SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

"DUNGEONS & DRAGONS"
(2000) (Justin Whalin, Zoe McLellan) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Minor	Moderate	Extreme	*Moderate	Heavy

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	Extreme	None	Minor

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Mild	None	None	Mild	*Extreme

QUICK TAKE:: Action/Adventure: A ragtag group of individuals tries to find a magical scepter that will prevent an evil man from usurping control of an Empire where both dungeons and dragons are quite prevalent.

PLOT:

In a mystical place of a time unknown, there's turmoil in the Empire of Izmer. The young Empress, Savina (THORA BIRCH), wants equality and prosperity for both the magic capable Mages as well as the commoners, but Profion (JEREMY IRONS), an evil and power-hungry mage, wants to overthrow her, but needs the support of a special council to do so.

With just three days before she must relinquish her rule, Savina hopes that Marina (ZOE McLELLAN), a mage apprentice, can use a map to find a legendary magical scepter that can control the land's red dragons and thus prevent Profion from usurping her throne and power. Unfortunately, he's sent his lieutenant, Damodar (BRUCE PAYNE), and his henchman in search of that same scepter, and Marina soon finds herself on the run.

Unwillingly joining her are two common thieves, Ridley (JUSTIN WHALIN) and Snails (MARLON WAYANS), that she previously caught trying to rob the Magic School, as well as the dwarf Elwood (LEE ARENBERG) and Savina's best tracker, Norda (KRISTEN WILSON), an elf. As the ragtag group tries to find the scepter and preserve peace in their land, they must overcome various obstacles, difficulties and repeated run-ins with Damodar and his men while doing so.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of the role-playing game or anyone in the cast, they probably will.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For fantasy action violence.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: JUSTIN WHALIN plays a common thief who decides to change his ways and help Marina in her quest to find the magic scepter. Along the way, he shows courage and pluckiness in doing so.
MARLON WAYANS plays his best friend, another thief who isn't quite as courageous and would rather not be helping anyone but himself.
ZOE McLELLAN plays an apprentice mage who's desperately searching for the magic scepter and tries to avoid Damodar and his men who are doing the same. Although she initially has somewhat of an elitist attitude toward Ridley and Snails, she eventually changes her ways.
JEREMY IRONS plays an evil mage who wants to overthrow the Empress and take control of the Empire.
BRUCE PAYNE plays his equally evil lieutenant who kills several people and threatens others while trying to serve his master and attain the scepter before Marina and her team do.
LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; MARLON WAYANS plays his best friend, another thief who isn't quite as courageous and would rather not be helping anyone but himself.
ZOE McLELLAN plays an apprentice mage who's desperately searching for the magic scepter and tries to avoid Damodar and his men who are doing the same. Although she initially has somewhat of an elitist attitude toward Ridley and Snails, she eventually changes her ways.
JEREMY IRONS plays an evil mage who wants to overthrow the Empress and take control of the Empire.
BRUCE PAYNE plays his equally evil lieutenant who kills several people and threatens others while trying to serve his master and attain the scepter before Marina and her team do.
LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; ZOE McLELLAN plays an apprentice mage who's desperately searching for the magic scepter and tries to avoid Damodar and his men who are doing the same. Although she initially has somewhat of an elitist attitude toward Ridley and Snails, she eventually changes her ways.
JEREMY IRONS plays an evil mage who wants to overthrow the Empress and take control of the Empire.
BRUCE PAYNE plays his equally evil lieutenant who kills several people and threatens others while trying to serve his master and attain the scepter before Marina and her team do.
LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; JEREMY IRONS plays an evil mage who wants to overthrow the Empress and take control of the Empire.
BRUCE PAYNE plays his equally evil lieutenant who kills several people and threatens others while trying to serve his master and attain the scepter before Marina and her team do.
LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; BRUCE PAYNE plays his equally evil lieutenant who kills several people and threatens others while trying to serve his master and attain the scepter before Marina and her team do.
LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; LEE ARENBERG plays a Viking-looking dwarf who helps Marina and the others battle Damodar and his forces.
KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; KRISTEN WILSON plays the Empress' top tracker who assists Marina and her team.
THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.; THORA BIRCH plays the Empress who wants equality and prosperity for all of the people of her land.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a quick look at the content found in this PG-13 rated, action-adventure fantasy film. Violence is rated as extreme due various violent encounters where several people are killed by various means, as well as other general sword fighting, knife stabbings, etc. That said, most of what occurs is presented in an action/adventure sort of fashion, rather than as realistically portrayed violence. While most of it's bloodless, a few bloody scenes occur, especially one where a recently slain dragon's blood copiously runs down some steps.

