Movie Review: DnD: Honor Among Thieves

 

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to Movie Review.

Ever since we like to playing games, we always love to playing board games, whether you play with your family, your friends or maybe on your own for which-ever reasons. But one game that is a big deal since 1974, is Dungeons and Dragons. Dungeons and Dragons was possibly a game changer for tabletop/board games, its not just a game, its an adventure that you play as an adventurer for the conquest where-ever you go, while you follow the Dungeon Master for narrative and summoning monsters. Like I said, it was a big deal from the past to the present, the latter of which has becoming more complex with many stories, tactics and many others, which is probably explained why I’ve never played DnD, maybe I wanna playing the board game of DnD, just saying. Anyway, since DnD is popular to this day, its no stranger that Hollywood want to cash-in over the tabletop RPG game.

“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is a 2023 fantasy action comedy film that was written/directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, produced by Jeremy Latcham, Briand Goldner, and Nick Meyer, and co-written by Michael Gilio and Chris McKay (the latter for story).

If anyone may or may not know, its not the first time we have a movie based on DnD, there’s the 2000 film that was easily the worst one ever, which I won’t even bother to either watching nor talking about it. Anyway, the development all started back in 2013 where Warner Bros are about to make a movie based on DnD, but it was quickly halted due to a lawsuit between Hasbro (the toy company who owned DnD with their subsidiary “Wizards of the Coast”) and Universal Pictures, because they’re about about to making their own DnD movie, which resulting a legal battle for who own the right first, two years later, the judge settled to Hasbro, leaving Warner Bros got their right for their production, however, the script was given for the movie for their plan, but didn’t turned out well, after long years of development hell, the film’s production was changed from Warner Bros to Paramount for new direction, where it was originally going to be Chris McKay and Michael Gilio for co-directors, but it was took over by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, not just co-directors, but co-writers as well.

So, with all that said, will Honor Among Thieves are worth of watch to making me playing DnD, or this film feels like a punishment by Dungeon Master?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

This movie takes place in the campaign called “Forgotten Realms” and I found out its a full on reboot than the follow up of the crappy DnD trilogy. Does the story is actually good? Well, I think so.

The opens in the prison tower that we introduce two heroes, Edgin the bard of The Harpers, and Holga the barbarian. Where upon their origin for they’re in a prison tower, Edgin was in member group of The Harpers for peace against the evil threat like Red Wizards. After giving he and his wife (not Holga) got a daughter Kira, his wife was tragically killed by him that he got arrested. Struggling to be a father, along with having Holga to be like a mother figure (along with having extra party members, Simon the amateur sorcerer and mysterious Sofina to stealing currencies, including getting a “Tablet of Reawakening” in order to resurrecting his wife, but Sofina turned against them, while Simon escaped, but Edgin and Holga are taken to the prison tower in Revel’s End,, after their escape, they ran away to Neverwinter that Edgin wants to reuniting his daughter, but she’s taken care by both Sofina (who happens to be Red Wizard) and Forge (who used to be with Edgin back then) that not only they refuse his apology for his selfish greed, but they turn against him and Holga, but one Edgin and Holga both reuniting Simon and even a new party member, Doric the Tiefling druid,its up to them to find the way to take down both Forge and Sofina to bring back Edgin’s daughter.

The plot is pretty standard fantasy themed family struggle that the main hero wasn’t as good to be a father that he wants his daughter back from the evil caretakers, but even though it may not be as special story, but the execution is surprisingly promising for a very good writing when it comes to DnD’s world, like the world building, the rules and even showcase of treasure and abilities, which I appreciated they’re trying to giving us a development for a movie based on DnD, even though it can be complex like DnD itself, but its worth of giving shot for noobs like me. Of course, the movie also add some sense of humors, which I will admit, its actually chuckle worthy to giving us, especially there are some moment that I actually laughing out loud with the viewers, even though it has a sense of humor, at least its self-aware when it comes to the limits in DnD of skills, magic and others.

While the story is about father getting his daughter back, but its the execution has done pretty good to share us what is about DnD, for the most part.

The Presentation

For a DnD movie costed $150M, it looks pretty cool and even well-presented with its elements.

