I cannot see anyone watching this movie and running out to play D&D for the first time
I can actually confirm that since the movie released, we've had a noticeable uptick in people coming into the newcomers channel of the discord server asking about getting started with D&D, either for the first time ever or fifth edition for the first time. It's very much having that effect.
That is great to hear. I hope many of them stay with the hobby.
I got to see it yesterday and I was impressed the backstory for Edgin was detailed it felt like a DM Crafted it as opposed to a screenwriter. Holga's Back story was somewhat of a disappointment. I would have liked a lot more background for Simon and Doric. I can say it was not a waste of my time or the money i spent on the ticket or the snacks to go see it. the only thing that darkened the experience for me was My friend had a panic attack right in the middle of the movie and left the theater to get outside.
The D&D movie I would have liked to see would have been completely different. I would have made a movie about a group of friends getting together to play D&D one last time to complete a long running campaign. Before they go off to college, or get married, (or whatever) and the group has to disband permanently.
Which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. But they weren't even trying to make it with a broad appeal. It was unapologetically by D&D players for D&D players. Not saying a broad appeal couldn't be done, but then everyone would just call it a Jumanji rip off.
I got to see it yesterday and I was impressed the backstory for Edgin was detailed it felt like a DM Crafted it as opposed to a screenwriter. Holga's Back story was somewhat of a disappointment. I would have liked a lot more background for Simon and Doric. I can say it was not a waste of my time or the money i spent on the ticket or the snacks to go see it. the only thing that darkened the experience for me was My friend had a panic attack right in the middle of the movie and left the theater to get outside.
Sorry to hear about your friend and I hope they are alright. As for the backstories, there are prequel novels that help fill some of that out. A Druid's Call is Doric's backstory as a short YA novel and details her early (horrible) childhood, coming to live with the elves, and then becoming a druid. It does stop a bit abruptly because it's setting up the whole logging storyline, but as a character arc, she has a complete and interesting one.
The other one, Road to Neverwinter, is from Edgin's 1st person perspective that starts pretty much with him meeting Holga as shown when he's struggling to take care of his daughter, and covers their exploits including meeting Forge, Simon, and Sofina. I'm only halfway through but it is really interesting and dives much more into his thinking on things as well as his uneasy alliance/friendship with Forge, and very close family relationship with Holga and Kira. At the point I'm to, we've only recently met Simon, and Sofina was just mentioned but not really in the story much yet.
But if you want more background on them, they are both really good books. Also, there is a graphic novel, too, Feast of the Moon, but I haven't seen that one at all to know what it covers.
The D&D movie I would have liked to see would have been completely different. I would have made a movie about a group of friends getting together to play D&D one last time to complete a long running campaign. Before they go off to college, or get married, (or whatever) and the group has to disband permanently.
Which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. But they weren't even trying to make it with a broad appeal. It was unapologetically by D&D players for D&D players. Not saying a broad appeal couldn't be done, but then everyone would just call it a Jumanji rip off.
Yes, like I'm not sure the Marvel movies would have been as successful if they were each framed as a kid opening up a comic book, and seeing the panels detailing the intro until we zoom into a panel and the movie storyline starts playing out, only to be interrupted by the kid having to close the comic to go eat dinner at the end of Infinity War to then continue on in Endgame. :P
(Or if Star Wars was bookended by George Lucas playing with action figures and a home movie camera! LOL!)
Making the movie be about a random group of actual D&D players would've been a horrible mess. I honestly think the movie was executed marvelously well. Was it a cinematic masterpiece that will be remembered for decades to come? No. But it does faithfully portray the kind of tom****ery a typical D&D party gets up to, shows a ragtag band of nitwits managing to Save the Realm through pluck, luck, and stubborn, and has enough nods to the tabletop game to satisfy players while not being incomprehensible to non-players. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and consider it a fine execution of D&D as a movie.
