Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Dungeons and Dragons — Honor Among Thieves review says Everyone can appreciate this Monty Python/Game of Thrones mashup.

“The trailer looks fun and I really like the cast, but I don’t know anything about the Dungeons and Dragons game, so is this movie for me?”

That’s the question everyone asks when Dungeons and Dragons — Honor Among Thieves comes up. So I decided to put the question to a group of avid movie fans who know nothing about the source material: never played the game, never will.

I did this by inviting my husband, step-son and his wife to my critics screening, with the promise of free popcorn and a large drink.

Spoiler alert: We all really liked—dare I say ‘loved’—it. We got a Monty Python meets Game of Thrones feeling from it that drew us in and kept us laughing, regardless of the fact that we had no clue as to who all the super D&D fans in the audience were dressed like.

Anchored by Chris Pine at his handsome, self-deprecating, charming best, we find a band of misfits with varying magical (not super) powers, attempting to retrieve a life and death changing lost relic, and perhaps a gain a little fortune while they’re at it. There are family tie subplots woven in that warm up the plot considerably.

Almost—not quite, but almost—over shadowing Pine as the reluctant hero is Hugh Grant as a very willing villain. Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Jesse Smith and Sophia Lillis were all fine as well, but this is Grant and Pine’s film.

Directing, screenwriting and executive producing team Johnathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who worked together in the same capacities on Game Night, had just the right, light touch, without letting it degenerate into silliness. There’s plenty of awe, wonder and sentiment as well, without the overwhelm of super hero (not magic) movies.

And here’s a side note to all those D&D fans who really are hoping for the deep game levels on the big screen they’ve been praying for lo these many years: After the credits we listened to the opinions of audience members who were dressed up D&D devotees (yes, some were heard in the bathroom, so sue me). Most waxed rapturous.

“We’ve been waiting for this movie for almost 50 years, and it was everything we hoped for!” enthused one tunic clad fan, who didn’t look like he had anywhere near 50 years under his belt to wait, but I’ll give him credit anyway.

Dungeons and Dragons — Honor Among Thieves is great for the uninitiated, and great for the seasoned pros. What more could an audience ask?

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 14 Minutes

If, after reading this Dungeons and Dragons — Honor Among Thieves review you feel like sallying forth to the cineplex, find times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Dungeons and Dragons — Honor Among Thieves review says Everyone can appreciate this Monty Python/Game of Thrones mashup.