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From Street Fighter to Warcraft, Hollywood has always struggled to make a coherent video game movie adaptation. But there are a few gems out there that tickle the interest of every gamer. The latest addition in this line is John Francis Daly and Jonathan Goldstein’s Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves released on 31 March, 2023.
Is the cinematic world of D&D as good as the gaming realm?
Enter the world of Dungeons and Dragons with the latest movie installment, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Now, Hope Madden and George Wolf may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to the ins and outs of the game, but luckily, writer Cat McAlpine is a D&D expert. However, she couldn’t attend the screening because she was playing D&D herself! So, Madden and Wolf took on the challenge of reviewing the movie and, surprisingly, they enjoyed it.
The co-directors, John Francis Daly and Jonathan Goldstein, who brought us Game Night, team up with Michael Gilio to create a comedic adventure film that follows a quest narrative with a game-like aesthetic.
They infuse humor into the narrative, adding to the charm and charisma of the cast, which includes Chris Pine as Edgin, a lute-playing and wise-cracking character, and Michelle Rodriguez as the badass Holga. They team up with young sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith) and the shape-shifting druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) to embark on a quest to retrieve a powerful relic that could reunite Edgin with his daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman). Along the way, they encounter fantastical creatures and unexpected plot turns that keep the action pumping.
Although the adventure runs a bit long and feels overstuffed, the film embraces the right tone and delivers likable characters, infectious humor, and escapist fun. Even Regé-Jean Page from Bridgerton shows up to lampoon his own image as the dashing Xenk, adding to the contagious, wink-wink swashbuckling feel of the movie.
Best gaming movies to watch this weekend
Tetris (2013)
In Tetris, we discover the origins of the game and how it was created by Russian worker bee Alexey Pajitnov. Henk Rogers (played by Taron Egerton) is a video game sales rep who becomes obsessed with obtaining the marketing rights for the “perfect game” that is Tetris. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of blackmail, Cold War intrigue, corporate backstabbing, and even KGB harassment. The story takes us on a ride through history, complete with a nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic and animated lead performance by Egerton.
Director Jon S. Baird indulges in the throwback Thursday vibe, with plenty of game player graphics, pixelated frames, and ’80s jams. But beyond the breezy attitude, writer Noah Pink includes some resonant nods to how even seemingly harmless technology can quickly be weaponized.
Despite the finale becoming a bit tidy, idealistic, and familiar, the fictionalized history of Tetris is worth revisiting. With these two movies, the genre of video game adaptations can bask in a rare double score, pleasing crowds at the multiplex and at home.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Based on the popular fighting game, “Mortal Kombat” had all the essential ingredients for a great video game movie: over-the-top action, campy humor, and a thumping techno soundtrack. It follows a group of martial artists who are summoned to a mysterious island to compete in a tournament that will determine the fate of the world. Despite its cheesy dialogue and special effects, “Mortal Kombat” remains a cult classic among gamers and movie fans alike.
Detective Pikachu (2019)
In “Detective Pikachu,” Ryan Reynolds voices the titular Pokémon as he teams up with a young man named Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) to solve the mystery of Tim’s missing father. The film combines live-action and CGI animation to bring the world of Pokémon to life, and the result is a fun, family-friendly adventure that’s sure to delight fans of the franchise.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
After a backlash to the original design of Sonic, the beloved video game character was given a redesign that won over fans and helped propel “Sonic the Hedgehog” to box office success. The movie follows Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) as he teams up with a small-town sheriff (James Marsden) to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing him and using his powers for nefarious purposes.
Resident Evil (2002)
The “Resident Evil” film franchise has spawned six movies since its inception in 2002, with Milla Jovovich starring as Alice, a character created specifically for the movies. While the films deviate from the plot of the games, they offer plenty of action, suspense, and zombie gore to keep fans entertained. The first movie, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, is arguably the best of the bunch.
Silent Hill (2006)
Based on the survival horror game of the same name, “Silent Hill” follows a mother (Radha Mitchell) who travels to the titular town to find her missing daughter. Once there, she discovers a dark and twisted alternate reality that’s filled with monsters and otherworldly terrors. The movie’s haunting visuals and eerie atmosphere make it one of the best video game adaptations out there.
Tomb Raider (2018)
In this reboot of the “Tomb Raider” franchise, Alicia Vikander takes on the role of Lara Croft, the iconic adventurer first brought to life by Angelina Jolie. The movie follows Lara as she sets out to find her missing father on a remote island off the coast of Japan. While the film received mixed reviews, Vikander’s performance and the film’s action sequences make it worth a watch for fans of the games.
The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
Based on the popular mobile game, “The Angry Birds Movie” takes the simple concept of birds launching themselves at pigs and expands it into a colorful and entertaining animated film. The movie explores the backstory of the birds and the pigs, and features an all-star cast that includes Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage.
Rampage (2018)
“Rampage” is loosely based on the arcade game of the same name, and stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a primatologist who must team up with a mutated gorilla, a giant wolf, and a crocodile to save the world from destruction. The movie is pure popcorn entertainment, with plenty of action and humor to keep audiences engaged.
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