The folks at Paramount have recently released the latest in a long line of Dungeons and Dragons movies, with Honor Among Thieves This new romp looked promising in the trailers, but we weren’t sure if this new outing would make up for some disastrous previous offerings. Luckily, it’s one which we really enjoyed. As seasoned D&D lovers, it managed to tread the fine line between tabletop fantasy and an enjoyable action(ish) big-screen adventure. We’ve put together a spoiler-free Dungeons and Dragons review for you, just here. For the sake of accuracy, please do know that missing the U from the word “honour” within this article has nearly killed me.
The Basics – What is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves About?
If you don’t know about the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop roleplaying game yet, you’ve missed a lot over the past fifty(ish) years. Hopefully, the list of things you’ve missed also includes the previous three Dungeons and Dragons films. Often shortened to D&D, this paper-based gaming system has brought joy to countless thousands of elves, dwarfs, dragonborn, goliaths and yes, indeed, even some humans.
Non-nerds may be happy to hear that while Honor Among Thieves is based in D&D’s Forgotten Realms, you won’t need an understanding of the universe or game before watching it. This feature brings some great fan service for long-term D&D aficionados, while remaining accessible to complete newcomers.
And yes, that does mean there are some elements which aren’t strictly “in the rules” of the D&D player’s handbook. A druid using Wild Shape wouldn’t be able to turn into an Owlbear (as it’s a “monstrosity”, don’t you know) and some similar small niggles are here. However, if you’re the kind of person who gets angry at this, firstly chill out, and secondly remember that the DM decides which rules you are following.
Honor Among Thieves is a completely original story, full of love, betrayal, camaraderie, magic and derring-do. It’s certainly worked well from a long-term TTRPG fan point of view, with some great subtle nods as well as overt statements which hardcore fans will recognise.
Is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Safe for Children?
Rating: 3 / 5: Some Concern.
This one is rated by the BBFC as a 12A and as a PG-13 by the US Motion Picture Association. I’m not 100% on this one myself, as the title does have a few jump scares, and one or two disturbing scenes based around evil magic. Parent’s should also consider bad language and some lewd humour throughout the title. While there are a good number of sword (and Owlbear) fights, there’s relatively little blood. We’d say the most gory part of the film (as seen in trailers) involves a conversation with a decomposed body, which is mostly played for laughs.
While UK-based children aged 12 and above can legally see this on their own, and even younger when accompanied, we’d certainly urge parents to stick to 12 and above. We’re basing this one on a couple of scenes where we’d be concerned about some nightmares for younger children.
The Run Down – Our Five-Point Rating for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Plot – 5: Honor Among Thieves manages to take D&D’s tabletop roleplay and craft an adventure fit for the big screen. The feature brings just enough silly moments, jokes, missteps and action to be reminiscent of an actual game night. We’ve failed to spot any major plot holes, and (importantly) they haven’t sacrificed an interesting plot for fan service. Rather, the in-universe nods only strengthen the story, without having to get bogged down in enough lore to bore your standard audience.
Visuals – 4: As well as the now-expected CGI, Honor Among Thieves makes great use of practical effects. Including sets, settings, puppeteering and some of D&D’s more out-there species (such as the bird-like humanoid aarakocras, and the dragonborn race as well). There were a couple of occasions where CGI magic effects could certainly have done with a little more work, but overall effects and visuals in the feature are looking pretty good.
Audio – 5:The soundtrack for Honor Among Thieves is outstanding, and it’s well worth sitting through the initial credits scene for Tame Impala’s Wings of Time. The feature leans on a great classical score, but effects are also well created. Dragons, owlbear and displacer beasts all feel very in-world, despite having been voiced differently by countless DMs over the last near half a century.
Performance – 4: Performances from the main cast were everything we expected. Chris Pine brings a little of his James T. Kirk cheekiness to the role of Ed, while bringing enough to truly make the character his own. While Michelle Rodriguez’ Holga is essentially as you’d expect from Michelle Rodriguez it absolutely works in this context. Justice Smith’s sorcerer, Simon (HA! Get it?! I laughed, anyway.) is pitched well and it must be said that his British accent is executed perfectly. I was a little disappointed to see Hugh Grant shrink back towards his role of “loveable fop” after seeing him in The Gentlemen, but I suppose it’s better the devil you know.
Rewind – 5: If we had the time (and fewer children) we’d be right back out to watch Honor Among Thieves again tonight. The feature blends a little silliness with just enough action and in-game lore to make it a fun and rewatchable jaunt. D&D fans won’t have got every reference on the first watch either, so it’s worth going back and seeing what little nuggets you can spot within a second watch. Even after spotting everything, this is one which is easy to dip into again, for a good story, well executed alongside just the right amount of fan service.
The Verdict – Is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Worth It?
Pixel Bandits D20 Level for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is an outstanding 9/10 (or maybe a 19/20).
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As a long-term fan of tabletop RPGs this is the first D&D movie which has managed to tread that fine line between the lore and an entertaining adaptation. There are enough names, places, species and magics to please fans, without alienating wider audiences. Newcomers won’t need to have a D&D primer before they visit theatres, and there’s little risk of getting lost and confused with characters or settings.
I’m rather pleased that the narrative here looks to bring an original adventure. Even better, it’s not linked to any of the three ill-fated prior film releases. Chris Pine describes the flick as “Game of Thrones mixed with a little Princess Bride and just a smidge of Holy Grail”, and we’d just about agree with the broad strokes of that.
Whether you love D&D already, or whether you’ve never heard of it before this is definitely one to go and see. Swords and sorcery are joined by some very on-brand humour.
And if you have watched it already and haven’t taken part in a tabletop adventure yet, what are you waiting for? We heartily recommend tabletop RPGs as a top form of entertainment. Wherever you are in the UK, the folks at the Roleplay Haven can help you find a group to adventure with. You should expect pretty much what you see in the movie, but maybe with a little more silliness.