Those scenes and others may be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers, but that's more likely to be the case with very young viewers rather than teens. As usual, that will depend on the viewer's age, level of maturity and tolerance for such material. A few instances of profanity and colorful phrases are present, as is some mild sexually related material.

Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes (including the villains who obviously have extremely bad ones), while a tiny bit of drinking is also present. Should you still be concerned about the film and its appropriateness for anyone in your home who wishes to see it, we suggest that you more closely examined our detailed content listings for more specific examples of what occurs in the film.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Various character drink what's presumably ale or something similar in a tavern of sorts. After meeting Norda, Snails tells the barkeep to give him his best bottle of wine (and then whispers that he wants the cheapest).
A thief drinks some wine.

BLOOD/GORE: A dragon shoots flames out of its mouth that catch a man on fire. It then charges Profion who causes a large metal gate to come crashing down on the dragon's neck, killing it and spilling quite a bit of blood (that then flows down some steps).
Profion puts a curse on Damodar that involves shooting him with some sort of beam/energy that causes the skin on Damodar's head and neck to ripple (as if something was moving around underneath it). We then see snake-like Dragon creatures that slither out of his ears, before retreating back into his head.
We later see all sorts of veins and other odd-looking, reddish splotches on Damodar's head and neck.
We see a little bit of blood from Snails' lips after he's been beaten.
We see what looks like a little bit of blood (from a distance) on some grass next to a dead man's head.
Ridley has blood on his shirt from where he was previously stabbed.
Damodar holds Marina in a threatening fashion and just slices her chest with his long nail, drawing a tiny bit of blood.
Profion has a tiny bit of blood on his face.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Profion and his cronies, including Damodar, obviously have extreme cases of both for wanting to overthrow the empress and usurp control of the city and the dragons, no matter the repercussions or deaths involved.
Those who object to the use of magic should note that various characters, including Profion and Marina, use magic (for both bad and/or defensive purposes).
Ridley and Snails are common thieves and on several occasions, they try to steal various things (including from a magic school and later Snails steals items from a street market).
Marina has somewhat of an elitist attitude toward Ridley and Snails when initially paired with them.
A powerful thief smacks Marina on her butt and says that Ridley must be doing fine (as a thief) to have "such a fine morsel" (Marina) with him.

FRIGHTENING SCENES: The sight of a large and menacing-looking dragon - as well as material listed under "Violence" and "Blood/Gore" -- might be unsettling or scary to some kids (including when it shoots out flames that catch a man on fire), all depending on their age, level of maturity and tolerance for such material.
The same holds true for the illusion of a smaller, dragon-like creature that pops out of a box that Snails activates.
Ridley has to make his way through a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" type tunnel/hallway where various lethal booby traps wait for him to make a mistake (a several minute sequence involving sharp and/or swinging blades, flames, walls and ceilings that close in on him, etc.).
Damodar grabs Marina by her hair and two snake-like creatures come out of his ears and attach themselves to her head (so that he can read her mind), causing her to scream. When they're done and retreat back into his head, she slumps to the floor.
Snails finds himself standing on a rug that turns out to be quicksand and he quickly begins sinking into it, nearly disappearing below its surface until someone pulls him out.
Ridley encounters a skeleton that comes to life.

GUNS/WEAPONS: Crossbows/Swords/Ax/Knives/Sharpened claws: Carried and/or used by various characters to threaten, fight with, wound or kill others. See "Violence" for details.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Idiot," "Bastard," "Who the hell is he?" and "Who the hell are you?"
Elwood lets various pieces of food hang from his mouth and beard while eating.
A miscellaneous character has a pierced nostril.
A thief smacks Marina on her butt.

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): An extreme amount of suspenseful, dramatic and action-oriented music plays during the film.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): None.

PROFANITY: At least 4 damns and 2 hells are used during the film.

