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Dungeons and Dragons

Rating

Director

Courtney Solomon

Screenplay

Topper Lilien, Carroll Cartwright

Length

1h 47m

Starring

Jeremy Irons, Bruce Payne, Justin Whalin, Marlon Wayans, Robert Miano, Tomas Havrlik, Thora Birch, Edward Jewesbury, Zoe McLellan, Lee Arenberg, Kristen Wilson

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Review

When “Dungeons & Dragons” was released as an alternative to miniature war-gaming in the mid-70s, it received both positive and negative reviews and has since become almost an institution. It has not only been the source of speculations on its demonic overtones; it has been the source of sit-com jokes for years.

With the recent release of the best-selling third edition, parent company Wizards of the Coast has decided to reward its faithful consumers with a feature film representing and capitalizing on the immensely popular action-adventure game.

Evil wizard Profion (Jeremy Irons) wants to control the kingdom of Izmer, but must take control from Empress Savina (Thora Birch). In order to do so, he must take away her powerful scepter that controls good gold dragons. To do so, he stirs up political anarchy and has his faithful henchman Damodar (Bruce Payne) follow a group of adventurers in search of a mythical rod that controls the evil red dragons.

Izmer is a society where the magic-wielding wizards are the ruling class while everyone else is situated in the commoners’ caste. Two ambitious thieves, Ridley (Justin Whalin) and Snails (Marlon Wayans), break into the wizard school to procure some expensive equipment only to be caught in the act by a snotty magic student named Marina (Zoe McLellan). They begin the quest to find the mystical rod and with the help of Elven ranger Norda (Kristen Wilson) and Dwarven fighter Elwood (Lee Arenberg), this group of unlikely heroes set forth on a quest of mythical proportions.

First-time director Courtney Solomon shows us just how little he knows about filmmaking. His direction forces traditionally wonderful actors, Jeremy Irons and Thora Birch, into haphazard performances suitable only for dinner theater. Additionally, he manages to take a hackneyed plot and make it even less believable in the face of imaginative source material.

The expense of the film is obvious for the most part, but Irons no doubt cost them extra funds by chewing up every bit of scenery he could find. Birch, on the other hand, didn’t even create a stereotype. Her sedate queen can’t even muster enough force to convince the audience of her beliefs in equality for all people of Izmer, let alone convince a council of mages.

Not a single character escapes a nasty stereotype and the screenwriters refuse to give any of them backstories to help the actors develop personalities. Even Marlon Wayans, who proved he could turn out an incredible performance in “Requiem for a Dream” was reduced to a blundering idiot, reminiscent of the Stepin Fetchit archetype.

Not to be upstaged, the visual effects are inconsistent throughout and the dragon fight scenes are so sloppy and choppy that one can barely see what wondrous effects they have come up with. It’s obvious that not even the film’s aristocratic wizards could spice the film up enough, providing the film’s only glimpse at interesting and eloquent effects with their mystical spellcraft.

The only things this film benefits from are the beautiful sets and fitting costumes. The designers obvious did their research into fantasy and medieval fiction to find some of the most credible and ingenious designs. Unfortunately, some of their sets are misused, causing the audience to miss most of the grandeur in quick, unapologetic cuts.

For fantasy to become a living reality there must be a majestic overtone which is significantly lacking in “Dungeons & Dragons.” We never get to see sweeping crane shots or enticing dollies and pans, instead we’re subjected to stodgy camera poses and quick, nauseating camera movements.

For fans of “Dungeons & Dragons,” there are bound to be supporters, mainly those who are enticed by violent and unnecessary visual effects. Most audiences will not only find many of the in-jokes confusing, but will be ultimately disappointed. A serious fantasy adventure film, this is not. The audience leaving the theater is the only escapism to be found.

Awards Prospects

Not much in the way of critical support, unless the Academy ignores the plot and honors the Art Direction or Costume Design, though those are long shots.

Review Written

December 11, 2000