There are dungeons.

There are dragons.

There’s a lot more than that in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”

Don’t let the title put you off. Let’s just call it “D&D.”

After all, it’s only a game.

“D&D” is based on the Hasbro tabletop role-playing game. And that’s the fun of the movie. The actors and directors realize it’s only a game. They don’t seem to care about the ridiculous and hackneyed plot. They seem to be having fun and so the movie-goer has fun, too.

”D&D” is a contemporary take on the hallowed swashbuckler genre from the Golden Age of Hollywood and the films of legendary movie star Errol Flynn (1909 - 1959).

In “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” in the lead role is Chris Pine as Edgin, who brings a team together, including Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), Xenk (Regé-Jean Page), Simon (Justice Smith) and Doric (Sophia Lillis).

In one of the movie’s many little delights, look for Bradley Cooper in a hilarious turn as Marlamin.

Team Edgin opposes Forge (Hugh Grant) and Sofina (Daisy Head), who rule over the land of Neverwinter (not to be confused with Florida).

Edgin and company are on a quest to locate a magical helmet, The Helm of Disjunction (not to be confused with a conjunction). For that, they must travel to the Underdark (not to be confused with Bud Light).

Edgin also wants to rescue his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman), who has been kidnapped by Forge.

OK, that’s enough plot recitation.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” has elements of the movies, “The Princess Bride” (1987), “The Lord of The Rings” (2002, 2002, 2003) and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975).

There’s plenty of action, swordplay, hand-to-hand fight scenes, strange and unusual creatures, scary monsters, imaginative sets and special effects and amazing visuals.

This is a breakout role for Pine as a lead star, even though he’s been in plenty of movies (Steve Trevor, “Wonder Woman 1984,” 2020; Jack Ryan, “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” 2014; Prince, “Into the Woods,” 2014; Kirk, “Star Trek” series, 2009).

Pine has the charm of a young Kevin Costner and the quip-ready timing of a young Harrison Ford. Pine has his own goofy charm, including scenes where he makes like a minstrel and plays the lute and sings.

Rodriguez (Letty, “Fast and Furious” series) has a powerful screen presence and doesn’t disappoint in the action scenes.

Co-directors John Francis Daley (screenwriter, “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” 2017; “Horrible Bosses,” 2011) and Jonathan Goldstein (director, “Game Night,” 2018; “Vacation,” 2015) provide a good mix of action and comedy.

Daley and Goldstein co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Gilio (director, screenwriter, “Kwik Stop,” 2001) based on a story by Gilio and Chris McKay (director, “Renfeld,” 2023; “The Tomorrow War,” 2021; “The Lego Batman Movie,” 2017).

Even if you’ve never played “Dungeons & Dragons” the game, you should be game for the “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” the movie.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for fantasy action-violence and some language; Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, Fantasy; Run time: 2 hours, 14 minutes. Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

The “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” end credits include a scene that harks back to a, ahem, plot point involving a graveyard where a skeleton pleads to be asked one more question so that he can return to his coffin in peace. The movie was filmed in Northern Ireland and Iceland. During the movie, “Juice Of The Vine,” written by John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Lorne Balfe, is played by Chris Pine and sung by him and Michelle Rodriguez, as is “When The Battle Is Over,” written by Daley, Goldstein and Balfe, also played by Pine and sung by him and Rodriguez.

At the Movies:

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” was seen in Dolby Cinema at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. The speakers roar and the seats rumble to good effect in certain scenes.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Box Office,

April 5 - April 9: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was super, opening at No. 1, with $146.3 million for the weekend, and $204.6 million for five days since opening April 5 in 4,343 theaters.

The animation feature movie based on the video game had the biggest opening ever for an animated film with $377 million worldwide, surpassing the previous record of “Frozen II” (2019), which opened with $358 million, according to Hollywood Reporter, which also stated it’s the best-ever opening ever for a movie based on a video game; the biggest five-day opening ever, surpassing “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009), which had $200 million, and the top opening of 2023, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantunamia.”

2. “John Wick: Chapter 4” stayed in place, $14.6 million in 3,607 theaters, $147 million, three weeks. 3. “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” dropped two places from No. 1 with $14.5 million in 3,856 theaters, $62.2 million, two weeks. 4. “Air,” directed by Ben Affleck and starring himself, Matt Damon and Viola Davis in the sports film about the Michael Jordan sneaker, $14.4 million in 3,507 theaters, weekend, $20.2 million since April 5 opening. 5. “Scream VI” dropped one place, $3.3 million in 2,286 theaters, $103.8 million, five weeks. 6. “His Only Son” dropped three places, $3.2 million in 1,930 theaters, $11 million, two weeks. 7. “Creed III” dropped two places, $2.8 million in 2,002 theaters, $153.2 million, six weeks. 8. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” dropped two places, $1.6 million in 2,203 theaters, $56.6 million, four weeks. 9. “Paint,” starring Owen Wilson as a fictional television painting show star, $750,000 in 819 theaters, opening. 10. “A Thousand and One” dropped three places, $600,000 in 926 theaters, $2.9 million, two weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of April 9 is subject to change.

Unreel,

April 14:

“Renfield,”

Rated R: Chris McKay directs Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina in the Comedy, Fantasy Horror movie. The story of Dracula is told from the perspective of his henchman. Nicolas Cage is down for the Count as he chews more than the scenery.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of April 9 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes