Where to watch Dungeons & Dragons
3 Stars
The Empire of Izmer has long been a divided land. The Mages – an elite group of magic-users – rule whilst the lowly commoners are powerless. Izmer’s young Empress, Savina, wants equality and prosperity for all, but the evil Mage Profion is plotting to depose her and establish his own rule. The Empress possesses a scepter which controls Izmer’s Golden Dragons. To challenge her rule, Profion must have the scepter, and tricks the Council of Mages into believing Savina is unfit to hold it. Knowing that Profion will bring death and destruction to Izmer, Savina must find the legendary Rod of Savrille, a mythical rod that has the power to control Red Dragons, a species even mightier than the Gold. Enter two thieves, Ridley and Snails, who unwittingly become instrumental in Savina’s search for the Rod. Joined by a feisty Dwarf named Elwood, and helped by the Empress’s expert tracker, the Elf Norda, the young heroes go in search of the Rod of Savrille. From the deadly maze of the Thieves Guild at Antius to an Elven Village, secret grotto and abandoned castles, Ridley and his band must outwit Profion’s chief henchman Damodar at every turn while, back in Izmer, Profion prepares to do battle with the Empress. All depends on the Rod, but the outcome of the race to reach it first is far from certain, and Izmar’s very survival hangs in the balance.
Dungeons & Dragons is a lighthearted fantasy much better than critical scores from December 2000 would lead you to believe. I had a best friend who adored this movie; he tragically died from the effects of alcoholism, and since he had been on my mind lately, I decided to give this flick a watch, if only in memory of my late buddy. This friend of mine was a consumer of this “type” of cinema; I would classify the Wing Commander film adaptation and John Carpenter’s “Ghosts of Mars” in the same category. After watching Dungeons & Dragons, I’m astonished that it took 23 years to give this IP the budget it deserved back in 2000.
Justin Whalin, an actor who is a cross between Brendan Fraser and Dean Cain, is appealing as the hero of this tale co-star Marlon Wayans is less appealing as his obnoxious comedic sidekick. Dungeons & Dragons is a silly fantasy film, but it’s no more outlandish than George Lucas’ ‘The Phantom Menace’ minus the special effects, which waver between marvelous and chintzy. Jeremy Irons and Bruce Payne do their best to save face during their brief scenes in the film and elevate the material when they appear.
Directed by: Courtney Solomon
Written by: Topper Lilien, Carroll Cartwright, E. Gary Gygax
Starring: Justin Whalin, Jeremy Irons, Zoe McLellan