Side note, since this is a spoilers thread: I thoroughly appreciated the growth of Edgin in the wake of the final battle. He admits earlier in the movie (if to the wrong daughter) that he was chasing the Tablet of Reawakening not to resurrect his daughter's mother, but to resurrect his wife. That seemed like a distinction without meaning at the time, just semantic wordplay...but then Holga dies to a Red Wizard's blade and the choice becomes very, very real - Edgin could choose to save the Tablet and resurrect his wife...or he could use it to resurrect the woman who was in every way that counted Kira's mother.
Sure it wasn't particularly subtle, but not everything in a movie had to be, and frankly that scene was the epitome of D&D in a way. Does the bard complete his backstory quest, the fierce longing that spurred him to adventure in the first place? Or does he choose the allies he's made since, the woman his daughter needs rather than the woman he needs, and choose the future and his friends over his backstory? Is he a changed man, a better man, or still the bitter broken person he was back when this all started?
It was a perfectly satisfying moment and it made the end of the movie all the more enjoyable. Very well done from the team who made it.
Wonderfully said. I can just say that while the movie is not a masterpiece when compared to other movies in general, it is now my number 2 favorite movie of all time (number one being the LotR trilogy). In fact I will buy a physical copy which I haven't done in decades and rewatch it regularly possibly till I die, just as I do LotR. Someone here I believe said that LotR is the perfect movie if everything went the way the DM wanted, but HAT is basically what most DMs get, and to me that's BETTER, although of course LotR got a dozen Oscars for a good reason. I am absolutely overjoyed this movie got made and really hope it's a sign of good times ahead.
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DM for life by choice, biggest fan of D&D specifically.
I've always felt reaction to any piece of entertainment is based on 3 things ...(1) expectations (2)experience/perception (3)atmosphere. It met or went above all of those categories and in the end I loved this movie. EXPECTATIONS: I was expecting fun, humor and adventure, but maybe not a great story or narrative. Expected lots of deep references to D&D but not so much that it overwhelmed general viewers. Completely delivered in this area for me, and the story itself was a little better than I was expecting. EXPERIENCE/PERCEPTION: very very new to playing D&D so I have a general working knowledge of the source material. Definitely helped my enjoyment. ATMOSPHERE: the audience I saw it with was very good and generally into it. Lots of laughter and a handful of audible "cool"'s and "awesome" 's. Feeling I got was most in attendance were players already, but probably a half dozen or so that weren't familiar with D&D specifically.
Absolutely hit the sweet spot for me as someone who has a basic understanding of the world. Humor landed almost all the time. Good action. I do like some of the choices they made that broke game rules to suit the general moviegoing expereience; the obvious example being Doric transforming multiple times in a very short period of time. While the emotional story wasn't excellent in my opinion, it was good enough for a minor case of the feels.
The local independent theatre let the DM I'm playing under set up a booth for promoting his business and got several inquiries and has already gained a few new players.
As far as "standalone" or setting the film as a game being played by a group of people ... I think someone CAN make it work, but felt it was the right decision for this movie to keep it as a standalone
But the bar scene was a little too StarWars. It could have used a bit more of the barbarian being a step mother and a bit more of the 'uncle' showing his evil nature. 15 minutes more of movie could have made a huge difference.
I'm not sure how to break this to you, but Star Wars didn't invent the idea of a band playing in a bar
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
The D&D movie I would have liked to see would have been completely different. I would have made a movie about a group of friends getting together to play D&D one last time to complete a long running campaign. Before they go off to college, or get married, (or whatever) and the group has to disband permanently.
Which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. But they weren't even trying to make it with a broad appeal. It was unapologetically by D&D players for D&D players. Not saying a broad appeal couldn't be done, but then everyone would just call it a Jumanji rip off.
Yes, like I'm not sure the Marvel movies would have been as successful if they were each framed as a kid opening up a comic book, and seeing the panels detailing the intro until we zoom into a panel and the movie storyline starts playing out, only to be interrupted by the kid having to close the comic to go eat dinner at the end of Infinity War to then continue on in Endgame. :P
(Or if Star Wars was bookended by George Lucas playing with action figures and a home movie camera! LOL!)
