling. Second, the film is bursting with creative imagination and features plenty of practical effects to pull it off. There's lots of real-life locations, practical builds, and costumes mixed in with stages/CGI to ground the film. Also, you never feel like they over rely on magic just for the sake of getting some CGI moment into the trailer. Finally, the relatively simple stakes of the film, recapturing a lost family, are refreshing for such a big blockbuster. Sure, they backdoor a bit higher stakes during the overstuffed finale (some trimming and focus would have really helped to nail the landing here) but it's light and takes a backseat to the family stuff. On one hand, it's heartening to have only one entry here and just let this story and world be a one off. On the other hand, they've developed such likable characters and such an interesting and fun world that it would be a shame not to revisit it. If that's a problem, that's a pretty good one to have.

D+D is what the adventure-comedy/fantasy genre needs to take notes from. In a world saturated by superhero films and remakes/retreads of old favorites, this was a breath of fresh air. It was fun, funny, and generally entertaining. The characters made sense, and the funny parts weren't focused on awkward or cringe situations that are totally unnatural, unlike most modern films.

The casting of Hugh Grant here is inspired. He's been doing some tremendous work in all of the films he's been in lately, and it is awesome to see him taken seriously as an actor beyond just his old rom/com days. He's good as a villain, and the rest of the story plays off of him very well here. Likewise, the main cast all does a great job playing both for and against type.

Admittedly, I don't know D+D lore, so I don't know how well this satisfies true fans, but I think it works well as a basic story/film. It reminds me a bit of Firefly/Serenity- a not too serious take on a well-worn genre that manages to do a lot more right than it does wrong.

I was lucky enough to catch a sneak preview of the Movie. I have played Dungeons and Dragons since the basic game came out in the late 70ies. So far, every adaptation I have seen trying to turn the D&D world into a movie has fallen flat on its face mostly because it was trying to appeal to way too many audiences and include way to much modern BS.

This movie was decent, It has a very adventurous feel and definitely played to both fans of the game and those who have never played the game. I like the fact that they didn't spoil the movie with any modern elements like the movies of the past had tried to do. It had a good story and great special effects. Is it the story I would have told? Nope but I don't have a $100,000,000 to make a movie and my movie would have catered more to the D&D world and player. It also most likely would have been a complete flop because it's a very small niche market! They don't call this the "movie business" for nothing and I understand that. Let's face it, we won't see another movie if it doesn't make money! I would definitely pay to see a series of this type of movie providing they stay on the same path they are on. The movie was far from perfect from a game player stance, but the movie has been the truest to the spirit of the game to date.

Game players will be divided on the movie's success but everyone else will most likely be entertained.

Never played dungeons and dragons (though I've always really wanted to!) but without knowing anything about the source material, this was pretty good!

Very entertaining overall, great pacing, some laugh out loud moments, a few great characters. That's not to say it's perfect though, some of the laughs fall short, and my biggest criticism would be the lack of world building and character development.

Saying that though, it's a great Friday night movie. You really don't have to think too hard about this one, just sit back, be entertained, and enjoy the laughs and magic. Fun, but not fantastic.

Saw the sneak preview today with my wife. I'm a 43-year veteran player and DM, and she's never played. She laughed through the whole thing and was riveted by the action sequences, indicating that this is an excellent intro to the world of D&D for the inexperienced. I was enchanted by what they got right: the iconic monsters, the banter, the feeling of an organic adventuring party coming together combining their strengths.

Best of all, having lived in Neverwinter since 6/7/13 and the MMO's open beta, I got to see the Jewel of the Sword Coast North in all its glory.

I'll be bringing my 4H D&D club to see it as soon as possible, and we'll definitely be seeing it again on our own.

In the beginning I was skeptical to finish because its slow and kind of predictive. But right by the middle it gets better. The Casting are well thought of. The wit and the characters are brilliant. The costume, design and props are splendid. Special Effects wise its good in details but lack of originality but its really a great and entertaining story to watch along the way.

