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CINEMA REVIEW

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THE OTHER D&D MOVIE

REVIEW

Hollywood’s first foray into the world of D&D was 23 years ago with the universally panned Dungeons & Dragons , starring Jeremy Irons, Marlon Wayans, Thora Birch, and Bruce

IT’S A BIG THUMBS UP FOR DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES

Payne. The project had been in various

stages of development since the early ‘80s, with directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and James Cameron attached to direct. Despite its box office failure and ridicule by critics and audiences, the 2000 film spawned two direct-to-video sequels, which were faithful to the game but also major disappointments.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honour AmongThieves truly delivers the goods following a rocky road of development and delayed release dates. Words Glenn Cochrane

U nrelated to the previous trilogy of Dungeons & Dragons movies, this latest instalment takes a different tack by infusing razor-sharp wit, which not only provides an abundance of laughs, but also informs the entire story. Chris Pine leads the way as the charismatic bard, Edrin Darvis, who embarks with his band of crafty thieves on a quest to find a mystical tablet that will allow him to bring his murdered wife back to life. Joining him is a barbarian named Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), an unskilled sorcerer named Simon (Justice Smith), and a Tiefling Druid wood elf named Doric (Sophia Lillis). Together they must outsmart a former colleague turned con artist, Forge (Hugh Grant), by enlisting the help of Xenk (Regé-Jean Page), a paladin Holy Warrior. It’s likely that those unfamiliar with the popular Dungeons & Dragons role playing game wouldn’t have understood many of the character references dropped in the previous passage – indeed, there's a lot of geek-speak

comparable purpose. Pine and Rodriguez bounce off each other effortlessly, making for an unexpectedly endearing partnership. Hugh Grant delivers another classic performance, doing what only he knows how. And while he’s certainly guilty of having a type (some would say he plays himself), he does it so darned well. Much like his recent villainous role in Paddington 2 , he oozes charm and charisma here, while being wholeheartedly arrogant and conniving. Grant’s would be the film's standout performance were it not for Justice Smith knocking it out of the park as the rookie wizard. His enthusiasm, along with zero confidence and self-deprecation, is the highlight of the film. He fails to recognise what others do – that he might be the most powerful amongst the band of adventurers, if only he believed in himself. Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is a highlight of this year's first quarter, and is engaging for the entirety of its 134-minute running time. Imagine blending The Lord of the Rings with The Princess Bride , adding a touch of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and a pinch of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves . That should give you a good idea of what to expect, and seeing it on the big screen with an eager audience is highly recommended.

Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez

while also leaning heavily into the world of D&D for avid players. Taking a comedic direction was a gamble, and one that risked upsetting those who love the game most. But rather than making a mockery of the popular universe, it embraces it with gusto, offering lashings of comedy with an attitude that so many friends sitting around the game table would employ throughout their own journeys. Chris Pine is fantastic in the lead and chews up his lines with relish. His dashing and none too-bright character is both heroic and lucky, with a knack for guessing his way out of every predicament. Michelle Rodriguez is also excellent – and often hilarious – as the all-too-serious warrior who keeps her emotions in check.

when it comes to this subject. However, just like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia , the movie stands on its own and doesn’t require any pre-existing knowledge of the game. It's simple to follow and thoroughly entertaining for newcomers,

Jeremy Irons appeared in Dungeons & Dragons (2000) to pay for home renovations. DYK?

Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is in cinemas now.

Her portrayal evokes Dave Bautista's Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy , with a

12 APRIL 2020

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