SEX/NUDITY: It sounds like Snails says in one scene that right about now he and Ridley "need to get laid" (but that's not for certain).
Elwood tells Snails that he needs to find a woman who's bigger than an elf and one with some hair on her chin "that you can hang onto."
A thief smacks Marina on her butt and says that Ridley must be doing fine (as a thief) to have "such a fine morsel" (Marina) with him.
A miscellaneous woman shows cleavage.
Norda wears what looks like a metal chest plate that has accentuated, protruding breasts.
Marina and Ridley briefly make out while standing up (fully clothed).

SMOKING: None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: None.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: Savina's quest to bring about equality and prosperity for all of the citizens of Izmer.
Various characters' use of magic.
That the villains' maniacal plans always end up being their undoing.

VIOLENCE: Most of what's listed below occurs in an action-adventure fashion, rather than as a realistically graphic portrayal of violence.
A dragon shoots flames out of its mouth that catch a man on fire. It then charges Profion who causes a large metal gate to come crashing down on the dragon's neck, killing it and spilling quite a bit of blood (that then flows down some steps).
Damodar grabs a person by the neck and evidently breaks it (although not graphically). Marina then uses her magic to knock down Damodar and his cronies and then escapes.
A fired arrow from a crossbow knocks Elwood's helmet from his head. Some fighting then breaks out between Elwood and Damodar and his cronies, with the Damodar coming at Elwood with some steel claws that come out of his wrist, but Elwood knocks him to the street.
Elwood overturns a table and causes some barroom brawl style fighting to break out in a tavern.
Several characters struggle with Ridley, Snails and Elwood and then drag them away.
An arrow hits a person (non-graphically). Various people (Damodar's men and various thieves) then fight and struggle with each other (including with swords). Ridley uses a log of some sort to hit several men who try to hit him with swords, while Damodar abducts and removes Marina. Snails then hits a guard with a stick.
Norda's followers hold their crossbows on Ridley, Snails and Elwood.
Damodar grabs Marina by her hair and two snake-like creatures come out of his ears and attach themselves to her head (so that he can read her mind), causing her to scream. When they're done and retreat back into his head, she slumps to the floor.
After Damodar confronts him, a nervous Snails pulls out his sword and tries attacking him, but Damodar thwarts such efforts and grabs Snails by the throat. He then punches him several times, but Snails then pulls out a small knife and slices Damodar somewhere on his body (we don't see the cut).
Ridley fights others with swords, while Marina hits one of his opponents with a lit torch (but the man doesn't catch on fire). A man then grabs Ridley and throws him into some walls several times. Marina then hits him with that torch, but he then knocks her down. In turn, Ridley stabs this man (we don't see the insertion or blood) and then knees him.
Meanwhile Damodar pursues Snails and hits him many times (in the body and then face) upon catching him. Snails then tries going at him with a knife, but Damodar grabs him and we hear what sounds like some bone breaking sounds and see Damodar hit him again, sending Snails to the ground.
Damodar stabs (and kills) a man with his retractable claws (non-graphically) and then throws his body off a castle wall.
Ridley tries to attack Damodar with a sword, but he grabs it, and in turn, stabs it down into Ridley's chest, even going so far as to then twisting that sword in the wound (non-graphically). Damodar then prepares to strike and kill Ridley with the sword, but Marina uses some magic to knock Damodar to the ground so that they can escape.
Various evil Mages fire energy bolts at attacking dragons that shoot fireballs back at them, destroying parts of various buildings/structures and evidently injuring some people (but not graphically). Others fire large crossbows at the dragons, with a large arrow hitting one dragon that then falls from the sky and is impaled on the pointy top of some structure (no blood) and dies.
Damodar holds Marina in a threatening fashion and just slices her chest with his long nail, drawing a tiny bit of blood.
Norda stabs two guards with knives (and then another two - but none are done in a graphic fashion), while Ridley fights others with his sword, and Elwood knocks various guards aside with his large ax. Ridley then punches several people and hits others with his sword.
Various dragons battle one another in the skies while others shoot fireballs at various buildings/structures. Two of them crash into each other in mid-flight.
Ridley and Damodar get into a swordfight with the latter knocking the former to the floor. Ridley then slices Damodar (but we don't see any blood).
A person stabs another person in the back and then throws that victim over an edge of a very tall building/structure.
Ridley runs into Profion and knocks him down. Profion then hits Ridley with some sort of staff and then knocks down Marina, Norda and Elwood who all were trying to attack him.
A dragon bites into a man, shakes his body around a bit (non-graphically) and then swallows him before flying away.

Reviewed December 5, 2000 / Posted December 8, 2000

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