Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Review: A cheesy but immersive, action-packed popcorn fare

Directors: Jonathan M. Goldstein, John Francis Daley

Cast: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Rege-Jean Page, Justice Jesse Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head, Hugh Grant, Jason Wong

Where: In theatres near you

Rating: 3.5 stars

Based on the popular video game series of the same name (D&D), which was first published in 1974, this often-hilarious, fantasy-cum-action packed mystic adventure is a totally immersive popcorn fare.

With a style that harkens to the classics of the 1980s, and a tone that is decidedly modern, the film appears like a mash-up of The Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride, Star Wars, National Treasure, the medieval X-Men, and Gladiator.

Its narrative is a blend of a cheesy and charming, surreal and spectacular, comfortably unoriginal and high-spiritedly inventive piece that would appeal to hardcore D&D game players as well as those who know absolutely nothing about the game.

It is the story of a cheery, laid-back but impish single father, Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), who is a thief, a liar, and a rogue, but one with a brave heart who is trying to reunite with his daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman), and bring his dead wife back to life. 

The film begins with Edgin, a member of the Harpers (think of them as secret knights), and a die-hard tattooed barbarian warrior Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), making a daring escape from prison. They were in the prison after their planned robbery to steal the Tablet of Reawakening, an artefact with the power to resurrect the dead went awry. Their associates, Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman), conman Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), Sofina (Daisy Head), the red wizard of Thay, and sorcerer Simon Aumar (Justice Smith), escaped justice by disappearing into the wind.

Upon their escape, Edgin discovers that Fitzwilliam is now living a high life as the wealthy Lord of Neverwinter. He has double-crossed them, manipulated his daughter Kira and is no longer an ally. 

Edgin and Holga go on a quest; to steal the Tablet of Reawakening from a magically fortified vault, bring Kira back to the family, and settle the score with Fitzwilliam. 

The duo joins hands with Simon to use his magic expertise, and Simon suggests that they associate with Doric (Sophia Lillis), a tiefling druid, for her resources. The quartet receives help from the stone-faced paladin Xenk Yendar (Rege-Jean Page), whose straight-forwardness bounces off Edgin’s inability to take anything seriously. Unfortunately, Xenk and Edgin’s amusing interaction on screen is brief and thus leaves you wanting more. 

The film is stacked with an A-list cast whose intoxicating on-screen charisma delivers bang-on performances, but their charm dissipates somewhere in the flow. What keeps you glued to the screen are some great eye-popping set pieces. They include Holga’s fight scenes and a remarkable one-shot sequence that showcases Doric’s shapeshifting abilities.

Throughout the telling, the characters are beset by weird and ferocious creatures that keep you mesmerised.