Knights of Badassdom (2013)

Director: Joe Lynch

Writer: Kevin Dreyfuss, Matt Wall (Screenplay)

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage, Summer Glau, Jimmi Simpson

 

Plot: Live-action role players conjure up a demon from Hell by mistake and they must deal with the consequences.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Fun Comedy But Not Fantastic

 

Story: Knights of Badassdom starts by explaining about an ancient book that brings demons to life and that has been hidden for years but has been found by a group of role playing friends Eric (Zahn), Hung (Dinklage), Ronnie (Simpson) and more. Their ritual is interrupted by some paint ballers who then open the book.  Next we meet Joe (Kwanten) you everyday slacker who enjoys death metal and lives in a castle with the rest of the guys and gets dumped by his girlfriend.

Eric and Hung help Joe get over his break up by getting him high leading to him to pass out and take him to a role playing event against his will. Ronnie still has a grudge with Joe and as he is hosting the event as the gamemaster he is putting thing together. For Joe to be able to compete in the game he must have a ritual performed on him giving him a chance to have a real sword again, but the group ends up summoning a real demon. The missions are lined up and the three friends are joined by the beautiful Gwen (Glau) as they have a fun filled time while the demon starts taking out the people taking part in the weekend. The remaining members of the game players have to team up to beat the demon which has left bodies all over the game.

Knights of Badassdom gets to make light of the idea of role playing events that people do enjoy, it might not be for everyone but the people who do it do get enjoyment which is shown in the film. The film also keeps things very simple with the story of two friends trying to help another get over a girlfriend only for him to meet a new love interest and prove himself in combat. The film doesn’t take itself too serious and is very easy to watch, the fans of Big Bang Theory will enjoy the comedy but otherwise it will look strange at time. This is one story that will be easily forgotten but equal enjoyed. (6/10)

 

Actor Review

 

Ryan Kwanten: Joe the run of the mile slacker who gets dumped because he wasn’t growing up, his friends take him to a role playing weekend only to end up having to fight a real demon. Ryan takes the lead role and fits the reluctant hero idea well without really shining. (6/10)

 

Peter Dinklage: Hung friend of Joe’s who makes him go to the weekend and explains the rules, but he doesn’t last as long as we would have liked which is a huge disappoint because he is the biggest name in the dam film. Peter does well for his short time on screen making a laugh happen with every line. (7/10)

Steve Zahn: Eric the sorcerer of the group of friends who upon finding a new book actually brings a real demon to life and has to figure out a way to send it back to hell. Steve shows he is always a good comic relief character here and usually has the funniest lines. (7/10)

 

Summer Glau: Gwen the beautiful warrior that looks completely out of place in the event but also proves to be one of the best players in the game. Summer does a good job a continues to show she will always appear in geek themed films. (7/10)

 

Jimmi Simpson: Ronnie Kwok the game master for the weekend who has been planning the event for months but everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Jimmi brings his unique style to this film well and makes the quirky role his own. (7/10)

 

Support Cast: Knights of Badassdom has a supporting cast that is most the rest of the players in the game that all face the demon and most lose.

 

Director Review: Joe Lynch – Joe has openly said he has disowned this film and I would like to see how his vision of the film really went before making him work. (NA/10)

 

Comedy: Knights of Badassdom does have some funny moments but not enough to make it a real comedy of memorable levels. (5/10)

Fantasy: Knights of Badassdom takes us into a real fantasy world of role playing which works for the idea of the film. (7/10)

Horror: Knights of Badassdom enters into the real tongue in cheek world of horror, where things happen but they are just bloody not scary. (6/10)

Settings: Knights of Badassdom ends up putting us into a real isolation idea for the horror with nowhere to run and no one to call. (7/10)
Special Effects: Knights of Badassdom has basic effects you can tell how fake some of it is but that also helps because it makes it all look like part of the role playing. (7/10)

Suggestion: Knights of Badassdom is one to try but I can’t guarantee everyone will enjoy it. (Try It)

 

Best Part: Demon destroyed.

Worst Part: The terrible song to beat the demon.

 

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes

Tagline: ‘Tis about to get medieval up in here.

Trivia: The main cast went through Live Action Role Playing sessions before filming and Peter Dinklage was declared the most successful out of everyone.

 

Overall: This is a real just simple fun film that never really gets to the full level it could achieve.

Rating