Dungeons & Dragons (US)
This is no game
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 107 mins
Retail Price: $24.98
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
In a world where the forces of evil have magical powers and peasants are powerless, only a rag-tag group of young adventurers can save the day.
Profion (Academy Award®-winner Jeremy Irons, Reversal Of Fortune) is the diabolical mage who plots to take over the kingdom of Izmer. The Empress Savina (Thora Birch, American Beauty) fights to return peaceful times to her subjects. Now, the hopes of Izmer rest with Snails (Marlon Wayans, Scary Movie), Ridley (Justin Whalin, TV`s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman) and the fighters brave enough to help them battle the dark forces of Profion. Dazzling special effects and spellbinding performances conjure up a supernatural film that brings the adventure home to you.
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Two Audio Commentaries Featuring Director Courtney Solomon, Cinematographer Doug Milsome, Game Co-Creator Dave Arneson and Actor Justin Whalin
Two Original Documentaries: "Let The Games Begin" - A Profile and History of Adventure Gaming, A behind The Scenes Look At The Making of the Movie
Deleted Scenes
Special Effects Deconstruction
DVD-ROM Features:
Game Demo of Baldur`s Gate II: Shadows Of Amn
Original Theatrical Website
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
Subtitle Tracks:
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Courtney Solomon
Written By:
E. Gary Gygax
Carroll Cartwright
Topper Lilien
Starring:
Thora Birch
Zoe McLellan
Marlon Wayans
Justin Whalin
Jeremy Irons
Casting By:
Jeremy Zimmerman
Elisa Goodman
Abra Edelman
Petr Brodsky
Soundtrack By:
Justin Caine Burnett
Director of Photography:
Douglas Milsome
Editor:
Caroline Ross
Costume Designer:
Barbara Lane
Production Designer:
Bryce Perrin
Producer:
Allan Zeman
Justin Whalin
Sean T. Stratton
Matthew Stillman
Courtney Solomon
Conrad Riggs
Steve Richards
John Raczka
David Minkowski
Mark Leahy
Kia Jam
Thomas M. Hammel
Ann Flagella
Bob Dahlin
Allen Crawford
Executive Producer:
Joel Silver
Nelson Leong
Nancy Koester
Distributor:
New Line Productions
Your Opinions and Comments
I`ve never been a fan of D&D when I was a teenager. Even when the D&D games reached the PC platform, I wasn`t that keen. Still, I had some expectations from this movie.
The video transfer is awesome. There are no compression signs at all and the colors are beautifully rendered. The visual effects are totally mind blowing for anyone who`s a CG fan (myself included). The cut-scenes are beautifully rendered and are (almost) seamlessly integrated in the real environment.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds are constantly used for sword fight noises, screaming creatures and some other nice sound effects.
The menus are all beautifully animated with sound.
The extras include 2 commentaries, 2 behind the scenes featurettes, almost a dozen deleted scenes, a section dedicated to the special effects and a DVD-ROM game demo. All in all, the extras are really nice.
Bottom line - if you don`t mind the rather boring plot and can appreciate CG visuals, go for it. Otherwise, seek your dragons elsewhere.
However, the plot is abysmal. Being a D&D fan when I was younger this movie added nothing. The plot was entirely predictable, the characters one dimensioned. Dialogue may as well have been written in seconds.
This film arrived only a year or two before as Lord of the Rings, and the only comparison is the theme and effects. Lord of the Rings was brave enough not to be afraid to like the genre, D&D seems scared to go in to any depth in case it`s seen as "geeky".
I could have written a better script in around an hour.
Obviously the film is geared at children, which is a shame since both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (similar genre) have proved that you can appeal to both adults and children. I imagine if you have children this will pass the time for them, but don`t expect it to make them think, and I wouldn`t recommend you sit with them and watch it.
The visuals are pretty outstanding. It is a fantasy film and the scenery and CGI lives up to expectations, even surpassing them. The picture is crisp and clear.
The 5.1 sound also is great and all of the speakers are used to a good extent. The extras are plentiful and interesting.
Overall a great fun film. If you want to rattle your brains and stuff go see Mullholland Drive or Memento or something. This is a fun film that can be enjoyed if you dont be over critical of every minor detail.