Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves

Story: A quick-witted thief (Chris Pine) must venture upon an epic journey to retrieve a lost relic along with a group of adventurers. The task is not as simple as it may seem as it is replete with deceit, twists, and turns.

Review: The film is the latest silver screen adaptation of the 50-year-old legendary role-playing D&D game. Some may not know about Dungeons & Dragons, unless they've played it or were introduced to it via Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’. If you belong to neither, you can still enjoy it as a fantasy fable with some good humour and engaging action sequences. Those familiar with its roots are bound to get it more but it’s an enjoyable experience even for the ones clueless about the source material.

It’s the post Oscar season and perhaps the best time to loosen up a bit and recharge your batteries with some light-hearted entertainment. Dungeons & Dragons has its heart and humour in the right place as it takes you on an epic journey. The unfolding of an action-adventure makes for an immersive watch as long as you don’t expect anything legendary from it. If you like heroes battling deadly foes, uncovering secrets, finding treasure, and more, this one offers escapist entertainment well.

The ensemble film follows a quest to retrieve a lost relic set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Fairy generic in its execution, it’s the cast that makes a difference. Chris Pine looks great alongside strong women (Gal Gadot and now Michelle Rodriguez), who bring in the brawn and he, the brain. Hugh Grant is outstanding as his natural wit and awkward energy translates to his screen roles and Michelle Rodriguez is the tough soft woman that she is in all her films. Put Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page in the mix, and you have a fun concoction of talent.

The team behind Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves claim they're not exploiting the game's heritage but want to pay respect to the game's ongoing legacy and they succeed at that. Those unaware, it’s a game where you role-play a scenario, usually full of unexpected twists and turns, planned and orchestrated by a Dungeon Master.

If you would like to flex your imagination a little bit, this one’s a decent family entertainer with a well-crafted blend of comedy and heart.