For started, the filming location is a double-edge sword, ranging from filming outside to filming in the studio with green screen, but in fairness, they’re actually done pretty nice. Aside some moments were filmed in the studio, but they filmed in both Iceland and Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is pretty nice places and fitting for fantasy action film like DnD.

As for the effects and the design, they look pretty good for say the least. The design of the outfits and setting are pretty typical for movie based on DnD, but at least they look somewhat bright and even colorful. Plus, some outfits they gave us either nicely fit for which class the characters are, but some could be questionable either it works or not. Of course, we have other species than humans either done with practical make-up or CG’d in post-production, even though I know some creatures like Owlbear and Themberchaud (aka a dragon if he’s extra chonky), but some that I never heard or lost the names like humanoid bird in the prison tower, a deadly panther with carnivorous plant tentacle, and some others.

As for the effects, they are pretty impressive, imagine the similar effect in MCU, only, you know, fantasy themed like DnD for the lighting, the magic, a background effect and couple others what they give.

And lastly, we have the action scenes, I will say, some action scenes are pretty good to watch for fighting against the guards, obstacle chase away from Themberchaud and the climax of the third act. But as far as I know, its only Holga pulling the action scenes to beat down the guards with her strength and weapons, which is disappointing that we want to see other party members in action, which wouldn’t be until, again, the climax at the third act. I get this is a purpose for Michelle Rodriguez for her action scenes (such as Fast and Furious series), but I wish some other actors deserve a shot for action scenes, but it does cut into some brief humor moments during the action scenes, kinda annoying, but hey, its worth of chuckle.

While some presentation have some flaws, but it looks pretty good for its action, the setting and the designs.

The Characters

You expected the DnD characters will have some generic personalities based on their classes for their adventure? Well, they have a nice personalities for the most part.

Lets starts with Edgin Darvis (played by Chris Pine, aka James Kirk in Star Trek and aka Steve Trevor in DCEU’s Wonder Woman), the bard and leader of his party after being taken to the prison for his robbery of treasures for his own family struggle. I find him a fun character in the movie, even if he can be an unlikely hero as a bard, which most leader are either fighter, a sorcerer or some others to be fitting nicely, but as a bard? Pretty unlikely, but he is the main character of the movie, even though he is a comedic role, but he also wants his heart for his daughter that he cared, despite getting himself into trouble for being a thief. Even though being a bard to be a leader of the group is unlikely, but Chris Pine did a fun work of his role with his heart, humor and even his singing as a bard.

Next up, we have Holga Kilgore (played by Michelle Rodriguez), the barbarian of the group after being exiled from her tribe for marrying an outsider. She’s quite of badass for being a female barbarian for her purpose of the aforementioned action scenes. While she’s for the purpose of action scenes, but she may have a chemistry with Edgin, since despite the bard’s wife died, she’s like a mother figure to Kira, or so we thought, which we do see her interact with Kira, but it was brief. But again, this mainly for chemistry with Edgin to be together to get his daughter back. While her action is all for her and her chemistry is alright, but Rodriguez did a nice work of her role with some humor and her action skills.

After that, we have Simon Aumar (played by Justice Smith), a half human/half-elf amateur sorcerer who’s meant to be the next generation from his Aumar’s family. I find him not bad, even though im assuming he’s meant to have a humor role, but im pretty sure he’s kinda being self-aware when it comes for being a newbie sorcerer. Though I find him passable, Justice did an ok role of sorceress, this is like the third time I mentioned him from Jurassic World to Detective Pikachu.

Next, we have Doric (played by Sophia Lillis),a Tiefling druid in Neverwinter Wood and a member of Emerald Enclave with her special ability to turning into various animals. While I enjoy see her transforming into various animals and even helping out our heroes for the plans, but the problem is… She’s rather a lackluster character that she didn’t have a special personality, even she’s meant to be Simon’s love interest that she rejects him, but again, despite her cool ability, but again, she’s an underdeveloped druid that she could’ve been a promising member. While Sophia did a good work of her role, but the way she’s written feels like the writer has forgotten about her.

