Dungeons and Dragons Review
by Michael Sanford
When I first saw the previews for this movie, I was really excited. It looked like the perfect movie for Hollywood to gain new ground in the field of special effects. From the previews, it looked like they had. I am here to tell you that the special effects were great. With that said, a preview for an upcoming movie called Final Fantasy, trumps any other CGI movie I have seen. I just hope that it lives up to the previews. On with the rest of the review.
This movie was basically a story of those who want change vs those who don't. Pretty typical, even for today. It also had some unique overtones on feudalism.
You will recognized one of the main characters as the former Jimmy Olson in the New Adventures of Superman. The actor is Justin Whalin who plays Ridley. Ridley and his companion Snails, played by Marlon Wayans, are two thieves that get caught up in a battle so they can save the galaxy from evil (cliche, I know). Jeremy Irons delivers a wonderful performance as the evil mage.
I used play Dungeons & Dragons in the early 80s though college. I recognized some familiar characters. A dwarf traveled with the two thiphenomenalas great. From his red hair to his temper the writers actually got a dwarf right.
The plot was pretty basic, but had a unique twist in the middle of the movie. Although I though that the plot was basic, it couldn't help being basic. The game was pretty basic. Only once did I find the plot a little slow.
Like a lot of movies these days, the special effects make the movie. The main city in this movie is just phenominal. It is dark, but has lots of spires and resembles a castle, only an a MUCH grander scale.
The pinnacle of the movie was the war. Mages and the empress fight with dragons. Kind of cool. The fluid of motion of the dragon is quite good. You get to see them fly up, down, back and forth. On a couple of shots, you get the perspective of a rider of a dragon - that is really cool.
One last note, should you go to this movie, check out the King of the Elves. He might be somebody you recognize!
I do recommend this movie - even at full price.
I rate this movie the following way:
| Acting: | 4 beakers |
| Plot: | 3 beakers |
| Movie sets: | 3.5 beakers |
| True to game: | 4 beakers |
| Special effects: | 4.5 beakers |
Final beaker count: 4 (3.8 rounded up to nearest 1/2 beaker)
Michael Lee also wrote a Dungeons and Dragons Review
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