D&D Movie/TV D&D: Honor Among Thieves Open Discussion [Full Spoilers]

[Maxperson]

Re: Simon’s ancestor – I was sure it was made clear it was meant to be Elminster but I could be misremembering.

Having it actually be an older Simon makes a lot of sense.

It was Elminster. I remember noting that when it was mentioned.

 

[pukunui]

On a different note, I recall people thinking that, in the scene where Doric goes through the portal in a crouch, the “stick” poking out of her boot was some kind of effect thing that was yet to be edited out of the scene … but it turned out to be the rolled up painting of Volo!

 

[nevin]

This thread is for discussing the D&D movie in its entirety, and contains heavy spoilers.

If you haven't seen the movie yet and wish to remain spoiler free, this thread isn't for you (yet)!

*****

Finally got to see the film on opening day, and I was blown away! The film is just jam packed with D&D goodness, has a simple but captivating plot, and characters that you instantly grow to love and loathe. I already have tickets to see it again on Sunday, both to try and catch more of the easter eggs scattered through the film but also just to spend some more time with this merry band of adventurers.

I love that the plot is focused on Edgen & Holga working to reunite with their daughter, and that the Red Wizard plot emerges from that as a complication. By grounding the characters motivation, it humanizes the story in a way that so many 'save the world' plots of modern comic book movies fail to do. Simon's quest for self confidence is likewise relatable, and I love that the resolution of his arc ended up leading into a trap, but that the growth he experienced led to him being awesome in the final showdown with Sofina. I did find Doric's arc to be a bit thin, as I was never personally sold on her distrust of humans in the film (even having read her prequel story) and thought that she needed a moment where her distrust led to a negative consequence for the group. That said, her Druid was the definition of bada**

Sofina and Forge were likewise compelling and fun villains. Sofina though was incredible, the audience I saw the film with broken into applause when Doric finally took her out (temporarily? Xenk had mentioned that Theyans are hard to kill), which I think was earned after her Alter Selfing into Bug to trick Edgen.

And my goodness that final showdown with the BBEG was incredible. When the group comes together to take her on as a team, I swear the action unfolded in 3-4 real time rounds. I can't wait to see that set piece again, watching for initiative, actions, and legendary actions.

Now, let's talk about Xenk. The Paladin steals every moment he's on screen, and I was so disappointed when he left the group after the under dark (though not the way in which he left). I understand why the writers did it, as like any high level NPC a lower level party works with for a time, if he sticks around too long it would take away from the PCs, but I hope we get to see Xenk again in future movies or TV shows. My wife and I instantly gave each other hall passes for Page after the film

Finally, Edgen's decision to resurrect Holga after the final battle was perfectly earned, and concluded his arc in the best possible way. I'll admit I teared up.

So let's discuss everything you saw, enjoyed, disliked and loved about the film here!

Great movie. couldn't be replicated under the rules in any version but fantastic run romp.

I'll disagree on the Paladin. forgotten realms is supposed to have lots of high level characters, demi powers and other powerful creatures all over the place. The paladin hit that nail perfectly.

I think the Druid's backstory was fine. She didn't go with the group out of trust. iI was simply her last terrible option to save the emerald enclave. And remember she did know the sorcerer very well.

I did have to squelch my inner DM when the party that had a barbarian that took out an entire squad of waterdeep's finest and a sorcerer who can cast 7th level spells were running from two displacer beasts. But once I did that i was a great scene.

 

[Parmandur]

Re: Simon’s ancestor – I was sure it was made clear it was meant to be Elminster but I could be misremembering.

Having it actually be an older Simon makes a lot of sense.

Plausible deniability of the franchise doesn't take off, while avoiding overburdening the plot with exposition.

 

[nevin]

It's the whole reason Doric agrees to sign on!

As for why, Forge's motivation is only ever one thing: money. Timber is a valuable commodity - housing, ship-building, fuel.

I"m pretty sure cutting down the forest was Forge making money while attacking the only group questioning his legitimacy.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

He's a Mastermind Rogue with the Entertainer background not a Bard, he's reasonable mid level to high when you realize that, calling himself a bard is just part of his con. treat his reinforced lute as a light mace for sneak attack. Once you do that he doesn't seem so low level anymore.

Except ... he doesn't do anything to suggest any of that. He plays the lute badly and trips a guy on a bridge. And does a lot of running away.

He's an extremely self-confident commoner.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

People forget this was shot during the Pandemic, no one knew if folks would ever return to Threaters again, so I give this a free pass.

It's not physically attached to the movie. It's a separate video file they chose to air.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Yeah it is. Wildshape for Druids is at-will, and it's their main deal, and that's absolutely amazing in actual play. Spellcasters roll when they use a spell and if they succeed they don't lose use of it, so can potentially cast repeatedly.

