DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (2000)

MORGAN'S RATING

When Profion, an evil wizard, schemes to dethrone the new empress of a mystical land, she recruits a band of adventurerers, which includes a sorceress and a rogue, to find a magical artifact that will foil the wizard's plot. This artifact, the Rod of Dragon Control, gives the bearer the ability to control dragons.

Jeremy Irons (Profion), Justin Whalin (Ridley Freeborn), Marlon Wayans (Snails), Zoe McLellan (Marina Pretensa), Thora Birch (Empress Savina), Kristen Wilson (Norda), Richard O'Brien (Xilus), Tom Baker (Halvarth), Lee Arenberg (Elwood Gutworthy), Edward Jewesbury (Vildan Vildir), Robert Miano (Azmath), Bruce Payne (Damodar), David O'Kelly (Three Eyes), Martin Astles (Orc 1), Matthew O'Toole (Orc 2), Kia Jam (Thief), Nicholas Rochette (Thief), David Mandis (Thief), Robert Henny (Crimson Brigade), Tomas Havrlik (Mage), Stanislav Ondricek (Another Mage), Dave Arneson (Cameo).

THIS IS NO GAME. ADVENTURE HINGES ON MORE THAN JUST A THROW OF THE DICE.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Courtney Solomon. WRITERS: Topper Lilien, Carroll Cartwright, and based on the game by E. Gary Gygaz (uncredited). PRODUCERS: Courtney Solomon, Thomas M. Hammel, and Kia Jam. ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Bob Dahlin, Allen Crawford, Nancy Koester, John Raczka, and Justin Whalin. CO-PRODUCERS: Ann Flagella, Mark Leahy, David Minkowski, Steve Richards, Conrad Riggs, Matthew Stillman, and Sean T. Stratton. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Joel Silver, Allen Zeman and Nelson Leong. CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Bruce Rockowitz. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Justin Caine Burnett. DISTRIBUTOR: New Line Cinema.

FACTS

QUOTES

RELEASE DATE: December 8th, 2000 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: May 22nd, 2001 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $7.2 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $15.2 million (USA) WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $38.3 million BUDGET: $45 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: May 28th, 1999 -- ??? - The character Nilus, played by Richard O'Brien speaks the line, "You finish the maze, you win the prize!" O'Brien often spoke this line when he hosted the British gameshow, The Crystal Maze (1990). - The trailers for this film listed none of the cast, not even Jeremy Irons. - Another ending was shot where Empress Savina destroys her rod and proclaims the heroes champions of the throne. According to director Courtney Solomon this was such a bad idea he didn't even put it on the DVD. - Courtney Solomon acquired the rights to the Dungeons and Dragons property when he was 19 years old and spent the next two years finding financing for it. - Followed by a sequel: Dungeons and Dragons: The Sequel (2005)

Snails: I've got a new word for "stupid" now: Ridley! This is the Ridleyest thing I've ever heard!

Snails: Why don't we just rob God while we're up here.

Snails: I thought you said this was going to be easy. Ridley: No, I said it wasn't impossible. Snails: See that's the same thing you said when we robbed that halfing house. And who did he catch? Me. And who did he beat from the waist down? Me.

Ridley: Yeah well, have you everh eard of honor amongst thieves? We might live outside the law but we respect each other.

Elwood: If I ain't drinking, you sure ain't shopping.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"The disconnects are so strange that with a little more effort, they could have become style." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"It's difficult to imagine either a casual player or a devotee (let alone someone unfamiliar with the game) finding much to enjoy in this horribly slapdash affair." -- Ernest Hardy, Film.com

"The sad truth is I can say nothing to recommend this film." -- John Perakis, Chicago Tribune

"A mildly entertaining but tepid extravaganza more suited to television than the big screen." -- Loren King, Boston Globe