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

[MNblockhead]

Have we become over-used to CGI?

Maybe. But bad GCI is even worse. I just felt that some of the practical effects really stood out as fake. I realize it sounds silly to say that for a movie like this, but they didn't fit in well for me and took me out of the movie a bit.

For me, it was the Aarakocra and the Dragonborn somewhat. For my son and wife it was the Tabaxi. Especially the scene with the fish.

I found it interesting that my wife found the fish itself to be the most "fake." That didn't bother me, but then I find many large fish in real life feel fake. Like, I've pulled yellow fin tuna out of the ocean and they don't look like real animals.

 

[MNblockhead]

I think the point you are making is more than two "greats" sounds silly?

Sure and the fact that I don't think it is silly to say I'm a descendant of my great grandfather. It seemed that others were arguing that it was unusual for people to refer to themselves as "descendants" of anyone as recent as a great-great grandfather. I don't think so and find it more strange to refer to myself as someone's great-great grandson or even great grandson. Beyond grandson, I just say descendant. For those who find that strange, what do they say? Just great grandchild, great-great grandchild, and so forth?

 

[Undrave]

Man, the behind the scenes footage makes them look much more cool then they were in the movies. I found the practical effects for the Aarakocra, Tabaxi, and Dragonborn to be a bit jarring when watching the movie.

You're probably just not used to them anymore. I watch dudes in monster costumes every week, these guys looked great. The Tabaxi mother was maybe a little TOO fluffy for my taste but that's about it.

 

[Maxperson]

What do you call yourself in relation to you great grandfather? Drawing from common law, you could say you were "an issue" of your grandfathers. But that always struck me as gross and made me want to giggle whenever my elderly law professor used that term in my 1L property law course.

I say I'm my parents' "son" and my grandparents' "grandson", but beyond that, its easier in English to just say "descendant." I mean, I think I'm an alright son, maybe even a bit grand, but great is pushing it, and I really don't feel like a great-great anything.

I'd use great grandson. I'd even use great great grandson. That's where I'd draw the line, though.

 

[nevin]

Anyone know if the maps from the movie are available online? Not to buy, but electronically?

I'd love one....

 

[OB1]

Enjoyed the film even more on second viewing. Will be getting a physical 4k disk when it comes out and imagine this will be on heavy rotation. It's a really well executed fantasy story where in any given scene, there is clarity of conflict between the characters and their objectives. The opening 30 minutes also seemed much smoother the 2nd time through compared to the 1st.

A few other random things I noticed:

Nice Jurassic Park nods in the opening sequence and in the Thumberchaud escape.
Got a big New Hope vibe when Edgin decides to turn around.
Doric's wildshape escape was just incredible.
Holga's first fight sequence is a great action scene, and she's a bada$$
Simon and Doric's relationship is really well plotted out.
I hope there is an extended cut available on digital when it comes out. I wouldn't mind spending another 20-30 minutes with this crew.

Will probably see at least once more in theatres (with my wife's gaming group) maybe a couple more times.

 

[JohnSnow]

@Whizbang Dustyboots: I actually thought that the best way to model Druid Wildshape in Shadowdark is to handle it exactly the way Kelsey handled the Priest's Turn Undead. In other words, it's a spell, but one that you just know as part of your class.

Something like:
WILDSHAPE
Tier 2 (special), Druid
Duration: Concentration
Range: Self
You transform yourself and any gear you carry into another non-flying natural creature that you've seen which is close to your size with level equal to your level or less. You gain that creature's hit points, armor class, and attacks, but retain your intellect.

If you cast this as a tier 3 spell, you gain the ability to change into flying creatures and the size may vary from as small as a mouse to as big as a large bear. If you cast this as a tier 4 spell, you may shift into any natural creature from the size of a bug to that of an elephant.

If you go to 0 hit points while under the effects of this spell, you revert to your true form at 1 hit point.


(I'm not quite sure you need all the levels, but I liked the idea that it gets better, and it basically makes "Shapechange" the Tier 5 version of this spell. You could also handle this with Talents.)

 

[Zaukrie]

Even better the second time, somehow. I tried to look in the background on every scene to see if there were more monsters or whatever "off screen" as it were, but didn't notice anything more than the first time.

Seeing it with a full theater was much more fun than an empty one, but the IMAX screen was better.....

 

[Birmy]

Extra comment on the appearance of Elminster, I suspect it was done literally just to let Elminster stand out. From Odin to Merlin to Gandalf to Dumbledore, there’s just has wayyyyy too many Wizards whose look is “old white dude with a long beard,” that 1) it has become a bit of a cliche, and 2) we’re running out of old white British dudes who haven’t already done it.

Also,I just checked and he’s not credited as “Elminster,” but merely “Ethereal Plane Sorcerer,” so I wonder if he’s supposed to be a different ancestor of Simon’s.

I'd have to see it again to confirm, but I believe the dialogue never explicitly identifies him as Elminster (Simon says something to the effect of "You're my ancestor" or great-grandfather or something to that effect, as others have noted), so there's wiggle room there. Since it turned out to be a projection of Simon or reflection of Simon anyway, they could potentially cast whoever they like should they want to actually go there (or, hell, let Ed have the cameo).

 

[OB1]

I'd have to see it again to confirm, but I believe the dialogue never explicitly identifies him as Elminster (Simon says something to the effect of "You're my ancestor" or great-grandfather or something to that effect, as others have noted), so there's wiggle room there. Since it turned out to be a projection of Simon or reflection of Simon anyway, they could potentially cast whoever they like should they want to actually go there (or, hell, let Ed have the cameo).

The way it read to me.

Simon knows that Elminster is his great-grandfather, and is worried about living up to that name.
Simon initially mistakes the person he see's when attuning as being Elminster, but eventually realizes that it's himself holding him back.