DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES

A bard, a barbarian, a sorcerer – all thieves – a druid, and a paladin come together to put a stop to a nasty scoundrel and his powerful allies. Whether there is Honor Among Thieves, you and we will find out in Dungeons & Dragons.

VIDEO GAMES VS. MOVIE ADAPTATIONS

Dungeons & Dragons has been one of the most popular role-playing games worldwide for almost 50 years, whether on the table, tablet, or computer.

Maybe it was because the opinions were rather negative after the appearance of the first trailers. Understandable, because film adaptations of particularly successful computer games often flopped.

On the one hand, often the committed fan communities could not be convinced. On the other hand, the non-gamers found no entry into the stories. For example, the 1999 film Wing Commander wasn’t just a financial mega-flop. Rather, it sealed the end of the once super-successful computer game series.

So, what about Dungeons & Dragons? Have directors Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, and producer Jeremy Latcham found a path through the dungeons to entertain us and make us happy? Or should we send them to the arena to fight the dragons as punishment? Let’s check it out!

THE CHARACTERS OF DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES

EDGIN DARVIS – CHRIS PINE

Edgin is a bard and former member of the Harpers, a secret organization that maintains the balance between nature and civilization, preserves historical lore, and defends the innocent from the forces of evil across the realms. Through a tragedy, he loses the love of his life and, thereby, his belief in himself and what he does.

This is how Edgin becomes a thief. Although, actually, he always was. As well as he has always liked to make plans. Usually several, which he also needs. Because something always goes wrong.

Especially when he promises his sweet daughter Kira that he has to do something quickly so that everything will be fine. Unfortunately, his path leads directly to the kingdom’s worst prison for a few years.

HOLGA KILGORE – MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ

Holga is a strong barbarian. She was rejected by her Uthgardt Elk Tribe for loving a dwarf. Since then she has accompanied Edgin on his raids while being a good surrogate mother for Kira.

KIRA DARVIS – CHLOE COLEMAN

Kira is Edgin’s daughter and his heart. He tries to do everything for her and always fails. This is how the young girl fell under the sway of Forge.

FORGE FITZWILLIAM – HUGH GRANT

Also, Forge is a thief who hasn’t only taken care of Kira for the two years of Edgin and Holga’s imprisonment. Besides, he has become the powerful Lord of Neverwinter.

SOFINA – DAISY HEAD

Forge is advised by the gloomy Sofina, who belongs to the Red Wizards of Thay. These are notorious and feared for their cult of necromancy (necromancy) and their quest to establish tyrannical rulership of mages.

XENK YENDAR – REGÉ-JEAN PAGE

As a boy, Xenk witnessed the dangers posed by the Red Wizards, particularly the Lich Szass Tam. Lichs are undead creatures in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, spellcasters who defy death by magical means.

Handsome Paladin Xenk narrowly escaped the Szass Tam’s “rise to power” in Thay. As a result, he ages more slowly than a normal human. He is very wise but has no sense of humor or irony.

SIMON AUMAR – JUSTICE SMITH

Simon, the Sorcerer joined Edgin’s group early on. The young magician has serious doubts about himself. The burden of being a descendant of Elminster Aumar, the mightiest of all sorcerers, is too great. But Simon has a big heart, and it beats especially hard for Doric.

DORIC – SOPHIA LILLIS

A big heart also beats in Doric’s chest, just not for the people. So far, the tiefling druid has not had good experiences with them. The shapeshifter was raised in Neverwinter Wood by Elves. She fights for justice and against the exploitation of the forest and its inhabitants by Forge’s troops.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES REVIEW

Coming back to the question of whether Goldstein, Daley, and Latcham managed to adapt a popular role-playing game to the cinema in a way that everyone can enjoy. The answer is definitely yes.

All doubters can relax, as can all fans. Dungeons & Dragons is entertaining on multiple levels. The story is quite simple and not really new. But the implementation is creative and very well done. We experience emotional, exciting, and many funny moments.

Maybe not all jokes work, but most do. An absolute highlight is the cemetery scene. But more will not be revealed.

PURE FUN

Chris Pine has already shown in Star Trek that he doesn’t allow himself to be pigeonholed and can lend cheek and coolness to even established, serious characters. In Dungeons & Dragons, he shows a comedic side that we haven’t seen before.

The petite Sophia merges with Doric and Regé-Jean plays the arrogant but lovable paladin with so much charm that many will love him.

Hugh Grant somehow plays himself again 😉, a bit arrogant with British humor.

Dungeons & Dragons is a film about friendship and family, even if it’s made up of completely different characters who first have to learn the Honor Among Thieves.

FANTASY MEETS REALITY IN DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Regarding Holga’s story, Dungeons & Dragons also plays with the theme of discrimination and free love. Simon stands for all those who doubt themselves and first have to learn to believe in themselves. His part also stands for facing challenges and through them growing beyond yourself.

Edgin’s story teaches us in a very emotional way to let go, no matter how much we love something or someone.

THE BEST AT THE END

As is well known, the best comes at the end. Because Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves celebrates one cool thing: imperfection.

At a time when many present themselves on social media as perfect, externally (often with the help of filters) and/or in character and only post what others like, so that the number of followers or subscribers increases, it is just relaxing to see a group of chaotic people fighting for the good.

Despite all fiction, this touches us on a human and emotional, very beautiful level. The characters not only become approachable but somehow become friends whose missteps are forgiven and whose successes you are happy about as if they were your own.

A nice trend that is also emerging in D&D, because nothing is more charming than people with rough edges, certainly with one or the other quirks, but with a big heart. Or creatures who give a shit about their BMI.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CONCLUSION

While such an opening may not be the time to go into depth on all of the characters, Dungeons & Dragons honors all of the characters as well as the audience. Because we experience an exciting, effect-packed, successful action comedy that will certainly be continued.