Courtney Solomon’s disastrous attempt at bringing Dungeons & Dragons to the big screen is now a distant memory, thanks to the passing of many years and the release of Honour Among Thieves. Despite the lackluster sequels that followed, the original film still stands as a laughable representation of a game with immense cultural significance. However, with the arrival of Honour Among Thieves, which promises to be a thrilling and entertaining blockbuster, Solomon’s failure can finally be forgotten.

It’s worth noting that the rise of “geek culture” in 2023 has made Dungeons & Dragons and other similar interests much more mainstream and accepted than they were in the early 2000s. Shows like Stranger Things, which heavily references the game, have gained immense popularity, as have the Na’vi from Avatar and the Marvel franchise. It’s a new world, turned upside down from what it once was.

However, Honour Among Thieves is definitely a treat for nerds. The film’s tone, visuals, and narrative are all top-notch, and the game-like structure crafted by Game Night writers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley is impressive. The plot involves making battle plans that often go awry, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Goldstein and Daley even have the cast use silly voices to add to the fun.

One standout performance comes from Chris Pine, who plays the charming yet mischievous Edgin Darvis with a perfect blend of roguish arrogance and Prince Charming-like charm. He’s matched well by Michelle Rodriguez, who plays the stoic barbarian Holga Kilgore. The film opens with a hilarious parody of Game of Thrones, but quickly takes a different direction as the two characters find themselves imprisoned for “grand larceny and skulduggery” in a high-security prison located far from civilization.

Edgin yearns to reunite with his daughter, Kira (played by Chloe Coleman), and acquire the mystical resurrection tablet that would enable him to revive his deceased wife. However, Edgin and Hulga were imprisoned after attempting to steal the tablet, along with a substantial amount of gold.

Unfortunately, both Kira and the tablet have fallen into the hands of the devious Forge Fitzwilliam, also known as the Lord of Neverwinter, portrayed by Hugh Grant in a performance reminiscent of Phoenix Buchanan. Grant’s portrayal of Forge is entertaining and enjoyable. On the other hand, Daisy Head’s Sofina, a treacherous Red Wizard of Thay with piercing dark eyes, is genuinely menacing. The specifics of Sofina’s wicked plan are irrelevant when confronted with her powerful and intimidating presence on screen. Head’s performance will be challenging to surpass in the sequel.

Edgin and Hulga cannot face their formidable enemy alone and must gather a strong team for their exciting adventure. The addition of Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis as a Tiefling Druid and semi-competent sorcerer respectively adds magnetism, but it is Regé-Jean Page from Bridgerton who steals the show with his blissful sincerity as the paladin knight, Xenk Yendar. Goldstein and Daley’s approach to narrative prioritizes character dynamics over exposition and world-building, making it more akin to The Princess Bride than Lord of the Rings. The film balances seriousness with silliness, offsetting any potential for a po-faced tone with clever sleight of hand and A-list cameos.

The film’s cinematography sets it apart from other blockbusters, utilizing computer imagery effectively while also showcasing superb physical effects and creature animatronics that verge on the delirious and surreal. The world created is a pleasure to spend time in, even if it is not particularly unique or memorable. The writing is genuinely hilarious, and the denouement is well-earned. In short, Dungeons & Dragons’ second wind is a rip-roaring riot of a good time.