This Thursday, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”, a new adaptation of the legendary role-playing game, arrives in Argentine cinemas and here we give you a small preview of what you will find.
Por @bad1
We won’t be going over the production hell this RPG franchise has endured over the years in the quest for a film adaptation here; we received a huge amount of rumors, news and other concerns about it, at least as far as I can remember, for seven years. Writers, directors, possible protagonists choose your own adventure. Since Courtney Solomon’s frustrated attempt in 2000, which deserves its own epic due to its almost surreal development, it is clear that there was no idea how to approach the project.
The Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson-designed game released in 1974, and beyond the unfinished 1983 animated series, hasn’t had the best of theatrical runs. Such an extensive and prolific universe always deserved a setting according to its lore and above all its tireless homage to the genre of “Swords and Sorcery”. Something like that achieved the phenomenal animated series “The Legend of Vox Machina” from Prime Video. Who was going to say that the movie John Francis Daley y Jonathan M. Goldsteinwould realize not only an interesting adaptation of the universe itself, but also develop a story in it attractive enough so that the landscape did not devour the adventure.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is based on a story of Chris McKaywho although he directed the mediocre “The Tomorrow War” (2021) was involved in the exceptional “The LEGO Batman Movie” (2017) and comes with an interesting “Renfield: Vampire Assistant” (2023) and whose final script is by the filmmakers, the aforementioned Daley (scriptwriter of various adventures such as “Spider-Man: Homecoming” – 2017) and Goldstein, director of “Vacation” (2015) and “Game Night” (2018).
A team that has made its weapons in the sitcom, in the sly adaptations of emblematic characters, is good news and after seeing the film, it is reassuring to know that they have maintained the spirit of their previous achievements. The success is the set of protagonists, as expected a sort of gang of unlikely heroes, miserable at the right time and place to clumsily, to say, turn them into something more than mere comic relief.
Edgin, played by Chris Pine, is the singing voice, because beyond being a minstrel, the story is told from his perspective. Success that makes history a rescue adventure, both own and others. A classic tale, the release of a kidnapped princess, skilfully mixed with a story of robberies. An “Ocean’s Eleven” or rather an “Army of the Dead” (Zack Snyder – 2021) in a Tolkian universe. Even more so, we would say that a tribute to the fantastic cinema of the eighties, beyond the crowded CGI, such as “The Princess Bride” (Rob Reiner – 1987).
Contrary to what happened with “Your Highness” (David Gordon Green – 2011) here they really strive to pay homage without falling into the current ridiculous rereading of the clichés of the genre. And it is one of its great bases; knows that it deals with a bulging heritage not only for the game, or the nostalgia of the eighties animated series, but also with a rich and varied cinematic history on “Swords and Sorceries”.
The unbridled action, the staging of the stunts, in general the show is defined and attractive, the world is interesting to explore and its expansion is a matter of sequels, which you will surely get. Even more so if it maintains the leading cast because it works both in the action and in the dramatic moments, the brief but balanced development of them engages the viewer, gives them a base on which to relate and have fun.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” It is an intense adventure, with an agile humor, and that for the fans will have a huge variety of references, which at the same time does not neglect the newcomer. The genre of “Swords and Sorcery” is back and in good shape.
SCORE: 9/10
Title: Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – 2023)
Address: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein
Script: Dave Arneson, John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein, E. Gary Gygax, Derek Kolstad. History: Chris McKay
Department: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Hugh Grant, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Jason Wong, Daisy Head, Sophia Eleni Voice: David Sobolov
Companies: Paramount Pictures, Allspark Pictures, Entertainment One, Hasbro, Hasbro Studios. Distributor: Paramount Pictures
A charming thief and an unlikely band of adventurers embark on an epic plan to steal a lost relic, but things go dangerously wrong when they run into the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary RPG to the big screen in a fun-filled, action-packed adventure.