Hmmm, Shadowdark uses a similar magic system and could use a druid class ...

 

[nevin]

It's definitely an ensemble piece based around a group going on an adventure. A movie like this lives or dies on the characters, and they executed successfully.

General Thoughts
SO many "D&D player crazy" plans.
There were several moments where I went "Ok, that's the DM escalating the situation to keep it interesting." Coincidences aren't, and that's OK for a "D&D not real life" movie.
The fight scenes were okay, with the final one being pretty good.
There were a few things skipped over entirely, like how the salt water fire thing suddenly got them out and then they're sitting around a fire in basically the next scene... but really, all the travel stuff is skippable in D&D and in stories, unless it's a story about the traveling like LOTR.
Good jokes throughout, found it funny.
There were a few curse words, but I'm not sure why it was PG-13 instead of PG. There was no bloody violence, and even the scary-ish stuff wasn't very bad.
The Harper lore was really light, and I don't think they work quite like that.
Not enough knowledge of Thay to speak to the lore accuracy of that, but it at least felt like it mostly fit.

Not many magic items. The main spellcasters used some pretty distinctive spells, and I really like their take on Time Stop. The swordfighting-folks (green and gold), I think were both paladins despite their titles based on how they were equally matched. I initially thought Green Flame Blade but I think it's more of a generic magic effect.

The arena was great. Could totally see that, and a lot of other stuff in the movie, being used by a DM, or being things a DM would want to use.

Amusing rendition of Speak With Dead. Very good.

Characters
Chris Pine's character - Edwin, Elwin, Ed-something? - was the weakest link. He was the party mascot but never really contributed much besides bringing the group together. They say he's a bard, but he could have been a 3rd or 5th level rogue and it wouldn't have made a lick of difference. No magic, no special knowledge, etc. In fact, I lean towards rogue-disguised-as-bard because most of the times when he hits an enemy, it's with a sneak attack to the back with his club-lute. Nice story with family, etc.

Doric - druid - The character was not a druid per D&D lore with a deep connection to nature and a dislike of civilization and people. The character was a stereotypical female D&D druid player. A number of her mannerisms and the ways she spoke seemed like things that a 20-something woman playing a druid in a game I ran for a while would say. This isn't a criticism - it worked pretty well.
The emerald elf coalition thing was okay-ish. I think I missed the pointy ears on a lot of them, though. Could've been human and it wouldn't have made a difference.

Simon - wild magic sorcerer - was the comedy relief. Too thirsty and awkward, and I think he's supposed to be 30-something at least (half elf) but acts like a young 20-something at most. Alternatively, he's a 15 year old playing a sorcerer while having a crush on the girl sitting next to him but he doesn't know how to talk to her yet or who he is most of the time.

Barbarian - already forgot her name - was what she was. She mostly fought mooks who weren't a threat, and who missed so much that she didn't miss her armor while throwing them around. I don't know what the stuff is with her only liking halflings and I think a gnome at the end, but that gets a small amount of screen time so I think it's mostly there for laughs / twist value, and doesn't need a scientific analysis. She mentioned something about Elks so I think she's Uthgardt.

Zinc the Paladin was played straight, very well done. Enjoyable, didn't overstay his welcome, and you know exactly what to expect from him. Making Chris Pine swear to share the gold was good.

Monsters:
Sophia - evil wizard - was decent, except her accuracy with Meteor Storm is terrible.
Very nice interpretation of a Displacer Beast.
I don't think you can escape from a Gelatinous Cube by shrinking, but it worked. The cube was stationary, though.
Dealing with a wizard by grappling her and then pounding her repeatedly about the head is, indeed, the correct solution.

I'm sure someone's done a comprehensive list of the spells used, so no need to recapitulate that. There was one moment that looked like Magic Missile, but they missed, so it must've been something else.

yeah I wish the Bard had actually shown more skills and done something useful instead of overplaying the useless bard trope to the end. But he did pull it off well so not a huge ding for me.

No she stuck her hand out of the gelatinous cube leaving a body sized hole that exited the cube. She didn't slither out of the Gelatinous cube. She slithered out of the hole before it closed up on her. If one of my players had tried that I would've let it work.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Where very single millimeter of film shot has to be put back into its rightful place in the film - I want to see twenty minutes of the druid arguing with the turnip sellers in the market over their prices because the sacrifice made by the poor turnips to feed humanity is worth much more than what they're charging for them...

If Critical Role has taught us anything, it's that there is an audience for four hours of in-character shopping and hireling recruitment.