by Jacob Kinman, Contributing Writer
In the cult classic television show Freaks and Geeks, the series finale features the geek characters engaging in a game of Dungeons & Dragons with one of their older classmates, one of the freaks, Daniel Desario. We don’t get to see much of the game, but there’s enough terminology and reference to D&D for fans to appreciate it, especially in 2000 when the game was very niche. The main character of the show, Sam Weir, is brilliantly portrayed by a young John Francis Daley for the full run of the series.
Things have come full circle for Daley, who worked through the ranks as a screenwriter and is now primarily a filmmaker. He and his directing partner, Jonathan Goldstein, both of whom directed the incredible comedy film Game Night, are at the helm of a new mainstream film about the game that’s not so niche anymore: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
The film has a very talented cast, including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Daisy Head, Hugh Grant, Regé-Jean Page, and an incredible celebrity cameo that you have to see to believe. Pine stars as Edgin Darvis, a bard who, after escaping from prison following a heist gone wrong, returns to the land of Neverwinter with his good friend Holga Kilgore (Rodriguez), a barbarian who helped raise his daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman) when his wife died. Their former cohort, Forge Fitzwilliam (Grant), is now Lord of Neverwinter, and has been taking care of Kira, convincing her that her father left out of selfishness. Edgin arrives and is reassured that his daughter is safe, but also learns that Forge has been working with a Red Wizard, Sofina (Head), who reveals she and Forge orchestrated their arrest two years prior. Forge then has Edgin and Holga captured and put up for execution, but not before escaping again to set on a quest to rob Forge’s vault and obtain the Tablet of Reawakening so Edgin can bring back his wife. Edgin and Holga find Simon (Smith), a mediocre sorcerer and former team member, to join in their quest. Simon also suggests they use a druid he knows, Doric (Lillis). The team must first find the Helm of Disjunction to make their way into the vault, and end up recruiting Xenk Yandar (Page), a paladin who leads them into the Underdark to obtain the item. From there, the team sets off to rob the vault and help Edgin put his family back together.
I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about D&D going in to the film. Upon some research, I can say that the film seems to be mostly accurate. Fervent fans of the tabletop game may find discrepancies between the rules of D&D and the action that appears on screen, but there are enough direct references and homages to the game itself that the inaccuracies of certain spells or abilities can be forgiven. The adventure plays out like a real life realization of a campaign from the game, as each member of the team uses their skills and abilities to work through the challenges that come their way as they attempt to complete the quest.
What I really love about this movie is that it easily carries a sense of whimsy and levity, with quick, clever jokes spread throughout the film as each character quips in their own style. The tone mostly lands on downright silly, but never obfuscates the coherent and compelling story that the film sets its characters on. At first glance, this may come off as purely fantasy, but really the film uses the D&D brand as a solid structure for a bona fide comedy film.
That brings me to our leading man: Pine is so freaking good in this. He effortlessly carries the film with his patented brand of boyish charm and goofy charisma that makes his portrayal of Edgin so lovable. His chemistry with the entire cast, especially Rodriguez, makes for such an enjoyable ride. Pine is slowly but surely forming a very interesting body of work, and this is one of his best roles yet.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves accomplishes the rare feat of dutifully honoring a well-known brand successfully, while also existing as a quality film on its own. Fans and non-fans alike can find plenty to enjoy here, even though not everyone might get all the references to the game. This is a film that can succeed on multiple levels, and has an appeal that reaches freaks, geeks, dungeon masters, and everyone in between.
Sam Weir would be proud.
Score: 8/10
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Jacob Kinman, and follow him on Twitter and Letterboxd