D&D Movie/TV The D&D Movie Reviews Are Coming In

While Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves doesn't come out until March 31st, reviewers have seen early screenings--and so far at least—it's all almost all overwhelmingly positive.

Of course, while those who follow genre movie news will know that's not an unusual pattern among early screenings, with things starting to settle down a bit later, Rotten Tomatoes currently has the movie at 100%. We can expect that to drop.

[UPDATE -- the Rotten Tomatoes score is now starting to drop and was at 92% at the time of this edit.]
[UPDATE -- now 84%.]

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the...

www.rottentomatoes.com

Hollywood Reporter said "An adaptation that will appeal to the nostalgic side of existing fans and entertain those whose eyes glaze over at the mention of Dungeon Masters, bards or druids." Variety's verdict was "It’s at once cheesy and charming, synthetic and spectacular, cozily derivative and rambunctiously inventive, a processed piece of junk-culture joy that, by the end, may bring a tear to your eye." Den of Geek says "At last, here is a crowdpleaser that actually pleases, and not least of all because the stakes are as small as an evening with some mates going on "a quest" by way of a 20-sided die." And Total Film speaks of "A Pine-fuelled mix of humour, handsome settings and high-stakes action turns the beloved board game into a big-screen treat."

Other outlets agree. According to Polygon "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is everything a D&D fan could want" and The Wrap says "This Hilarious Epic Fantasy Is a Total Blast". Deadline also gives it a positive review, saying "With renewed interest in the fantasy genre, it’s good to see something outside of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones getting it right and having a good time. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is also one of the better game adaptations to hit theaters due to all of the elements coming together — a strong cast, a decent story, dynamic direction and pleasing special effects."

Rolling Stone is a little more tempered, however, observing that "‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Proves Chris Pine Can Save Anything" but warns that "no matter how much the creators confess their love of the game, all of those shout-outs to creatures, character types, campaign details and so on feel like annoying distractions."

RogerEbert.com feels that "The film often feels like it’s faking what the creators love about the game instead of trying to translate it from one medium to another."

But so far, so good! We'll have to wait to see if the trend holds up once the movie is out, but for those hoping we'll finally have a decent D&D movie--it looks like there is hope to be had!

 

[Clint_L]

Dan Murrell gives it a rave; calls it "the pleasant surprise of the year, by far":


I generally find his taste very reliable.

 

[Stormonu]

There is a moment when the actors applaud and thank the people at the theater for going to the theater. I’ve never seen that before.

Although I very much thought the thanks by the actors was a nice touch (And I suspect we'll see more of this, like after-credit scenes as it played so well with Maverick), the "proper place to watch it is in a theater" PSA they tacked on I hope will be left out from others. It came across as "TV/Streaming will rot your eyes out kids".

 

[Nylanfs]

I can say that I unequivocally loved it yesterday.

 

[This Effin’ GM]

I had a great time watching it

 

[Micah Sweet]

Although I very much thought the thanks by the actors was a nice touch (And I suspect we'll see more of this, like after-credit scenes as it played so well with Maverick), the "proper place to watch it is in a theater" PSA they tacked on I hope will be left out from others. It came across as "TV/Streaming will rot your eyes out kids".

I would think it was more like, "Our profit margins are better in theaters".

 

[EthanSental]

Anyone hear any stats?

I looked on box office mojo and the 26th ranked movie for the weekend made 3,424.00

I’m not sure how early screenings count for sales or if they are included but just in the 3 or so mentions of theaters, there were 200 or so people at $10. Surely it got more than 4K in sales for Sunday nationwide? I’ll be seeing again with friends but if avatar gets to keep re-releasing the original movie to keep from losing its number 1 spot, surely these weekend revenues should roll in for Honor Among Thieves to be counted

 

[Loren the GM]

There is a moment when the actors applaud and thank the people at the theater for going to the theater. I’ve never seen that before.

Yeah, kind of a fun plug for theaters. I thought it was a little awkward how it was produced (all the angles of people not looking at the camera, even though they were talking directly to us). My favorite part was just Hugh Grant, who was projecting a very "I am contractually obligated to be here" sort of vibe in that segment, which I found funny (and added to my enjoyment of the segment). All the others seemed to be at least trying.

 

[darjr]

Yeah, kind of a fun plug for theaters. I thought it was a little awkward how it was produced (all the angles of people not looking at the camera, even though they were talking directly to us). My favorite part was just Hugh Grant, who was projecting a very "I am contractually obligated to be here" sort of vibe in that segment, which I found funny (and added to my enjoyment of the segment). All the others seemed to be at least trying.

I think they are playing a bit to a schtick. The woman who plays the tiefling druid def does.

 

[Parmandur]

Yeah, kind of a fun plug for theaters. I thought it was a little awkward how it was produced (all the angles of people not looking at the camera, even though they were talking directly to us). My favorite part was just Hugh Grant, who was projecting a very "I am contractually obligated to be here" sort of vibe in that segment, which I found funny (and added to my enjoyment of the segment). All the others seemed to be at least trying.

A major part of Hugh Grant's charm is that he always gives off that energy but makes it fun.

 

[Clint_L]

A major part of Hugh Grant's charm is that he always gives off that energy but makes it fun.

Except in real life when apparently he gives it off for real and it is not always fun. I love him in films but allegedly he can be quite a PITA to work with. Seems like he's perfect for this movie, though!

 

[Parmandur]

Except in real life when apparently he gives it off for real and it is not always fun. I love him in films but allegedly he can be quite a PITA to work with. Seems like he's perfect for this movie, though!

Well, that's not really surprising.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

All the audience scores vanished from Rotten Tomatoes, like WTF, they just screwed over the movie. This was a review bombing, this was actual happy people who saw it at early screenings. If I was Paramount I'd be giving RT an earful.

 

[Parmandur]

All the audience scores vanished from Rotten Tomatoes, like WTF, they just screwed over the movie. This was a review bombing, this was actual happy people who saw it at early screenings. If I was Paramount I'd be giving RT an earful.

Probably ly standard procedure for modertor review.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Well, that's not really surprising.

What's not surprising? You're responding to someone who blocked me (probably @Vaalingrade ).

 

[OB1]

I looked on box office mojo and the 26th ranked movie for the weekend made 3,424.00

I’m not sure how early screenings count for sales or if they are included but just in the 3 or so mentions of theaters, there were 200 or so people at $10. Surely it got more than 4K in sales for Sunday nationwide? I’ll be seeing again with friends but if avatar gets to keep re-releasing the original movie to keep from losing its number 1 spot, surely these weekend revenues should roll in for Honor Among Thieves to be counted

All of the early screening sales will be added into the official Friday release number for the official tally (pushing up the opening weekend total). That said, if it's doing well in previews, we might see an unofficial number released to help build up hype.

 

[Parmandur]

What's not surprising? You're responding to someone who blocked me (probably @Vaalingrade ).

That Hugh Grnt is regarded as difficult to work with.

 

[Mistwell]

They had someone on set frequently and someone on call often, according to Daley.

I'd love to see that comment. Only comment I saw was early script consulting. I'd be surprised if WOTC flew someone to Belfast for months on end but it's possible.

 

[Parmandur]

I'd love to see that comment. Only comment I saw was early script consulting. I'd be surprised if WOTC flew someone to Belfast for months on end but it's possible.

They may have meant they were on call for Zoom conversafions, too.

 

[bedir than]

I'd love to see that comment. Only comment I saw was early script consulting. I'd be surprised if WOTC flew someone to Belfast for months on end but it's possible.

I'll try to track it down

 

[OB1]

I'd love to see that comment. Only comment I saw was early script consulting. I'd be surprised if WOTC flew someone to Belfast for months on end but it's possible.

Found it @bedir than

From the Variety Article interview

GOLDSTEIN: It never left us with this one. We had people looking over our shoulder from the brand, from the studio. Even on set, we had advisers who said, “Well, she has to say something if she’s going to do the spell, because the spell has a verbal component.” The good thing about working with D&D specifically is it’s not like we’re bound by the characters or preexisting stories. We made up almost all the characters that are in here.