Initially when it was announced that there would be a Dungeons & Dragons movie, fans including myself were skeptical. Movies based on board games or video games aren’t well received or don’t seem to do the source material justice. As trailers and clips were released, I felt much more at ease toward Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. There’s a clip of the group trying to cast “Speak With Dead” and it’s hilarious. I watched the clip on repeat leading to the movie’s release. One of my coworkers bought matinee tickets to see this film as we talk about DnD a lot at work. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was so funny, and captured the joy and chaos of a DnD campaign.

Edgin Darvis (played by Chris Pine) is a bard who tragically loses his wife when she’s murdered by the disciples of a Red Wizard. Edgin wants to bring his wife back and begin a new life with his daughter, Kira. Edgin teams up with a Barbarian named Holga (played by Michelle Rodriguez), Sorcerer Simon Aumar (played by Justice Smith), and Rogue Forge Fitzwilliam (played by Hugh Grant) to steal the “Tablet of Reawakening” a magical item that can bring someone back to life. Unfortunately, Edgin and Holga are captured while the rest of their group escapes. Once Edgin and Holga escape prison, they return to find Kira being manipulated by Forge who has betrayed them. Edgin and Holga recruit an army to go after Forge and convince Kira that Edgin had good intentions all along.

The cast of this film was an A+ for sure. They all seemed to have great chemistry together, especially Edgin and Holga. They were lifelong friends as Holga helped raise Kira when her mom was killed. Edgin and Holga are such a good pair as they both have their expertise in different things which is very fitting to DnD characters. Simon’s backstory reminds me of Vex’halia from Critical Role as they both have difficulties with their families. Doric (played by Sophia Lillis) has elements that remind me of Keyleth from Critical Role as Doric’s goal is to prevent Forge from destroying the forest. Each character has their own fleshed-out back story which is so important in character creation in Dungeons & Dragons.

This movie is so chaotic which makes it even funnier. I mentioned the “Speak With Dead” clip, but there are so many other moments that are hilarious. One other scene that pops into my head is when Xenk Yendar (played by Regé-Jean Page) is explaining a complex puzzle and Simon steps on the bridge before Xenk explains how to cross the bridge and the bridge collapses. The whole group is looking at him and Simon is at a loss for words. There have been times when in my campaign, we don’t listen to what the NPC (non-playable character) is telling us and completely mess up a puzzle and cause a trap to go off. Oops. I’m not sure who the writers were on this film, but they must have some roleplaying experience because this film truly feels like a DnD campaign brought to life.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was such a great film. I found myself laughing along the way and becoming attached to the characters. I’d love to see a sequel featuring the cast in another mystical adventure.