New adventure film has a fresh look

By George Gust

In an age where everyone in Hollywood is looking for brand loyalty and brand recognition, it seems inevitable that someone would return to the Dungeons and Dragons well after the crash and burn “Dungeons and Dragons” movie from 2000 that left no cultural impact or box office impact. However, “Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” feels much different than the other blockbuster would-be tentpole film franchises with its more earnest and knowing tone and focus on delivering a fun film going experience throughout.

“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” follows a charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

As someone largely unfamiliar with the lore and the mechanics of the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons, the expectations of the world building in this film were akin to attending mid-term exam without studying the material, but as the movie unfolds through charming characters and engaging adventure those expectations were greatly exceeded. Where “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among

Thieves” succeeds is the fun and earnest tone. With most big budget movies of late (looking at you Marvel) there is a ‘wink at the camera’ comedic style that lets the audience know they’re in on the joke about these over-the-top antics, where this movie is not ashamed to be a fun and cheesy adventure movie about Dungeons and Dragons.

The cast of “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is a talented and fresh ensemble that is a good encapsulation of the varied characters that appear in the world of the game. Each member of the core team brings their unique energy, led by the endless charm of Pine, who’s able to be earnest, comedic and deliver believably during the action sequences. Hugh Grant is a fun in his role as antagonist and turning this era of his career into a fun villainous character actor and eschew the foppish charming Brit of his early career. Also standing out in the proceedings was Rege-Jean Page who even in limited onscreen time made a large impression in his overpowered character role.

Overall, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is both a fresh kind of adventure blockbuster movie while bringing in the straightforward tone and brisk pacing from some of your favorite adventure movies of the past. There are times the computer-generated effects are less than dazzling, but that less than stellar production and the inclusion of more physical props adds to the throwback blockbuster charm.

“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is rated PG-13 for fantasy action/violence and some language.

3.9 out of 5 stars

To reach George Gust for a comment on this review, please e-mail gust.george@gmail.com

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Wedding dress history

The Edmond History Museum hosts Wedding Dress History Presentation on April 10th at 5:30 for a lecture and panel discussion about our new exhibit, Unveiled: Edmond’s Bridal Fashion, 1875 to 2020. This free program, suitable for adults and interested young people, features three professors from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) professors, Dr. Patti Loughlin, Dr. Joanne Wong, & Heidi Vaughn. Each panelist will discuss a different aspect of wedding history with time for questions at the end.

· Dr. Patti Laughlin will discuss the wedding ceremony of Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory at statehood.

· Dr. Joanne Wong will discuss traditions and fashion trends that influence the styles of wedding gowns and highlight the Dougherty family, featuring Jo Ann Dougherty Compton's wedding dress.

·Heidi Vaughn will be discussing the history of the wedding dress in the UCO Laboratory of History Museum collection referred to as the "Y-Chapel Wedding Dress" and will include information on the history of this WWII-era dress and its intimate connection to the Central campus/

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