Then we have Xenk Yendar (played by Rege-Jean Page) a paladin who escaped from Red Wiward’s “Rise to power” threat in Thay that he became a paladin and guiding our heroes to finding The Helm. He’s a pretty fascinating one that maybe he could be a the 5th and powerful party member in order to rescue Edgin’s daughter against the evil Red Wizard? Well, despite helping our heroes, he has a brief appearance, meaning he only shown in the second act and then he just left. Its really disappointing that, like Holga, he’s both badass and gave us the action against the evil threat, but its shame that he’s all like “Thanks for your help to defend me and getting valuable weapon, gotta go byeee!”. Its a shame for his brief appearance, cause not only he looks cool, but also Page did a nice work of his role.

And finally, we have Forge Fitzwilliam (played by Hugh Grant), a hero turned rogue and con-artist for being the lord of Neverwinter and caretaker of Kira after turning away from Edgin’s party members. I find him a fascinating villain in the movie, he seems to be a nice person for being a caretaker for Edgin’s daughter, but behind his nice mask, he’s like both manipulative, greedy and careless that im probably assuming he’s pretty much inflating his ego for being the leader in the Neverwinter on his way. But of course, Hugh Grant did a pretty good work of his role for his humor and some sarcastic way in his con-artist role.

As for the rest, they may have some promising, but they have either minimal of appearance or lack of development.

There’s Kira (played by Chloe Coleman) who’s Edgin’s daughter for being taken care by con-artist lord, Sofina (played by Daisy Head) who’s one of the Red Wizard and Forge’s henchwoman for her threat at anybody over Forge, and Dralas (played by James Wong) who’s Sofina’s assassin to going after our heroes, and Marlamin (played by Bradley Cooper, aka Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy) who’s Holga’s ex-girlfriend.

While some characters are wasted or underdeveloped, but they’re both good and nice work of acting, for the most part either writing or subpar acting.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, DnD: Honor Among Thieves is a pretty good movie based a RPG game from Hasbro/ Wizards of the Coast, the story is a pretty good for the setting to some first taste of DnD’s world, the presentation looks great, the action scenes are fun, the writing is good and the characters are good too.

While I appreciated their taste of new DnD film, but sometimes there might be some lack of substance some characters with a lack of development, some brief appearance and some writing could be questionable, despite its good.

Even though its not a perfect movie, but its a pretty good film that you should check out as both fantasy action fans and DnD fans. If you want some first taste of DnD like I do, maybe this film is for you. And this is certainly better than the embarrassing one from 2000.

For my rating, im gonna give this one, 8/10.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out

Movie Review: The Super Mario Bros Movie

 

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to my first movie review in 2023 marathon.

Yup, its about time to do a review of movies in 2023, took me a while of waiting since my focus of movies from the past.

Anyway, last year, I reviewed Sonic The Hedgehog 2, which while it has a same problem as the first one, at least its better than the first one. After watching two Sonic movies, I’ve been waiting and wondering how’s been about the new video game movie based on Super Mario Bros, cause after all, Super Mario is everywhere since the resurrection of video game industry after the Video Game Crash of 1983. Especially as a fan of Nintendo, I’ve always wanted to see a movie based on Mario, until we have one here today.

“The Super Mario Bros Movie” is a 2023 animated adventure video game movie that was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, produced by Chris Meledandri (Yup, the same producer of Sing and Puss in Boots 2) and Shigeru Miyamoto (Yup, the great creator of Nintendo franchises) and written by Matthew Fogel.

Of course if anybody may or may not know, this isn’t the first time we have a movie based on Mario. The first of which came from 1993 as “Super Mario Bros: The Movie”, which was widely considered as the worst movie based on video game how this movie barely follows from the video game, either that or maybe il reviewing it in my future.