I thought the movie was just fine. Wasn’t expecting epic, and didn’t get it, but it was far from trash. A fair, forgettable movie for a fun family night out.
I cannot see anyone watching this movie and running out to play D&D for the first time
I can actually confirm that since the movie released, we've had a noticeable uptick in people coming into the newcomers channel of the discord server asking about getting started with D&D, either for the first time ever or fifth edition for the first time. It's very much having that effect.
I guess that was the hope Hasbro would have had for the movie. I wonder how many are under the age of 30?
The D&D movie I would have liked to see would have been completely different. I would have made a movie about a group of friends getting together to play D&D one last time to complete a long running campaign. Before they go off to college, or get married, (or whatever) and the group has to disband permanently.
Which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. But they weren't even trying to make it with a broad appeal. It was unapologetically by D&D players for D&D players. Not saying a broad appeal couldn't be done, but then everyone would just call it a Jumanji rip off.
Yes, like I'm not sure the Marvel movies would have been as successful if they were each framed as a kid opening up a comic book, and seeing the panels detailing the intro until we zoom into a panel and the movie storyline starts playing out, only to be interrupted by the kid having to close the comic to go eat dinner at the end of Infinity War to then continue on in Endgame. :P
(Or if Star Wars was bookended by George Lucas playing with action figures and a home movie camera! LOL!)
That's not even remotely the same thing. Nice try though! Just keep watching the Star Wars Xmas Special!
I'm not sure how to break this to you, but Star Wars didn't invent the idea of a band playing in a bar
The unnecessary amount of races. Not the band. They looked thrown in just to throw them in.
And yet if they didn't people would be wondering why there was so few other races or not enough scenes or "too many humans, where's the diversity?!!?!"
No matter what somebody's complaining.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I'm not sure how to break this to you, but Star Wars didn't invent the idea of a band playing in a bar
The unnecessary amount of races. Not the band. They looked thrown in just to throw them in.
That's like saying there were an "unnecessary amount" of nationalities represented at Rick's in Casablanca
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
That is great to hear. I hope many of them stay with the hobby.
I got to see it yesterday and I was impressed the backstory for Edgin was detailed it felt like a DM Crafted it as opposed to a screenwriter. Holga's Back story was somewhat of a disappointment. I would have liked a lot more background for Simon and Doric. I can say it was not a waste of my time or the money i spent on the ticket or the snacks to go see it. the only thing that darkened the experience for me was My friend had a panic attack right in the middle of the movie and left the theater to get outside.
Isn't that pretty much the plot of "The Gamers?"
Which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. But they weren't even trying to make it with a broad appeal. It was unapologetically by D&D players for D&D players. Not saying a broad appeal couldn't be done, but then everyone would just call it a Jumanji rip off.
Sorry to hear about your friend and I hope they are alright. As for the backstories, there are prequel novels that help fill some of that out. A Druid's Call is Doric's backstory as a short YA novel and details her early (horrible) childhood, coming to live with the elves, and then becoming a druid. It does stop a bit abruptly because it's setting up the whole logging storyline, but as a character arc, she has a complete and interesting one.
The other one, Road to Neverwinter, is from Edgin's 1st person perspective that starts pretty much with him meeting Holga as shown when he's struggling to take care of his daughter, and covers their exploits including meeting Forge, Simon, and Sofina. I'm only halfway through but it is really interesting and dives much more into his thinking on things as well as his uneasy alliance/friendship with Forge, and very close family relationship with Holga and Kira. At the point I'm to, we've only recently met Simon, and Sofina was just mentioned but not really in the story much yet.
But if you want more background on them, they are both really good books. Also, there is a graphic novel, too, Feast of the Moon, but I haven't seen that one at all to know what it covers.
