Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) review

From the board game (created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson) to the big screen ... once again: imprisoned bard Edgin (Chris Pine) and his barbarian friend Holda (Michelle Rodriguez) manage to escape (they're facing charges of "grand larceny and skullduggery") and partner up with druid Doric (Sophia Lillis), sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith) and paladin Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) to hunt down conman and thief Forge (Hugh Grant) and resurrect Edgin's wife, who was murdered by a Red Wizard.  Directors Daley and Goldstein add a nice jokey touch to it to maintain a light mood, but it's still a fantasy-themed version of The A-Team with Pine in the George Peppard role and a medley of gadgets to keep the story moving forward, including a magical helmet and an object called the hither-thither staff that can create portals (which brings to mind the popular puzzle-platform series developed by Valve).  Gaming-obsessed Gen Z might have a fine time with it, but older fans of the RPG might be better off breaking out the character sheets and polyhedral dice.