I have never in my life played the game Dungeons and Dragons, but when I saw the trailer for the film I was intrigued. So when the film, "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" hit theaters I was ready to see this fantasy/heist adventure starring Chris Pine. The film begins by introducing us to Edgin Darvis (Pine), who is a bard ( characters capable of combat, and use their artistic talents to induce magical effects, even though this bard uses no magic), and a member of the Harpers, an order of peacekeepers. Edgin's time as a peacekeeper ends when his wife is killed by disciples of the Red Wizard, of whom he had previously arrested. As a result of his wife's murder, he turns to his friend Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), a barbarian, who helps raise his daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman). The duo turn to a life of thievery and team with amateur sorcerer Simon Aumar (Justice Smith), rogue Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), and the mysterious acquaintance Sofina(Daisy Head). When the group attempts to rob a Harper stronghold, things go terribly bad and Edgin and Holga are captured. After being held in prison for two years the duo escape to the city/state of Neverwinter where they discover their former partner and friend Froge and become Lord of the city/state. While he has been the leader of Neverwinter, Forge has been taking care of Kira, who has been told her father abandoned her. When Edgin finally sees his daughter again, she rejects him due to the lies of Forge. Edgin and Holga also discover Sofina is actually a Red Wizard (the really bad guys), and is preparing to execute the duo, buy the attempt fails, and Edgin and Holga plan on robbing Forge's vault and rescue Kira.The duo plan on the rescue and theft during the High Sun Games, a gladiatorial event that had once been banned but were resurrected by the greedy Forge. However, the duo need help in their efforts, and once again team with Simon and add Doric (Sophia Lillis), a tiefling druid (a mix of human and "something else" with special shapeshifting powers). The group then attempt to get a magic relic known as "The Helm of Disjunction" from a paladin( a knight) named Xenk Yandar (Rege-Jean Page) who fled his country after the Red Wizards turned his people into an undead army. When the group meets Xenk, he agrees to help only if Edgin agrees to turn over any bounty the group gets to the people. Xenk guides the group through the Underdark (a subterranean group of caverns and tunnels) to find the Helm of which he no longer possesses. The group finds the Helm, but are attacked by a group of assassins sent by Sofina, and after fighting the bad guys, run afoul of an overweight dragon with a nasty attitude. The group manages to escape the dragon and assassins, and use the retrieved Helm to enter Forge's vault during the games. However, the group is captured and are forced to enter the games, minus Xenk, who left the group after they retrieved the Helm. The group manage to survive the games thanks to some magic and clever maneuvers, and escape via a boat but turn back when they see the city is being visabilly attacked by Sofina. The group battle the powerful Sofina, but emerge victorious, and the real Lord of Neverwinter returns and Forge gets his comeuppance. As I mentioned earlier, I have no knowledge of the world of Dungeons and Dragons, so all of the aforementioned was new to me and enjoyable.I felt vibes of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter", so I was having a blast in the theater. The cast was wonderful, led by the perfectly cast Pine, whose wit and humor are put to perfect use in the film. I loved all of his wisecracks and banter with his co-stars, especially those with Page. The film is filled with action and wonderful special effects, even though I wish more dragons had been in the film, but I guess that's nitpicking. For someone who had no clue about the subject matter, other than it was fantasy based, I had a blast watchking "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves", and if you are so inclined I'm sure you will too. Now playing in theaters. (Rated PG-13)
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