Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s true, the makers of “Guardians of the Galaxy” should feel very flattered indeed.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves” feels like a repackaging of “Guardians of the Galaxy” in Middle Earth costumes. While Dungeons never achieves the filmic heights of 2014’s Guardians, it’s certainly worth the ride. Marvel movie-loving tweens and teens will likely enjoy it.
That said, the film is spot on in its PG-13 rating. So if you take younger kids be warned. The first five minutes are potentially nightmare-inducing as the movie deploys some of its darkest and scariest visuals, all heightened by a powerful soundtrack. After that, it’s mostly straight-up Marvel movie fare, complete with wisecracking camaraderie amongst a band of adventurers, peppered with vigorous 20-on-1 battles, most of which demonstrate the character Holga’s (Michelle Rodriguez) strength and Edgin’s (Chris Pine) ability to be tossed around like a ragdoll yet come out of battles none the worse for the wear.
Knowing just enough about the game of D&D to be slightly dangerous, I did go in expecting the film to at least occasionally zoom into a gamers’ table, so we might see what the adventurers’ alter egos are really like. But, alas, no real-world players here. Everything takes place in the fantasy world. So rather than giving a feeling for the tabletop role-playing game, this film is simply set in one of its infinite imaginary worlds. So, fair warning: If your young gamer goes to this film expecting what I did, they are likely to be disappointed.
The filmmakers do, however, manage to get a hint of the feel of the game into the movie. Most notably, there’s a scene where the paladin Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) – the serious-faced Spock of the film – goes on a long spiel reciting the precise rules necessary to cross a particularly persnickety obstacle. Cue a wave of eye-rolls among characters and audience members alike. This, I hear, is very much like the real game, where dungeon masters are known for going on and on about their inventions. The results are put to good use and I won’t spoil them here.
The film has some pacing problems. An hour in I found myself looking at my watch and noticed some youthful restlessness around me in the theater. But all is forgiven if you make it to the end. There are rewards to be had – notably the film’s strong messages about the importance of friends and family, helping others and being true to your word, and in valuing those who are with you rather than pining for those who are already gone.
As the heart and soul of the film, Pine as Edgin does not disappoint. But this is an ensemble piece and strong performances are key to the experience. On that score, kudos to Simon (Justice Smith), as a bumbling yet affable wizard who starts out riddled with self-doubt but discovers there’s nobody in his way except himself. His transformation might even find him love. He’s a Charlie Brown for the Gen Alpha set.
Is the film worthy of its “Dungeons and Dragons” name? I think hardcore fans of the game – which turns 50 this year – will be disappointed by the absence of any representation of actual gameplay. But for the newly initiated, it’s a fun romp that may have them taking a more curious, possibly appreciative look at that table of nerds off in the corner of the lunch room rolling their 20-sided dice.
Nudity: None
Rating: PG13 appropriate, possibly ok for a mature 11y/o with a parent.
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