Yes, like I'm not sure the Marvel movies would have been as successful if they were each framed as a kid opening up a comic book, and seeing the panels detailing the intro until we zoom into a panel and the movie storyline starts playing out, only to be interrupted by the kid having to close the comic to go eat dinner at the end of Infinity War to then continue on in Endgame. :P
(Or if Star Wars was bookended by George Lucas playing with action figures and a home movie camera! LOL!)
Wonderfully said. I can just say that while the movie is not a masterpiece when compared to other movies in general, it is now my number 2 favorite movie of all time (number one being the LotR trilogy). In fact I will buy a physical copy which I haven't done in decades and rewatch it regularly possibly till I die, just as I do LotR. Someone here I believe said that LotR is the perfect movie if everything went the way the DM wanted, but HAT is basically what most DMs get, and to me that's BETTER, although of course LotR got a dozen Oscars for a good reason. I am absolutely overjoyed this movie got made and really hope it's a sign of good times ahead.
DM for life by choice, biggest fan of D&D specifically.
I've always felt reaction to any piece of entertainment is based on 3 things ...(1) expectations (2)experience/perception (3)atmosphere. It met or went above all of those categories and in the end I loved this movie. EXPECTATIONS: I was expecting fun, humor and adventure, but maybe not a great story or narrative. Expected lots of deep references to D&D but not so much that it overwhelmed general viewers. Completely delivered in this area for me, and the story itself was a little better than I was expecting. EXPERIENCE/PERCEPTION: very very new to playing D&D so I have a general working knowledge of the source material. Definitely helped my enjoyment. ATMOSPHERE: the audience I saw it with was very good and generally into it. Lots of laughter and a handful of audible "cool"'s and "awesome" 's. Feeling I got was most in attendance were players already, but probably a half dozen or so that weren't familiar with D&D specifically.
Absolutely hit the sweet spot for me as someone who has a basic understanding of the world. Humor landed almost all the time. Good action. I do like some of the choices they made that broke game rules to suit the general moviegoing expereience; the obvious example being Doric transforming multiple times in a very short period of time. While the emotional story wasn't excellent in my opinion, it was good enough for a minor case of the feels.
The local independent theatre let the DM I'm playing under set up a booth for promoting his business and got several inquiries and has already gained a few new players.
As far as "standalone" or setting the film as a game being played by a group of people ... I think someone CAN make it work, but felt it was the right decision for this movie to keep it as a standalone
As I said before.
It was the best D&D yet.
It was better than I expected.
But the bar scene was a little too StarWars.
It could have used a bit more of the barbarian being a step mother and a bit more of the 'uncle' showing his evil nature. 15 minutes more of movie could have made a huge difference.
Over all it was pretty good.
I'm not sure how to break this to you, but Star Wars didn't invent the idea of a band playing in a bar
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
So The Princess Bride?
I thought the movie was just fine. Wasn’t expecting epic, and didn’t get it, but it was far from trash. A fair, forgettable movie for a fun family night out.
i liked that they remembered the dead guy who never got asked a fifth question
I guess that was the hope Hasbro would have had for the movie. I wonder how many are under the age of 30?
That's not even remotely the same thing. Nice try though! Just keep watching the Star Wars Xmas Special!
The unnecessary amount of races. Not the band. They looked thrown in just to throw them in.
And yet if they didn't people would be wondering why there was so few other races or not enough scenes or "too many humans, where's the diversity?!!?!"
No matter what somebody's complaining.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
can we just agree that it was a good movie and stop arguing? Otherwise:
Shhh… calm emotions… shhh…
#peacecleric
Looking forward to reading the books. I honestly didn't know they existed.
I have to agree that overall it was a good movie. It's impossible to try and look at it as how a non-player would see it.
Really want to see it again to analyze some of the scenes. Many of them had so much going on it was hard to keep up.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
That's like saying there were an "unnecessary amount" of nationalities represented at Rick's in Casablanca
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
And I might need to go see it again ;) but if I recall, most of the crowd scenes, other than Thay, had a wide variety of races.