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Name: Dungeons & Dragons
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 107 minutes

Director: Courtney Solomon

Synopsis
In the magic empire of Izmer, the Mages – an elite group of magic users – rule whilst the lowly commoners are powerless. The young empress, Savina (Thora Birch), wants equality and prosperity for all, but evil Mage Profion (Jeremy Irons) is plotting to depose her, and establish his own rule. The only problem is the idealistic empress’ scepter which controls Izmer’s Golden Dragons. To challenge her rule, Profion must find and possess the Rod of Savrille, a mythical rod that has the power to control Red Dragons.

One evening two lowly thieves who seek equality, Ridley Freeborn (Justin Whalin) and Snails (Marlon Wayans), break into the Magic Library in search of treasure. What they find is the instrumental piece in the search for the Rod. Joined by a feisty Dwarf named Elwood (Lee Arenberg), an eager apprentice wizard named Marina Pretensa (Zoe McLellan), and helped by the empress’s expert tracker Norda (Kristen Wilson), the young heroes go in search of the Rod of Savrille.

Review
This movie is an official fantasy-adventure based at the D&D-RPG-system.

If you love fantasy movies which include mages, dwarfs, elves and dragons: watch it because it’s really nice and Jeremy Irons is wonderful as ever! If you’re a fan of the original pen-and-paper and/or computer-role-play-game: don’t watch this movie. It’s far from its inspiration and not nearly as involved. The film only contains a few uniquely Dungeons & Dragons elements and those are neither integral to the plot nor faithful translations from the game.

To sum it up: it’s not so much a Dungeons & Dragons movie as a generic sword and sorcery story with a famous brand name tacked on.

Also, Dungeons & Dragons 2: Wrath of the Dragon God – was only published on DVD, if you enjoyed this film and are interested in seeing another.

Rating: 5/10 stars