Plot: What’s it about?
As a child of the 1980’s I can say that it’s a lot different than things are today. The most sophisticated video games back then weren’t really…well, good. There was a rise in popularity of role-playing games where you had to, get ready for this…use your mind! We didn’t have the form fitting game controllers with headphones chatting with people around the world. No, some of these games had you create a character on paper, keep up with the stats as you battled dragons, orcs and trolls. This was called, as I’m sure you know, Dungeons & Dragons. The game was extremely popular and until now all we had, movie-wise, was the awful 2000 adaptation with Jeremy Irons. The less said about that, the better. Flash forward to the 21st century and the studios have decided to try it again, though taking a more offbeat approach. If films like Pirates of the Caribbean or Guardians of the Galaxy are your thing, you’ll feel right at home.
Edgin (Chris Pine) has a mission. His wife was murdered by a group of wizards and in an attempt to steal an artifact that would bring her back to life, he and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) are captured and thrown in prison. The other member of their group, Forge (Hugh Grant), has taken it upon himself to care for Edgin’s daughter – Kira (Chloe Coleman). Edgin, now out of prison, wants to reunite with Kira and get back to his life. But Forge has become the Lord of a kingdom called Neverwinter and he’s lied to Kira telling her that Edgin abandoned her. Edgin and Holga team up with Simon (Justice Smith), Doric (Sophia Lillis) and Xenk (Rege-Jean Page) to rescue her. The caveat is they need a magic helmet that will help them break through the security system in Forge’s vault. As we might expect, it’s a bit more difficult that imagined.
Taking the comedic approach might seem like a copout, but trust me – it works. If you want to watch a much darker version of what this could be, check out Game of Thrones instead (well, the first seven seasons as the eighth should be expunged). But if you want to be entertained, this is the way to go. Think of Edgin and his entourage as Robin Hood and his merry men (and women). Or don’t. It really won’t impact the way you view the movie. Nearly as charming as Chris Pine is Hugh Grant’s character – Forge. Grant has mastered the dry, deadpan role and is perfectly cast here. While it might not create a resurgence of the popular role-playing game, they took the right approach and have managed to craft a film that’s faithful to the fans, but entertaining to the masses.
Video: How’s it look?
It’s hard to classify how “accurate” the image is as, well, everything in the film is fictional. Yes, we all know what but on the whole it looks amazing with the entire spectrum being so adequately represented that it’s nearly beyond words. Black levels are rock solid, contrast is amazing (though it varies, but this isn’t a fault of the transfer). Details and textures look so amazingly lifelike that felt I could reach through the screen and touch what was on the other side. The 2.39:1 AVC HD encode brings the world of Dungeons and Dragons to life and though I could go on, but if you’re looking for, literally, a perfect-looking transfer you need look no further.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Swords clanging, dragons doing…whatever it is that dragons do and everything in between. Yep, you’ll find all of that here and in a lovely Dolby Atmos mix that really brings it home. Unlike some other studios, Paramount’s Blu-ray titles are often packed with an Atmos track (as opposed to having to buy the 4K disc to get the superior soundtrack). Everything we’d want and hope to be represented here is. Surrounds fill the room with an ambiance, front channels are extremely useful and the LFE get a workout as well. What a treat.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- From Dice to Dragons: Honoring the Lore— Go behind-the-scenes with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and the cast and crew to witness the thrilling journey of bringing the classic board game to life in the ultimate D&D experience.
- Rogues’ Gallery: The Heroes of Dungeons & Dragons— Get an in-depth look at the heroes of the film as the cast delves into their characters and reveals the secrets behind bringing them to life on screen.
- Fantastic Foes— Explore the dark side of D&D with a look at the film’s complex and fascinating villains.
- The Bestiary— Check out the cutting-edge visual effects, prosthetics, and intricate costumes that went into the creation of the movie’s magical beings and fantastical beasts.
- Forging the Forgotten Realms— Discover the secrets behind the exciting sets and breathtaking locations in far away lands!
- Broadswords, Battle-axes & Badass Brawls— Dive into epic fight sequences with a behind-the-scenes look at the mind-blowing stunts and powerful weaponry that went into this heart-pumping action adventure.
- Gag Reel— Don’t miss the hilarious gag reel with bloopers and outtakes.
- Deleted and Extended Scenes— Uncover even more of the action with deleted & extended scenes not seen in theaters!
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to have played the role-playing game to have a good time. It was a wise decision to take this the tongue-in-cheek route. It works and it’s fun. The Blu-ray produces a perfect picture with a very robust Dolby Atmos mix to boot. The extras are plentiful, but not that insightful. Nevertheless, it’s a fun time for all.