Anyway, after we had… THAT, decades later, it appears Nintendo are opened to try again for another movie based on Mario, so Shigeru Miyamoto was looking around for distributions for the plan, he started with Sony (Huh, ironic since Nintendo betrayed Sony while making a console for SNES with CD, but I digress) to having an animated movie based on Mario, but once Sony got hacked in November of 2014 by the Korean hackers for revealing emails, that plan didn’t turned out well, so Nintendo moved to Universal. While they constructed to opened “Super Mario World” in Universal Studios (both Japan and US), Miyamoto met Chris Meledandri (the producer and the head of Illumination), they had a hesitation at first, but they finally accepted the deal for making an animated movie based on Mario, especially when we saw last year’s Nintendo Direct that has some promising, but with hesitation from the cast (don’t worry, we’ll get there).

So, with all that said, will Nintendo finally gave us a good Mario movie, or we should stay away from Mushroom Kingdom to stay as plumber?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

While I appreciated that the plot isn’t a typical damsel in distress like many times in Mario games, if the writing needs to be development.

The movie begins with a bang, where we introduce the main villain, the King Koopa known as Bowser is on the rampage in the world of Mushroom Kingdom with capturing Super Star in the Ice World. Meanwhile, we introduce our plumbing heroes, Mario and Luigi, are starting their plumbing business in Brooklyn (Huh, similar to 1993, but much better without the dinosaurs), but they had a rocky start, due to their father disapproves when they left Spike’s Wrecking Crew (oh btw, does Spike have to do with a plot? My thoughts exactly, my friends), leaving Mario having a hard time for his starting career with Luigi, but once the massive leakage from manhole occurred, Mario and Luigi going bellow to fix the issue, but not before they ended up getting sucked into a warp pipe, but they ended up separated, where Mario being transported in the main land of Mushroom Kingdom, while Luigi got into the Dark Lands. Mario meets Toad for introducing the land before meeting the ruler of main Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, where Mario is in emergency to bring back his brother, but Peach is aware of Bowser’s threat, its up for Mario, Peach and Toad on their journey for the back up to save the world from Bowser’s menace.

Its a pretty standard story, but like I said, its pretty original than being a generic damsel in distress story like many, many, MANY times in Mario games, though its more like Mario tries to be trained and be stronger to save Mushroom Kingdom for Princess Peach, which I appreciate to be different for the story. However, despite the best effort to be different, but also have a major downfall, because this is a one in a half hour long movie, we barely able to have a substance of development, the same could be said for pacing. That the problems of this movie, its a short film with quick pacing that we’re unable to investing both the story, the setting (for the most part) and character developments (again, for the most part), we want to know about the world itself, along with chemistry, unless if you actually know about the world of Mushroom Kingdom like myself (or any Mario fans out there) to acknowledging it, which is disappointing that it was promising that we really wish that we want a substance of developments, even if the writing isn’t as perfect.

And as for the humor, I find some that does made me laugh, but most that they gave to me is chuckle worthy, even if I wish if there’s a video game like Mario or Nintendo references, despite there’s also some humor that are poorly age as millennium that I found one.

While the movie is suffered from the lack of development based on short length and the pacing, but the writing is ok, but at least il give a credit for having a different story than a generic damsel in distress like most of many Mario games.

The Animation

With a budget of $100M and after previous movies with accurate designs and stuff, you think the same could be said for this movie? Well, obviously yes. And this is the second time I review an animated movie by Illumination.

For starter, the location goes to similar idea from 1993, but instead of alternative world with dinosaurs, this one has both Brooklyn and the world of Mushroom Kingdoom, which again, its lot better than the 1993 one. The Brooklyn set looks much like a typical city like most of them, but to be fair, it does have some references (we’ll get there for moment). But the Mushroom Kingdom on the other hand, boy they surprisingly did pretty good work how they presented, the main Mushroom Kingdoom, while a big gimmicky that it has mushrooms, but I give a credit for the Toad’s village that its actually cute and well presented Peach’s castle. Not to mention, we do see a couple other lands they’re either from the game or even created from scratch, like the field with fire flowers, which is soo… Impressive that I wish if its in the game that Mario and his partners get the flowers easily to beat Bowser. Of course, I also enjoy the Jungle Kingdoom, while im not familiar with Donkey Kong series, but the village itself it enjoyable from its tropical theme, an arena with platforms to including karts. And I also enjoy of Bowser’s castle that it acts like a flying platform for menacing threat at Mushroom Kingdom.

