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In the kingdom of Izmer, the evil Profion (Jeremy Irons) uses black magic to gain advantage
over Empress Savina (Thora Birch) whose throne he wants to usurp. While Savina tries to restore balance in the kingdom by giving equality to the common people, Profion plots
to maintain rule by the Mages, assisted by his cursed and veritable puppet, Damodar, from whose bald head come out snakey parasites that latch onto a victim's ears to slurp up
his knowledge and memory.
Common thieves Ridley (Justin Whalin) and Snails (Marlon Wayans), together with the Mage Marina (Zoe McLellan) meet up with the dwarf Ewood (Lee Arenberg) to begin their hunt for the orb called Dragon's Eye which gives the bearer power over the dragons when placed in Empress Savina's scepter.
Don't expect to find a computer or board game from this movie.
After all those bashings and slashings resulting from having to slay a great number of dragons in the dungeons, Dungeons and Dragons leaves the viewer with the
impression that it's a "trying hard" imitation of Lord of the Rings.
The theme is worn and weary: the great trek in pursuit of an elusive magical something that's supposed to endow the captor with powers—in this case that "something" is an "orb" that, being round, naturally rolls about and away from pursuers' grasp practically the whole length of the movie. A fantasy movie with a clicheic plot should at least have fantabulous effects or an intelligent script to fill the gap, but unfortunately
Dungeons and Dragons has neither.
Some people in the entertainment industry maintain that violent programming is harmless.
They also claim that young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, a five-year study (made by the Child Care Action Program in
the United States) shows that "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life.
Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life. Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language." The violence in movies such as Dungeons and Dragons
may be merely computer generated, but still, they can affect the impressionable mind and have a great chance of being a behavior template for the observer. Thus, while
Dungeons and Dragons seems "sex-free" and "clean" enough for children, parents would be better off spending their 100 pesos (movie ticket price) on something more constructive.
(Date Reviewed: 14 October 2005)
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