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!

 

[haakon1]

Vox Machina and Honor Among Thieves.

I stopped watching Vox Machina this season. The premiere - let’s watch DMPC dragons be kewl while PC’s do nothing - I’d need Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons to describe my reaction to that.

I hope HAT is better. From the trailers, I think it is, by far.

 

[nevin]

Vox machina is entertaining but way overhyped I don't think it's fantastic but then neither are the adventures they've published. We've been playing the original adventure and it's stuck hard on rails not nearly as fun as I thought it would be.

 

[Seramus]

the Arrowverse had more humour and was brighter.

I tried to read your post, but had 21 flashbacks before I reached the end of the season.

 

[nevin]

I remember when flashbacks were cool, now they just make me want to scream. Just keep the story going....

 

[haakon1]

I remember when flashbacks were cool, now they just make me want to scream. Just keep the story going....

Totally. Vox Machina is full of them this season.

”Worst episode ever!
I shall only watch it 3 more times today.”
- Comic Book Guy, The Simpsons

 

[Doctor Futurity]

All this thread has done oddly is desperately make me want to pull out my old AD&D 1E books and run Keep on the Borderlands again.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

All this thread has done oddly is desperately make me want to pull out my old AD&D 1E books and run Keep on the Borderlands again.

Never a bad impulse.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

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."

I'm sorry Den of "Geek" (yeah I can use dismissive scare quotes too), but what are these movies where the stakes are higher than I feel playing a ttrpg? Sure ttrpg plots are often dumb, throw-away things, but (outside, perhaps, of certain revived nostalgic touchstones which usually disappoint) a movie is never going to involve the level of investment I have in a character I've personally spent dozens of hours roleplaying.

Your attempt to relate the film to its source material has completely missed the nature of the source material, and leads me to question your so-called geek credentials.

 

[haakon1]

All this thread has done oddly is desperately make me want to pull out my old AD&D 1E books and run Keep on the Borderlands again.

I know what you mean! And oddly, KotB was Basic, not AD&D 1e, but that’s how I played it and eventually DMed it too.

 

[MarkB]

I'm sorry Den of "Geek" (yeah I can use dismissive scare quotes too), but what are these movies where the stakes are higher than I feel playing a ttrpg? Sure ttrpg plots are often dumb, throw-away things, but (outside, perhaps, of certain revived nostalgic touchstones which usually disappoint) a movie is never going to involve the level of investment I have in a character I've personally spent dozens of hours roleplaying.

Your attempt to relate the film to its source material has completely missed the nature of the source material, and leads me to question your so-called geek credentials.

Really? I get pretty invested in games, but I've never been under the impression that there would be terrible consequences if I missed a session or failed a check.