It says a lot about a film when it’s not even close to over and you’re already excited about the *idea* of a sequel, about what new story the characters could go on in this strange and exciting-yet-familiar world. As someone whose only experiences with the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons really only come from one summer at Blue Star camp in my youth where I wandered around the area the kids were playing, picking up some of things my adult friends say about their own campaigns, TableTop TikTok, and the Bunkers & Badass DLC for Borderlands 2, you could say I have zero experience at all with the game. I, therefore, found myself delightfully entertained by the adventure co-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (the co-directors of the hilarious Game Night (2018)) placed before me. Their live action DnD tale, Honor Among Thieves, is set to come home via Paramount Pictures, bringing with it a bevy of bonus features to extend the excitement whether you’re on your 100th campaign or are considering your first.
L-R: Director Jonathan Goldstein and Chris Pine on the set of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES from Paramount Pictures and eOne. © 2023 Paramount Pictures. Hasbro, Dungeons & Dragons and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. © 2023 Hasbro.
After serving two years of a prison sentence, thief Edgin (Chris Pine) and barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) gather together a group of skilled individuals in order to right old wrongs and maybe make some coin in the process. What Edgin, Holga, and their newly formed party don’t realize is that there’s darkness operating in the shadows that’s preparing to step into the light. A darkness that, if they don’t stop now, threatens to overwhelm the entire realm.
Due to my lack of DnD knowledge, I can’t speak to the accuracy of the content of the film. I’ve heard from friends who watched the film in its initial release who spoke highly of the details, big and small, that the script from Goldstein, Daley, and Michael Gilio (Jolene) utilized to create the spectacle before us. What’s fascinating (and something I can speak on) is the difference between expectation and what’s given that occurs with Honor Among Thieves. All of the marketing, of which I enjoyed each piece, implied a propulsive narrative with action nearly non-stop once it got started. In execution, however, this is very much a character-led heist story that just so happens to take place in a magical realm. This translates to a lot of time spent establishing the world through flashback and narration, through traveling from one location to the next, and through spending just enough time with each character to understand their needs and motivations. Some are big (Edgin and Holga), some are small (Justice Smith’s wizard Simon has a confidence issue), and some are larger than themselves (Sophia Lillis’s druid class wild shape Doric). Edgin’s arc takes up the bulk of the story, but the script smartly weaves the needs and desires of each so that they feel interconnected in a way that couldn’t have been achieved otherwise. The time spent on the characters, though not as exciting as one may had hoped, makes the action set pieces far richer due to the investment we’ve now made. It certainly helps that Pine never turns in a performance that isn’t entirely of himself and authentic to the role (though there are some shades of Kevlin Timeline Kirk here) and that Rodriguez is allowed to do some character work she’s not usually allowed in some of her other franchise projects. Not to mention that the supporting cast, whether part of the pack, their enemies, or just someone they meet along the way (poor Chancellor Jarnathan), are given room to *be* memorable. One might want a Led Zeppelin-scored action adventure (the band is notoriously nerdy themselves), but by taking the time to explore this realm, the audience is primed to worry for and about the success of the heist beyond the entertainment value a 134-minute action/adventure fantasy tale may offer.
L-R: Hugh Grant, Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Pine, and crew on the set of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES from Paramount Pictures and eOne. © 2023 Paramount Pictures. Hasbro, Dungeons & Dragons and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. © 2023 Hasbro.
For those who live and breathe this world or those who are just genuinely curious how the filmmakers brought the world of imagination to life, the home release includes six different featurettes, a delightful gag reel, and six deleted/extended scenes. Some of this has been shared and explored online thanks to the excitement of Goldstein and Daley via Twitter where they shared behind-the-scenes and other on-set videos while explaining how they made some of the stunts or gags happen. Be advised that the press release from Paramount doesn’t distinguish which format contains/includes which bonus features, but I can confirm that the version on Paramount+ does not, as of the time of this writing, include any bonus materials. Additionally, the version on Paramount+ does not state if it’s presented in anything beyond standard high-definition, which is a bummer for those with 4K UHD televisions, surround sound systems, or other upgraded home entertainment gear. This is where the physical editions shine as not only is the picture in 4K UHD, but the sound mix is in both Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, which should offer a far superior sound over the Paramount+ mix. Why? No audio compression from the stream, for starters. Plus, in this age where streamers can just drop content without warning, if you own it, you can rejoin the adventure whenever you like.
Just like Goldstein and Daley found a way to transform a kidnapping story into one of the best comedies of 2018, as well as the decade, so have they made Dungeons & Dragons something that cues tabletop newbs like myself to be excited to see what comes next. Sure, the group won the day, but the threat still lingers and there are stories still left to explore. Just because the villain of this adventure has been stopped doesn’t mean that there isn’t another crypt to be raided, another relic to be recovered, or another ward to be dispatched. The best part? Now that the characters and this world are established, a follow-up is only limited by the writers’ imaginations and, if this story is an indication, theirs is seemingly infinite. That’s an initiative I’m ready to roll for.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Special Features:
- From Dice to Dragons: Honoring the Lore— Go behind-the-scenes with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and the cast and crew to witness the thrilling journey of bringing the classic board game to life in the ultimate D&D experience. (11:17)
- Rogues’ Gallery: The Heroes of Dungeons & Dragons— Get an in-depth look at the heroes of the film as the cast delves into their characters and reveals the secrets behind bringing them to life on screen. (11:25)
- Fantastic Foes— Explore the dark side of D&D with a look at the film’s complex and fascinating villains. (7:05)
- The Bestiary— Check out the cutting-edge visual effects, prosthetics, and intricate costumes that went into the creation of the movie’s magical beings and fantastical beasts. (9:22)
- Forging the Forgotten Realms— Discover the secrets behind the exciting sets and breathtaking locations in far away lands! (8:09)
- Broadswords, Battle-axes & Badass Brawls— Dive into epic fight sequences with a behind-the-scenes look at the mind-blowing stunts and powerful weaponry that went into this heart-pumping action adventure. (8:42)
- Gag Reel— Don’t miss the hilarious gag reel with bloopers and outtakes. (6:52)
- Six (6) Deleted and Extended Scenes— Uncover even more of the action with deleted & extended scenes not seen in theaters! (10:38)
iTunes Edition Special Features:
Snatched, Swiped, and Snapped On Set Gallery – A collection of 90 on-set photos.
Available on VOD and digital May 2nd, 2023.
Available on Paramount+ May 16th, 2023.
Available on MGM+ May 26th, 2023.
Available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD May 30th, 2023.
For more information, head to the official Paramount Pictures Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves website.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews, streaming
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