Dungeons, dragons and generations of fans: the cult role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has been irrigating pop culture since the 1980s. Just look at the influence this universe has had on the Stranger Things series. In any case, this cult license has long been keen to establish itself in the cinema. Between 2000 and 2012, a trilogy was released, but fans were disappointed. Their expectations have finally been fulfilled with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor of Thieves, which was a great critical success. The film will be broadcast on television this Friday, October 13, at 9:10pm on Canal+.
This new adaptation, produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley(Game Night), boasts a truly impressive cast. It features Chris Pine(Star Trek, Wonder Woman), Michelle Rodriguez (the Fast and Furious saga, Avatar, Alita Battle Angel), Justice Smith(Detective Pikachu, Jurassic World, All Our Perfect Days) and Hugh Grant(Love at First Sight in Notting Hill, Love Actually, The Gentlemen), in an all-new role as the villain. It's already one of the most eagerly awaited blockbusters of 2023. And before you read our review, check out our interview with the actors, Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis.
Dungeons & Dragons: 3 questions to Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis
To coincide with the release of "Dungeons & Dragons - Honor of Thieves" on Wednesday April 12, we caught up with two of the film's stars, Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis. Find out more in our interview. [Read more]
Our verdict
Dungeons & Dragons may not revolutionize the family blockbuster genre, but it's the best film of its kind at the moment, somewhat by default. Here's how it works: the film doesn't take itself too seriously, and although it's rarely surprising, it's fun, funny, generous, its characters are endearing and the story is well told. In short, it does the job, as they say, unlike the latest Marvel films, to name but one. Dungeons & Dragons tries the same recipe, mixing humor and epic, and comes off much better than the latest Ant-Man, released a few weeks ago.
Whether with its story, its characters or its special effects, the film lives up to its ambitions. The action scenes are impressive, and it's easy to see how much the actors enjoy playing their roles. This gives the whole thing a Lord of the Rings parody feel. The film certainly won't be a landmark, but it's far from detestable.
Fans of role-playing games will find everything they love here: a team formed in a tavern, an impressive bestiary, magic, combat and side quests that allow you to visit all sorts of settings. And of course, an outstanding villain. And the tasty Hugh Grant fulfills his mission wonderfully, playing a superb role.
In short, Dungeons & Dragons may not be a masterpiece, but if you're looking for a good special-effects action movie to see at the cinema this Easter, you won't find much better than this particularly entertaining film.
A handsome thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic heist to recover a lost relic. Things go wrong when they incur the wrath of the wrong people.
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