reviewThe role play dungeons & dragons, where players bring a world dominated by wizards and trolls to life in their heads, has been wrongly declared dead a dozen times. It was launched in the 1970s, has been hip again for several years and is now the starting point of a large audience film. It sounds like a purely commercial affair, but the film sometimes comes close to the fun of the original Pirates of the Caribbean from 2003.
In the film, the world that fans of the game only conjure up in their minds, literally comes into view. But there is no shortage of crazy fantasy during the quest of the smooth thief Edgin (Chris Pine), his sturdy companion Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), the mediocre magician Simon and the druid Doric (Sophia Lillis), who changes in many animal shapes. There’s a lot at stake, but the main thing is to get hold of an amulet that can bring someone back to life and free Edgin’s daughter from an old traveling companion. It’s the kind of plot that only works with a bunch of winks.
That former traveling companion and betrayed con man, Forge, is played by Hugh Grant, who has been appearing more often in tongue-in-cheek villain roles in recent years (including the masterpiece Padington 2) in which he seems to make fun of his own image as a dorky Brit. A perfect choice for Dungeons & dragons: honor among thieves, who fortunately knows very well what it should be: cozy nonsense.
The fun also comes from Chris Pine (known from star trek and Wonderwoman) who plays the main character as a kind of Han Solo (from star wars) who accidentally ended up in an alternate universe. Even more fun Bridgertonstar Regé-Jean Page as a vain who takes his heroic role far too seriously, causing annoyance to his fellow adventurers. Let him soon be the new James Bond.
The original game is associated with nerd culture. The film transcends that niche with ease. It’s been a long time since a very expensive Hollywood product bursting with special effects exuded so much fun.
Directed by: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and Hugh Grant
Watch all our videos about the latest films and series here:
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.