DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG A FANBASE

WRITTEN & illustrated by DANAE MATTHEWS

Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves was truly a gem to players of the tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), Dungeons and Dragons.

As a long time player (and now Dungeon Master) myself, I was excited yet wary when the news of this movie came out. Family and friend’s alike were also a mix of excited yet cautious in regards to this movie announcement, so a question ran through all of our minds; would this movie be any good? Was it just another cash grab for a dedicated fanbase? Another rendition without heart?

Well, I can confidently say that Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves honoured its fan base whilst simultaneously making it new viewer/ player friendly. As a stand alone movie, it is a good and charming movie. Whilst it was predictable; that predictability did not take away from the overall narrative. All the characters were likeable, followed a trope and had a natural chemistry that didn’t feel forced (which is always a plus).

However as a Dungeons and Dragons movie, I believe it is a fantastic attempt in that regard. While yes, it was predictable, but it still didn’t take away from the story, nor did it take away from the overall enjoyment of it all.

Now does this movie perfectly portray what it is like to play a Dungeons and Dragons campaign? No, it doesn’t, but it does hold a lot of the tropes in regards to playing the game.

• Overcomplicating a situation that had a simple fix? Check!

• Tragic backstories for a majority of the characters? Check!

• Hot random NPC/character? Check!

• Moments that make you go “Ha! I’ve done that!” in a campaign? Check!

• Betrayal? Check!

• Unexpected allies? Check!

• Moments where you can tell a Natural 1 or a Natural 20 were rolled? Absolutely!

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves also had a fantastic mix of CGI and practical effects. You can truly tell the budget was put to fantastic and wonderful use! Magic in this world felt believable and fantastical. The different races shown in the forgotten realms also looked and felt real! tieflings, elves, humans, halflings, (although comical!) dragonborns, (I can’t express the absolute unit that is the dragonborn in this movie!) aarakocra, and dwarves to name a few. The Forgotten Realms, which is the map setting the movie uses, also felt believable. The spine of the world, the mention of Baldur’s Gate, Waterdeep and the overall look of the city of Neverwinter, absolutely stunning!

When I went to see this movie with 4 of my friends, (one of them I play Dungeons and Dragons with weekly), we all had an absolute blast following the stories and adventure of Edgin, Kira, Simon, Doric, Holga and Xenk. I would recommend everyone to give this movie a watch, and like what I plan to do myself, watch it again! There is so much heart in this movie, and the honour it gave to its players and fan base is something I shall cherish.