With Stranger Things, Critical Role and The Adventure Zone catapulting D&D into the mainstream, I guess it should not come as a surprise that Hollywood would decide to cash in.
Considering how the previous movies about the game, namely Mazes and Monsters and Dark Dungeons, portrayed the game as evil and fed into the satanic panic, maybe this film can be seen as an attempt to clear the air.
However, I would be dishonest if I said I wasn’t confused as hell when I heard the announcement a while back. How were they going to do this?
After watching the trailer for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I am 100% on board.
First off, I was screaming when I saw the owlbear and the mimic, two iconic creatures in the game. The more I watched, the more I noticed, just as the gelatinous cube, displacer beast and our big bad evil guy Litch. Also getting to see spells in such a badass way is a treat.
I understand there is a bit of controversy over the tiefling design and how she turned into an owlbear from a horse, but I don’t care. I like her design and this is a film adaptation, so it stands to reason that it isn’t confined to spell mechanics like the game is. My only complaint is how human the cast is. That might sound dumb but really, no half-orcs? Not even a dwarf? Come on! A party consisting of (as far as we can tell at this moment) humans and one tiefling? That seems a bit dull to me and fails to highlight the creativity of the game in terms of making characters. This is a petty nitpick, I get that. Who knows, maybe one is an aasimar finding their wings or something.
I am shocked by the star power in this film, how in the hell did they get Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page and Michelle Rodriguez? Also, whoever came up with the idea of Pine playing the role of a bard, you are a legend. That is perfect casting if I have ever seen it. Hats off to you, mate.
From the trailer, we can see many iconic elements of D&D represented. From puzzles, dungeons, and epic fights to the classic troupe of planning in a tavern. I have yet to play in a campaign where that doesn’t happen at least once. It practically comes standard with every module you can get your hands on, all but built into the game.
I may have been a sceptic when I first heard the news, but now I am counting down the days until its release. I’m already trying to talk my D&D group into coming to see it with me. Wish me luck!
Nerd Rambles 