As for the designs, like I said, they have to be accurate from the game, which from I understand, they easily stick to more modern design of Mario series, like say, Super Mario 3D World, and they did a nice world to be, again, similar from the game, but with a film’s budget. The character design looks pretty good for their look, despite they could be a bit off their expressions, especially with the human designs like Mario, Luigi, their family and Peach, but again, film’s budget. But, the other creature designs like Boswer, Kamek, Goombas, Koopas and others are surprisingly looking pretty good, like they look perfect for their presentation from the game, same might be said for various others like power ups and such others.

Of course, the effects are also pretty nice from the quality to power ups.

As for the work of animation, its also pretty good for realistic moves, but also some reminiscent from the game based on the poses like the running to the iconic jump pose like Mario and Luigi do, though some creature’s animations are done with either real-ish moves to sorta cartoony moves, but hey, they also do a nice work. Especially for the action scenes that they’re pretty cool to watch from Peach’s demonstration for training Mario, Mario and Luigi doing parkour for plumbing emergency in a side-scrolling style (which I appreciate for its execution to feel like a side-scrolling platform game) and even the kart racing at Jungle King with Rainbow Road, since its easily meant to giving us an action platform adventure in Mario games, and I maybe agree that the action scenes are easily the highlight of this film.

I should also pointing out the music is mixed, it started good to have a composer Brian Tyler (Yes, THE Brian Tyler, who’s done many composers from movies, video games to even sports like F1), which il give a credit for his own cover of Mario’s music, but then there’s some that are obviously using hit music like Mr. Blue Sky, Take on me, and some others. I mean its fine for kids movie, but for video game movie with hit songs, im not sure that its a good idea for including them in he movie.

Lastly, as a video gamer that I know like Mario series (or even Nintendo in general), they’re some easy Easter Eggs (Happy Easter!) from backgrounds and some references that you can see or heard, which when I saw the movie, I was easily pointing at the screen to see some familiar names and such. Although I will give a credit for the similar theme song of “Super Mario Bros Super Show” and even “DK Rap”.

While the some have flaws, but at least the presentation and the animation looks not only good, but also accurate from the Mario games, well done there.

The Characters

We all know the familiar faces in Mario series, but you think we can enjoy their portrayal in this movie, well its probably 50/50, along with some questionable casting (Oh yeah, we’ll get there right away).

Lets easily start off of Chris Pratt’s role of Mario, yeah I know, go ahead make a meme all you want how he’s our Mario, along with your hashtag “NotMyMario”, but let me explain this. When I first heard throughout this movie, I find him fine, he’s struggling main brother for his plumbing business for impressing his family, the people in Brooklyn and his beloved brother Luigi, even if its not easy how to be “Super Mario”, I find the movie’s Mario is good, which at least it tries when it comes to writing. But of course, the biggest elephant in the room is the voice of Christ Pratt, I want to be very clear by saying that, I’ve nothing against Chris Pratt, he’s great and fun actor as either Peter Quill in MCU or even Emmet from The Lego Movie, but when it comes to his role of Mario, I find his voice just didn’t match up, its just Chris Pratt being Chris Pratt with a little imitation of Mario, I know he’s born as Italian-American, but again, its just Chris Pratt as himself that didn’t match the character, its like after Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, he voiced Detective Pikachu that he’s just being Deadpool as the iconic electric mouse in Pokemon. Again, nothing against Pratt, but his role just doesn’t match, so don’t blame him, just blame the people for casting him as our Italian-American plumber.

Now we got THAT out of the way, next up is Princes Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy), she’s easily the biggest surprisingly change in this movie, instead of being a typical damsel in distress like we’ve seen a lot, she’s a one helluva princess of Mushroom Kingdom for helping Toads, being aware of Bowser’s threat, being a mentor to our hero and a strong-willed. I like this movie’s Peach, I like she’s treated as while being sweet and mentoring, but she’s also badass in the movie, despite of one dimensional for being a mentor, but she’s still likable and Taylor-Joy did a great work of her role.

