Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Forges a New Path for the Previously Perilous Film Franchise

"We didn't mean to unleash the greatest evil the world has ever known. But we're going to fix it." - Edgin Darvis

Among the many ways we can think of to replenish our souls, a good book and contemplative film often do wonders for me. As comedic and fantastical as the vintage nerd generation deserves, Paramount Pictures' Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves successfully stole the hearts of the oft-critical audience it intended to.

A charming and less-than-helpful bard named Edgin, played by Wonder Woman's dreamy Chris Pine, seeks to reunite with his estranged daughter but requires the help of Holga, a potato-loving warrior who will be darned if she's going to miss a meal. Low in intelligence, but high in motivation, these two long-time friends connect with others to form what could easily be labelled as a low-level party on a new and epic quest to save Kira, Edgin's daughter, who he hasn't seen in years.

Their plans go awry as the plot thickens to reveal a traitorous backstory and the desperate need for a magical item that the wizard of the party, Simon, may or may not be able to even wield. One of many character shortcomings are exposed through exposition as the party journeys on, and are even magnified when new party members like Doric and Xenk Yendar come along.

Between the scenery, battle scenes, and music - some of which Chris Pine himself humorously provides - these warriors gain experience, come across obstacles (and literally walk over them), but all come to the same realization so many of us come to at some point: I've made a real mess of things.

Each character experiences true personal growth as the story unfolds, and despite the evil and powerful foe who serves as the central antagonist of the film, the party learns the power of community and the hard truth that one's survival sometimes does take a village.

If this doesn't sell you on seeing the film, watch it for the graveyard scene or the first-ever obese dragon caught on film. The movie rolls a 20 and.... it's a hit. Can't afford a ticket? "Pay for it with magic".

-Jennifer