Review by Dennis D. McDonald

Saw it streaming last night. I have no familiarity with the game so I approached it fresh. I loved its silliness and backhanded parody of fantasy tropes even non-gamers like me take for granted nowadays.

Loved the pace and constant energy and the film's ability to provide meaningfully distinct chrtacters at the center of the film. Pine has to be given major praise for carrying this off but the whole cast is effective; Hugh Grant, for example, again demonstrates the meaning of the term “smarmy.”

Comparisons with GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY are probably common but I find the texture and layering of those films to be so heavy they tend to smother the humor. This one does provide a welcome respite from the hideous poilitics in the US these days. I laughed!

My only complaint: frequent cursing. That’s OK with me but I would prefer my grandchildren not see this yet.

Review copyright (c) 2024 by Dennis D. McDonald

More “fantasy”