The Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie boasts an array of unforgettable set pieces, but it's the one-take chase scene that's currently capturing the attention of VFX artists everywhere. Led by Chris Pine, the film is the second attempt to bring the beloved tabletop game to the big screen, and it's safe to say that it's far more successful than its predecessor. Critics have praised the movie for its humor, stunning visual effects, and its introduction of the iconic world in a way that's accessible to all. Despite the critical acclaim, the movie didn't quite hit the mark at the box office, earning just over $207 million against its $150 million production budget.
In the latest episode of their "VFX Artists React" series, the talented team at Corridor Crew dives into Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and its one-take chase scene. The group examines the impressive use of seamless blends between fully CGI shots and practical ones, as well as the clever ways the filmmakers managed to hide certain visual effects without sacrificing quality. To see their in-depth breakdown, check out the video below, which concludes at the 4:24 mark:
How The Oner Has Become A Hollywood Staple
The one-take chase scene in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves featuring Sophia Lillis' tiefling druid Doric showcased the impressive magical abilities of a shapeshifter in the game. Additionally, the scene highlighted Hollywood's affinity for the unique filming technique. The one-take method, which involves shooting an entire scene or movie without any cuts, has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the past two decades, following in the footsteps of legendary filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.
The resurgence of the one-take technique can be attributed to a number of factors, but one notable catalyst was director Park Chan-wook's iconic hallway fight scene in 2003's Oldboy. Since then, the technique has been used in a variety of genres, with action movies like John Wick, Atomic Blonde, and Extraction (whose sequel surpasses the original with a 21-minute long take) being some of the most prominent examples. However, even comedies like Game Night (directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley) have experimented with the one-take, showcasing the versatility and potential of the technique. As we wait to see if a Dungeons & Dragons sequel will materialize, one can only hope that Goldstein and Daley continue to push the boundaries of their unique directorial style in future films.