PHENOMENALITY: *marvelous*
MYTHICITY: *fair*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *adventure*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *metaphysical, psychological*
The most positive thing I can say about this new iteration of the famous D&D franchise is that it's a much better mindless adventure than either the wretched 2000 theatrical release or either of the DTV sequels.
As the subtitle suggests, despite the titular thieves' overt intention to steal for their own benefit, they end up Doing the Honorable Thing and saving the denizens of their fantasy-world from catastrophe. Said thieves are Edgin (master planner for the gang and a former member of a knight-like clique called "bards"), Holga (warrior woman), Simon (noob sorcerer), and Doric (shapechanging elf)-- respectively portrayed by Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis.
I'm not going to dwell on the specific plot-devices that bring the four together, except that it all hinges on the A-plot of Edgin's attempts to be reunited with his estranged daughter Kira, who's been adopted by former thief Forge (Hugh Grant). Forge, not content with keeping Edgin away with Kira, is also party to an insidious conspiracy with a malefic guild of sorcerers. Edgin, in addition to wanting his daughter back, is also focused on obtaining from Forge a "tablet of resurrection," with which he hopes to bring his slain wife back to life.
By now, any time a viewer sees a character get a chance to "do over" reality for his own benefit, said viewer should expect that "you can't always get what you want" to be the theme song of the day. The other three characters all have very minor arcs, none of which are memorable. But one can generally ignore the pedestrian characterizations of the heroes, because the filmmakers manage to harry them from pillar to post as they go around questing in this or that dungeon and fighting this or that dragon. Forge's sorcerer-allies are the true villains of the movie, and though there are some slow moments here and there, HONOR delivers a slam-bang finish, with the noble thieves fighting gladiatorial menaces and various CGI monsters.
I'd probably spend more time recounting plot-points if the writers had spent any time building their fantasy-world, but I understand why they would not, given that the very name of the franchise doesn't suggest Tolkienesque complexity. (For instance, why are Edgin's order of "bards" associated with musical instruments? Is there some reason that they combine aspects of knights and troubadours?) My biggest complaint is that even though Holga's fight-scenes are very good, Holga herself is made up to look rather grotty. Since the actress herself has shown her ability to clean up well, I half suspect that her grungy appearance was some misguided attempt to avert PC condemnation for, god forbid, sexualizing a lady barbarian in a fantasy-film.
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