This movie is an action packed, detailed fantasy film that covers a story about a pair of thieves who learn about a mystical gizmo that can bring back people who have died. The lead character, Edgin Darvis [played by Pine] - a musician and thief - who is also a "planner" that has great foresight in planning capers on the run, enlists the aide of a few thieves to assist him steal the gizmo to bring his wife back from the dead, and with the additional help of his close partner Holga Kilgore [played by Rodriguez], to break into a castle that is controlled by Forge Fitzwilliam [played by Grant] and protected by a mystic sorcerer [played by Daisey Head]. There are monsters, dragons, gargoyles, wizards; everything you expect to see in a film based on the D&D medium that has been around for many years.
THE GOOD - The special effect CGI is mind boggling, refreshing and very well designed to bring both a dark and humorous presentation to an overplayed genre of monster designs that help the movie move along in a positive direction; i.e. keep a look out for the plumply dragon that slides about a cavern on it's belly. The action scenes are choreographed well and not over payed. Also, being a fantasy movie, there are several solid comedic performances by the cast as they come across several challenges they must overcome at each new issue that arises at each turn. The movie flows seamlessly from one scene to another, with some interesting editing that keeps the viewers attention in tune to each new scene.
THE BAD - I'm not a big Chris Pine fan or follower, and he does has several moments of grandstanding and over playing his part in the film. Where usually I add that too much CGI can be too much to absorb, remember that this is a fantsy based film and you have to suspend belief to follow it along. If you put your mindset in that arena, the film is brilliant. If you can't, you'll agree that this film is full of cheese.
POST MORTEM - This is a good, fun film. Even though a lot of the CGI used in the film lacks the cutting edge delivery to make a ground breaking breakthrough in film production, the two directors did a diligent job in presenting a fantasy film moving in the right direction. This is a fun film to watch and laugh with at every turn.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [4 of 5 Stars]
