# The New Dungeons and Dragons Movie Might Actually be Good? {NO SPOILERS until May 2023} **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [July 21, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344 "2022-07-21T21:04:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/141 "2023-03-14T20:41:42Z")
The Mwangi Expanse hardcover for Pathfinder 2E has amazing art, but the halflings in it kind of creep me out. [![](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/130/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-5.jpg?1673996074) ](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/130/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-5.jpg?1673996074) [![](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/328/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-8.jpg?1673995747) ](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/328/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-8.jpg?1673995747) They don’t look like halflings to me, they look like video game characters after you unlock “Big Head” mode. The artist is Indah Alitha, and I really dig her stuff in general, but her halflings are on the upper slopes of the uncanny valley for me. Except for this guy. This guy is fucking boss. [![](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/266/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-6.jpg?1673996019) ](https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/040/311/266/large/indah-alditha-putri-siregar-6.jpg?1673996019) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2023, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/142 "2023-03-15T06:55:55Z")
I think my point - and why I brought up the Big Four in the first place - is that their art is vibrant, colorful, nether too idealized nor too realistic, and fun… which are all things I want from the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/143 "2023-03-15T17:43:00Z")
Absolutely. D&D (and arguably especially 5e) is inherently kind of silly. Much like classic MCU, this film needs to lean into and acknowledge that rather than trying to build it into something serious and grim. Fortunately, they’re obviously taking the humor route. Edit: Looks at cake icon… Geez, I’ve been here _24 years??_ ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/144 "2023-03-16T19:48:14Z")
Elmore is awesome. Not only as an artist, but a cool person. I met him in real life and told him how much of a fan I was. and he was very flattered and humble about it, and shook my hand. I pledged to two Kickstarters for art books of his and have a collection now, it also included an original signed drawing (a line art dragon drawing). Larry is a good guy. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/145 "2023-03-16T20:46:32Z")
I met Elmore back at GenCon in 1991. I grabbed two packets of his artwork prints and the line to talk to him was much shorter than the payment line so I stood in that one instead. Then I was all starstruck to meet him and left without paying. I had to come back after I realized and be “Uh, I forgot to pay for these…” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/146 "2023-03-17T11:05:46Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Ok, fine. But then they need to include that hideous 5e halfling from the PHB. Are we sure that’s a halfling and not a gnome? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/147 "2023-03-17T11:45:19Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Are we sure that’s a halfling and not a gnome? That’s literally the illustration for the book’s entry on halflings. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/148 "2023-03-17T11:50:17Z")
Very sneaky, those gnomes. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/149 "2023-03-20T00:26:22Z")
It’s interesting to see the career progression of John Francis Daley. He started of as a child actor in _Freaks and Geeks._ Was an adult actor including many episodes of _Bones._ Now he’s writing and directing major motion pictures. He wrote and directed this movie and wrote _Spider-Man: Homecoming._ ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/150 "2023-03-21T13:43:06Z")
Sweets has done well for himself. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/151 "2023-03-29T21:02:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Tony DiTerlizzi was the best illustrator D&D was ever lucky enough to have. Sounds like D&D is getting lucky again: > ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/152 "2023-03-30T04:41:38Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Sweets has done well for himself. > ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/153 "2023-03-30T05:47:09Z")
Hah! That’s awesome. Love that the archetype Clueless is right there. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/154 "2023-03-31T20:47:07Z")
Saw it at a matinee today. It was… good. Nothing great. Definitely was what it wanted to be. A light action comedy that felt like maybe the modern versions of Jumanji or Night at the Museum? Story was meh. Some creative action sequences. Some nice set pieces. Things funny enough to crack a smile at but not laugh out loud. Would say it’s worth seeing. Nothing you would want to watch a second time. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/155 "2023-03-31T21:52:59Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Would say it’s worth seeing. Nothing you would want to watch a second time. In other words, a perfect wait-for-cable film. That beats any of its predecessors at least. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/156 "2023-03-31T21:56:22Z")
What’s cable? Is that a new streaming service? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/157 "2023-03-31T21:59:49Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > What’s cable? Digital TV that old people watch. Like a slightly newer newspaper - you’ve probably never seen those. Basically they’re like old fashioned papyrus scrolls you see in museums, only updated versions in which words are etched by machine onto the husks of ground-up trees. Old people pore over them while eating a meal as part of a daily ritual. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/158 "2023-03-31T22:11:55Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > In other words, a perfect wait-for-cable film. Yes. Nothing you need to rush out and see. But if you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house and want to see a movie you won’t feel like you’ve wasted your $10. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/159 "2023-04-01T23:27:17Z")
Saw it today with my family, and despite the generally positive reviews I went in with fairly low expectations. And… I thought it was great! I’m not a D&D guy so take my opinion for what it’s worth, but I thought they did a great job keeping the source material relevant and juggling a lot of competing interests – fan service, plot, action, humor, heart. It reminded me of the first Avengers, to the point where it feels like the studio explicitly asked for a Marvel knock off. Not ground breaking but an entertaining couple of hours for sure. And at the beginning, the entire cast told me I was a hero for seeing a movie, so there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344/160 "2023-04-01T23:38:34Z")
I had fun watching it. But I have no idea why they had that bit at the beginning with the main cast thanking us for seeing it in the theaters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-might-actually-be-good-no-spoilers-until-may-2023/968344.md?page=9)