Dungeons & Dragons (2000)
Average Rating: 3.1/10
Reviews Counted: 91
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 82
Critics say this movie has a cheap look and is badly directed. Despite the presence of talented actors, the performances are really bad, and additionally, some people are offended at Marlon Wayans' character, calling it a racist throwback to black stereotypes.
Average Rating: 3.3/10
Critic Reviews: 28
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 25
Critics say this movie has a cheap look and is badly directed. Despite the presence of talented actors, the performances are really bad, and additionally, some people are offended at Marlon Wayans' character, calling it a racist throwback to black stereotypes.
liked it
Average Rating: 2.2/5
User Ratings: 47,254
My Rating
Movie Info
The imaginary world of the world's most popular fantasy role-playing game comes to life in this special-effects laden adventure. In the Empire of Izmer, magic is the key to power in both the supernatural and political realms. The Mages are a sect who know the secrets of magic and use it to hold sway over the masses. The youthful Empress Savina (Thora Birch) wants to use her powers to bring justice and prosperity to all, but Profion (Jeremy Irons) is an evil Mage who wants to use his knowledge of
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Cast
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Justin Whalin
Ridley Freeborn -
Marlon Wayans
Snails -
Zoe McLellan
Marina Pretensa -
Thora Birch
Empress Savina -
Bruce Payne
Damodar -
Jeremy Irons
Profion -
Kristen Wilson
Norda -
Richard O'Brien
Xilus -
Tom Baker
Halvarth -
Lee Arenberg
Elwood Gutworthy -
Edward Jewesbury
Vildan Vildir -
Robert Miano
Azmath -
-
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Dungeons & Dragons Trailer & Photos
All Critics (107) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (83) | DVD (22)
The average episode of Xena or Hercules offers a more compelling and imaginative photoplay.
Top CriticThe special effects ... are nothing special, which is as close as this painfully derivative clunker is ever going to get to a ringing endorsement.
The movie has the cheap software look of something found on the Space channel at 4 a.m.
I doubt anyone will be cosplaying as Snails anytime, soon.
...a straightforward quest saga but done at a hyperkinetic speed with herky-jerky pacing. (Blu-ray Edition)
The movie reminded me of a trailer for a fantasy adventure, a highlights reel flashing by in pretty colors.
We still like it better than Attack of the Clones . . .
Most of the special effects have that vapory digital look that has become very ho-hum by now.
Audience Reviews for Dungeons & Dragons
Let's start with Jeremy Irons portrayal of Profion, an evil sorcerer trying to overthrow the kingdom's government. This might be some of the worst acting you've ever seen. In the last scene, you can barely understand what he's saying! And then there's the infamous "Hatatatatata!!" moment. The supporting villain is pretty bad too. His talk speed makes Eor from Winnie the Pooh look like Chris Tucker. Doesn't help that he has blue lips. There are also a few scenes that might have been seen as Indiana Jones ripoffs.
Now let's go on to the good. Besides Jeremy Irons and Bruce Payne, the acting was actually pretty good. Marlon Wayans and Justin Whalin did a pretty good job in particular. By the time Snail is killed, we (Well, I at least) really feel for his death. Zoe McLellan did a pretty good job too, and I'm NOT just saying that because she's hot.
The plot is pretty good too, even if it is a star wars ripoff. It shows a few historical traits to make it smarter than it's 10% rating might convey.
It also has a fair amount of heart. It's no Gone with the Wind, but compared to most fantasy films, it was pretty emotional. Lot's of scenes with great emotion.
I also think that it has a great message. Though it may be lost under Irons overacting, the film has a great message about how many different people can come together to achieve a common goal.
Bottom line, this was a good movie. Not spectacular, and I can understand the negative reviews, but good. I won't reccomend it, however, to anyone other than my friends.
Super Reviewer
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- Snails: I thought you said this was gonna be easy!
- Ridley Freeborn: No, I said it wasn't impossible
- Snails: That's the same thing you said when we robbed that little halfling's house. And who'd he catch? Me. And who'd he beat from the waist down? Me.
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- Snails: I got a new name for 'dumb': 'Ridley'! This is the Ridleyest thing I've ever heard!
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- Damodar: Just like you thieves, always taking things that don't belong to you.
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Foreign Titles
- Dungeons and Dragons (UK)
I guess at the time the effects were a little more impressive than today's standards of course plus there weren't the huge amount of fantasy films that there are these days so this was quite a special little event. Looking back now it really is a terrible film, the acting from everyone is just abysmal and full O' cheese. Irons goes beyond taking the piss really with his rather queer hissing, cackling and facial expressions whilst his second in command played by Bruce Payne is just the campest guy I've seen for ages...oh and he has blue lipstick on too.
The film revolves around the cliched to max partnership of Wayans (doing his best Eddie Murphy impression) and Whalin trying to be heroic and cool. The pair are just awful together and completely unamusing in every sense, there is of course a lot of attempted humour throughout but it all falls flat on its face hard.
There really is nothing to recommend here other than to laugh at, the effects are the worse CGI you will have seen for a major release (even though its an old film yes I know), tonnes of obvious bluescreen and even the costumes, makeup jobs and props all look cheap and tacky.
I still can't understand why Irons would agree to this, ditto Richard O' Brien ('The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and quite the cult name here in the UK). I suppose its because his scenes were a homage to the classic 'Crystal Maze' he once hosted, almost a homage to him really, the guy is legend but this brings him down.
The film was indeed mauled upon release but at the time (twas much younger back then) I gave it some leeway, it kinda reminded me of the 'Mortal Kombat' film and how, even though it was weak, it still had a glimmer of quality. But now I simply cannot allow that leeway anymore, the film may be enjoyed by younger kids but basically its crap.