I
can remember as a teenager, I had a group of friends who loved to play D&D.
I tried it a couple of times and it gave me a big headache. I sort of had the
same reaction to this film.
Dungeons
and Dragons is a fantasy about a couple of thieves (Justin Whalin and Marlon Wayans)
who find themselves in an incredible adventure that involves magic, swordplay
and romance.
Dungeons
and Dragons was made for just over forty million dollars (which is pretty cheap
for an effects picture) and it looks a lot more expensive. The sets are gorgeous
and some of the special effects are quite impressive. This doesn't amount to much,
however, when your dealing with such a juvenile screenplay. With shades of Star
Wars, Jurassic Park, Dragonslayer, The Neverending Story, Excalibur, The Mummy,
Conan, and countless other fantasy and sci-fi pictures, Dungeons and Dragons never
seems to rise to the challenge, because it just doesn't have a shred of originality.
Maybe I'm being a little hard on the picture, but it just wasn't entertaining
to me.
Whailin
is far from a convincing hero while Wayans was more annoying than ever, giving
even Jar Jar Binks a run for his money. Jeremy Irons (who clocks in at a mere
fifteen minutes) is hilariously over the top. Even American Beauty daughter Thora
Birch as a righteous queen, can't manage to breathe life into this silly and shallow
adventure.
Director
Courtney Solomon is a wizard with special effects. The dragon battle finale has
hints of excitement, but not enough to make you feel like you got your money's
worth. Someone should have told this guy that special effects are a tool. Just
like camera equipment or a prop. All the impressive effects, gorgeous art direction
and great costumes are nothing without an engaging story. Unfortunately, Dungeons
and Dragons is a sub par adventure that you're likely to forget.
