Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A repetitive, lackluster film saved by great special effects and fine acting.

With a running time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, be prepared for some tedious moments. It is basically a long story of revenge that is saved by an emotional ending that will bring a tear to your tired eyes.

Chris Pine plays Edgin The Bard, a thief, whose wife is killed by a group called the Red Wizards. Joined by “friend” Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), he tries to retrieve an item that will bring his wife back to life. Leaving his young daughter in the care of his ally Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), he and Holga are captured and sent to prison.

After escaping several years later, the rest of the film deals with Edgin’s attempt to find his daughter. In the process, battles ensue with Dragons and the undead among others.

The film has some fun moments as it focuses on Edgin’s team. In summary, it is composed of a confused wizard named Simon (Justice Smith), a druid name Doric (Sophia Lillis) and Xenk (Regé-Jean Page), a smart paladin who knows how to kick ass and take names. Their interaction is the highlight of the movie.

You can tolerate the smug performances of Pine and Grant by focusing on the appealing role of Daisy Head as the nasty wizard Sofina. Officially known as the leader of the Red Wizards of Thay, at least her victims are comforted that they are dying at the hands of a beautiful villainess.

This is a film falling short of expectations at the box office because it simply lacked any emotion until the moving climax. Who does Edgin bring back from the dead, his wife or Holga?

It is a pity that the film didn’t produce similar human reactions earlier in the movie.