“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” adapted from the popular role-playing game, turned out to be far better than I thought it would be and quite different from what I expected. This fantasy adventure is full of humor and charm, and it’s easy for anyone who enjoys stories about wizards, knights, dragons, and other fantastical beings to enjoy. Charismatic thief Edgin (Chris Pine) and his group of unlikely companions—including Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), a barbarian—set out on an ambitious quest to recover a lost artifact and free his daughter (Chloe Coleman) from Forge’s (Hugh Grant) stronghold. Their plans go wrong when they encounter dangerous enemies, but the team must cooperate to overcome numerous challenges as they continue their mission. Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein remained faithful to the game's origins, but you don’t need any prior knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons to understand it. The film explains everything necessary, making this an action adventure suitable for a wide audience. It’s remarkable how accessible this movie is; you don’t have to know all the rules to appreciate it. I’m sure there are hidden details for those familiar with the game, but they aren't so obscure that newcomers will be lost. This is really one of the film’s strongest points. The story—written by Goldstein, Daley, and Michael Gilio—is well-constructed, featuring developed characters and humor that prevents it from becoming just another generic movie based on a game. There’s a lot of heart and genuine feeling throughout, which is enhanced by a wonderful cast. The actors have good chemistry together, bringing a human quality to what thankfully isn't simply a collection of computer-generated imagery. You can sense the real bond between Edgin and Holga, who are devoted friends always supporting each other, and Rodriguez and Pine’s connection feels just right. Grant, who seems to be having a career comeback, is as entertaining as ever in his role as Forge Fitzwilliam, as are Justice Smith as the novice sorcerer Simon and Sophia Lillis as the shape-shifting tiefling druid Doric. It's quite surprising that Pine isn’t repeating his usual performance style here, which is an accomplishment in itself. The movie moves along at a good pace, and the special effects are well executed, even though the ending feels a little prolonged. I was easily drawn into the mythical world of D&D because not only does it look great visually, but the characters are also appealing—there’s plenty to care about. Even if you don't usually like fantasy films, I recommend giving “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” a chance. This playful adventure with memorable characters offers lots of magical entertainment.

Source on TMDB