I hope that there will be a sequel or part 2 as this is underrated film which I wish I have seen in theater.

Overall its great movie. As I've said its great to see medieval fantasy films like this again and I cant wait to see more.

I'm a fan of the fantasy genre, but don't have a strong stake in the D&D world to worry about the film's fidelity to the game's lore, etc.

This was an extremely boring film. Indeed, it could be said that they didn't even try to make a good movie here. It contains recycled tropes, a very thin plot, and wholly uninteresting characters. The attempts at humour all fall flat too.

The actors aren't to be faulted here per se (save for taking on the jobs); there just wasn't a quality script to work with here.

Is Hollywood finished? Is the American industry so completely uninterested in producing anything of quality anymore?

I didn't expect much, as I know nothing about the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing universe. The trailer was nice, so I thought I'd give the movie a chance, and it turned out to be one of the best films of the year! Everything is well-done - the actors, the story, the action, the twists, the universe, absolutely everything! And of course, for once a good original film comes out, there's no promotion, at least not in France... I read that the film is a box office failure, and it's all the producers' fault for completely missing what could have been a very profitable franchise...

Don't hesitate, go watch this movie, you won't regret it.

This film delivers what it promises. Nothing more, nothing less. It is a good fantasy, adventure story, based on the famous world of Dungeons & Dragons; however, you don't need to know anything about the table game, as they simplify it enough for everyone to enjoy. Although there are a few parts when a lot of names are suddenly thrown at you, related to the lore, and for those casual viewers who are not so much into fantasy worlds, it might be a little confusing.

Another aspect that is fantastic for those of us who play videogames is composed by some easter eggs mentioned in different dialogues, and that can only add to the experience. Along with good, well-performed action scenes, strong visuals and a captivating soundtrack, this film achieves to be as entertaining as the trailer shows. But don't expect it to be a masterpiece within the genre. The comedic relieves are usually bland, quite simple, and the plot doesn't take any risks nor unexpected twists. They played it safe to reach the biggest possible audience, and that is respectable.

I can put an end to the review saying that this movie has enough source material and potential to become a franchise, and I will be there to follow it.

D&D was actually quite funny, and entertaining. The comedy and intertwined storylines were really interesting. I did not expect this film to be engaging, but it was actually extremely watchable.

D&D's supporting cast were outstanding. We were all enchanted by Regé-Jean Page's almost God-like portrayal of 'Xenk'. Page has to be contender for one of the next iterations of James Bond. Sophia Lillis mastered her performance of 'Doric' given the incredible CGI that surrounded her character. And, if an award could be given to an actor who mastered a British accent better than a Brit themselves, it goes to Californian-born Justice Smith. Smith portrayal of accident-prone, insecure and bashful 'Simon' was outstanding.

Paul Bazely (from the IT Crowd) made wonderful appearances dotted across D&D, reprising his role as a magician (- viewers of The IT Crowd will know what I mean). However, it is always a pleasure to see him on screen given how great an actor he is.

All in all, a few plot holes, and perhaps a too many convenient links within a wide-arching story line to be believable, and worthy of taking this movie up to an 8. But if this is a how they did it, then I cannot wait for the sequel.

Oh, and Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant were alright.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a spirited and entertaining fantasy adventure that captures the whimsical essence of the beloved game. The film excels in delivering a fun and engaging experience, bolstered by a charismatic cast that includes Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez. Their performances bring a sense of camaraderie and humor that keeps the film lively and enjoyable.

The visual effects and action sequences are also highlights, creating a vibrant and immersive fantasy world that fans of the genre will appreciate. The humor and lighthearted tone contribute to a sense of escapism, making it an entertaining watch for those seeking a good time.

However, the film does have its shortcomings. The plot, while adventurous, often feels predictable and formulaic, lacking the depth and originality that could have set it apart. Some character arcs are underdeveloped, and the pacing occasionally suffers from uneven transitions between action and slower moments. Additionally, the reliance on familiar fantasy tropes might not offer much new for seasoned fans.

