Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Review)

I finally got a chance to go and see the Dungeons and Dragons film with my partner; it has been on our list since it came out and even though we knew nothing about the movie going in - other than it was a DnD film - we were excited.

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It Feels Like a Video Game
Well, one moment felt like a game, not that there is anything wrong with that, I mean, it should feel like a game. But, at the start of the movie, we're introduced to the characters in prison and then there is a flashback sequence where we hear about their backstories, which is a lot of fun, especially since the main character breaks the fourth wall a couple of times throughout, interrupting his own story. After a few minutes this segment ends, and as it does the camera zooms out revealing a title screen and a world map.

Do You Need To Know DnD To Like This Film?
I'd say, no. I know a bit about DnD, but any of the games I've played have been mainly homebrew, I did join a campaign for a couple of sessions which was by the book, but I didn't stick with it long enough, and I was handed one of the players old character sheets, so I wasn't really invested into it. But, I do know a bit and some things showed up in the film. Baulders Gate is mentioned and I know that game but didn't know it was a location in the Dungeons and Dragons world. Come to mention it, the main city is called Neverwinter, and I remember playing a game called Neverwinter Nights on the pc yeaaaars ago.

The film is a fun ride, made more entertaining by interesting characters who had plenty of charisma and chemistry, in fact, I think it felt like some campaigns I played with friends, where there is just the right amount of banter, without completely ruining the game. At the start I... rolled - get it? - my eyes at the quips and silliness; as I've grown to hate it in modern cinema because it feels like every movie is trying to be a Marvel film. Buuuut, in this, that feeling of annoyance was fleeting when I sat back and just enjoyed the ride, safe in the knowledge that behind the banter masque there is some warmth and heart behind it.

Problems
I think there was a technical issue with the camera, and I think the cinematographer may have ruined the movie.

At the start of the film, I noticed that my eyes couldn't really focus on the screen, but then they were able to when the camera was static. I ignored it and carried on, and put it down to me not wearing my glasses. But, then as the film continued I noticed it more and more, especially on some of the wide shots where the camera was panning. I asked my partner and she noticed it too, and since her eyesight is good I was surprised to hear that it was a problem in the movie itself.

To me, it seems like such a waste to spend so much on SFX and CGI, if you're only going to ruin it with blurring camera work. I thought it was something to do with the framerate and shutter speed, to replicate the natural motion blur that our eyes see, the shutter speed should be about double your framerate. But, my partner suggested that maybe it's an artificial motion blur, like in video games. I have no idea, but it was annoying and broke my immersion in the film. Did you watch the film? Did you notice any issues? Was it our cinema, my eyes, or actually in the film?

Story Issues
Okay, I just want to say, I did enjoy the film, liked the characters and the story itself. I liked how the film cut out nearly all of the fluff and got on with the story, instead of mindlessly wasting time, and for a 2-hour film, it really feels like we cover a lot of ground.

One thing that I didn't like though, was how convenient everything was, I get that we need the story to happen, and for a good story we need conflict, and for the story to continue issues need to be solved. But, did it all have to be so easy?

"Okay guys, we need to cross this bridge."

Whoops, the bridge is down. "Oh, wait. What's that?"

"My boyfriends walking stick." "That's not a walking stick! That's a portal staff, and it can get us over the bridge!"

They could have resolved this by maybe knowing about the staff and swiping it since it 'could' come in handy later. The movie has a lot of those moments, where things just work and it kind of feels like the characters are rolling nat 20s constantly.

One other thing I didn't like... Well, I liked it, but it feels like all the characters end up getting exactly what they wanted or needed. Confidence, strength, the ability to let go, to be honest with themselves, and trust. You name it, each character had an issue, and by the end, every issue is resolved. At the expense of being cynical, I think they shouldn't have gotten exactly what each of them wanted, or at least it shouldn't have been so easy.

This Is Weird, But A Nitpick.
I want answers, America. If anyone is from America, please let me know if this is a thing.

One of the characters at one point said something sarcastically, then another person thought they were being serious, to that, the first character said "I'm being ironic."

Why didn't they say they were being sarcastic? I was a bit confused but was told that Americans say ironic instead of sarcastic. Is that true or what? If so, why?

I've looked it up and I have to say, I'm confused. Irony is apparently when you say something you don't mean. Since when?

Final Thoughts
The characters are good, and make it feel like a fun game, there are high stakes, and we aren't forced to waste any time as the pace is quick, allowing us to spend more time having fun, instead of getting bogged down. Well worth a watch.

Few little issues, but if you sit back and enjoy the ride, you won't be disappointed.