Next, we have Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day, aka Benny the spaceman from The Lego Movie), a nervous and timid brother that he wanted to be with Mario, but easily being a scaredy cat. I find him typical like we’ve seen in the games, but he’s pretty much the dude in distress, which im pretty sure it was referenced in “Super Mario 3D Land”. Despite being under-developed nervous bros, at least Charlie Day’s role of Luigi matched well, unlike what we have for Mario. I wonder if they will make a movie version of Luigi’s Mansion?

After that, we have Toad (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key), the main of the Toads and Peach’s sidekick in the journey for the first time for him. He’s easily meant to be a comedic sidekick role in the movie, I find him passable, which Key did a good work of his role of main Toad, but again, he’s an under-developed comedic sidekick that he likes to greeting and being protector to Peach.

Next up, its Donkey-Kong (voiced by Seth Rogen, aka Pumba, aka Mantis, aka Frank, aka any comedy movies he’s been), who’s a big and strong gorilla and the hero of Jungle Kingdom, I find him somewhat likable too for not just being show-off, but I find him perfectly fit for being a rival from Mario, even though I wish he could’ve give us a development how he’s everyone’s favorite in Jungle Kingdom. However, like Chris Pratt, Seth Rogen’s role is also got problem from the community, but for me personally, I have no problem, cause I think Rogen did a fun work of his role of DK, he easily made me chuckling, so I’d say his casting role of DK is probably a good pick.

And lastly, we have Bowser (voiced by Jack Black), the main antagonistic of Mario games, for his threat of destroy Mushroom Kingdom after capturing the Super Star. He’s also a memorable character in this movie, while he does a comedic side (what do you expect for Jack Black), but also being both terrifying but somewhat mean against anyone for how threatening he is for not only crushing Mushroom Kingdom, but also wanting to get Peach for, just like in the game, forcing her to marrying him. He’s both funny and one menacing King Koopa for his threat, and of course, Jack Black kicks ass for his villainous role.

As for the rest of the characters, there’s no much to say, but did have fine appearance, but some are waste of space.

There’s Cranky Kong (voiced by Fred Armisen) who’s DK’s father and the ruler of Jungle Kingdom with no non-sense attitude, Kamek (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) who’s Bowser’s Koopa sorcerer and advisor, Spike (voiced by Sebastian Maniscalco) who’s the boss of Wrecking Crew in his disgust of Mario Bros’ leaving, despite having no purpose for the plot), King Penguin (voiced by Khary Payton, aka Cyborg from Teen Titans) who’s the ruler of Ice Land, but being Bowser’s first victim in the opening and Lumalee (voiced by Juliet Jelanic), a blue Luma who always like its all good to die, jeez, this Luma needs help…!

Oh, you’re probably wondering about Charles Martinet that he’s actually in the movie, well, he’s out there, not gonna spoiling what he’s voicing as.

Its a shame that some characters are under-developed based on the combination of short movie length and pacing issues, at least they either got rather surprisingly different with pretty good executions, and the casting are good, but again, with the exception of Chris Pratt as Chris Pratt in Italian plumbing outfit.

And now for my final opinion of this film

Overall, The Super Mario Bros Movie is a good movie what I can say.

The presentation looks impressive and accurately, the story is standard with above average execution, the humors are chuckle worthy, some characters are great and some casting are good as well.

However, despite of its promising result, but when you made a film that its short with lack of development, questionable pacing, some mixed bag song choices (with the exception of Bowser’s singing for Peach, which is pretty good and funny to hear) and of course, Chris Pratt being unfitting as Mario. I know im kinda harsh for the latter, but again, I’ve nothing against him.

This is a difficulty thought for recommending this movie, even though there’s an excuse by saying “This is a Kids movie!”, but hate to say, I maybe agree that this definitely a movie gear towards kids if they wanna trying out Mario series. But its not just a movie for kids, but I think its also gearing towards both video game fans and Mario fans like myself included. If you’re morbidly curious for second take of Mario from the same company that gave us Minions or if you’re a fan of Mario or Nintendo, this one is for you.

For my rating, im giving it a 7/10. Its good, but I wish it would’ve been a best movie based on video, but il give a credit what they’re trying.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out