Overall, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fun and entertaining romp with a few notable flaws. It delivers on its promise of adventure and humor, though it doesn't quite break new ground in the fantasy genre.

I went to watch this a few days ago with no prior knowledge of anything about D&D. I didn't even watch the trailer. It was extremely funny, I was laughing all through it. It was very silly, but it held itself together very well, similar to Thor Ragnarok. I can imagine that serious D&D players might not enjoy that aspect, though I'm not sure how serious the game gets, all I know is that it is meant to last ages. Cris Pine was great, Hugh Grant was fantastic, and everyone else was also super funny. The plot wasn't super original or anything, but I would recommend this to anyone, and I already have to about twenty people. It is well worth the money as it is a great action/adventure/fantasy/comedy. A bit of a cross between Indiana Jones, Lord of the rings and The Princess Bride. I was laughing out load for at least twenty minutes throughout. So go watch it. Definitely.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A very silly movie that captures the locations, the items, the magic and the classes, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves should have been terrible. However, it really works. Chris Pine leads an ensemble cast that are lovable causing you to root for them and their quest to succeed.

This movie should have been called "McGuffin: Here, There and Everywhere". There always seem to be the most rare of artifacts that just happen to be needed at the exact time, and one of the party members just happens to know how to get them. But, again, I just didn't seem to care that it was so contrived.

There is an abundance of character development, even with a one dimensional villain driven by a quest for treasure that involves a two year plot with a red mage bent on killing everyone. The "good guys" learn the importance of family, the growth of self confidence, and the strength of friendship overriding common sense.

I am being very harsh on this movie, but again, I loved it. The time flew by, I laughed and it kept my interest. I think if the movie tried to be more serious, I would have hated it. It's worth a watch, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Despite its rich source material and an enthusiastic cast, the film falls flat in its execution, succumbing to a string of cliches and predictable story beats that leave audiences feeling underwhelmed.

The film's narrative structure is a textbook example of the "team of heroes" trope, complete with characters who possess specific skill sets needed to overcome various obstacles. However, the film's reliance on such a formulaic approach results in a sense of déjà vu for viewers who are familiar with fantasy adventures. To its detriment, the film fails to deviate from or subvert the expected conventions, leading to a predictable and lackluster experience.

The filmmakers' affection for the source material is apparent, but it doesn't translate into a well-crafted movie. The film's visual design lacks creativity, with Forge's city resembling a generic fantasy video game setting. The film's use of CGI is at times jarring, with magic-driven sequences feeling detached from the more grounded practical effects. The world-building falls short, and the film misses the opportunity to create immersive and visually captivating environments.

While the cast delivers competent performances, their efforts are hindered by the film's shortcomings. Pine's rough charisma, Rodriguez's physicality, and Grant's smarminess are all on display, but they are not enough to elevate the material. The film suffers from a lack of substance, and despite its lengthy runtime of 139 minutes, it feels devoid of depth and genuine emotion. The characters are constantly moving from one plan to the next, but the repetitive structure leaves little room for meaningful development or stakes.

I really, really, wanted this to be good, and while it wasn't terrible, it didn't deliver in the way that I think many had hoped it would. It may be a fairly controversial opinion but I loved the first D&D movie that was ever made, at least the first half of it, and I wanted this to fall in that same vein of movie. While the movie stuck to the fantasy, action, comedy genre I never felt like the jokes hit hard enough for me to really enjoy the film.

While I was impressed with the amount of actual D&D mechanics they threw into the film, I think it made it a little harder to really follow the story. The biggest issue that I had with the film was that it seemed to have to much detail crammed into to short of a time frame. The story seemed to suffer as a result of not having enough time to truly develop any character arc or relationship; the movie relied on every classic trope it could use to fill the gaps in a very rushed setting. The end result of it left me with the feeling that it was like a game of D&D, but not in a good way; the characters seemed to just be thrown together, the story seemed jumpy and rushed, the big bad was hokey and anticlimactic, and it failed to convey the fantasy setting it should have.