![]() The characters are quirky and likable, and the fantasy action of it all is joyous. This series is for adults, and some early HBO-esque female nudity reinforces what the comedic violence does not. There’s Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham), the dumb giant Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson) the Cleric with her holy magic, Vex (Laura Bailey) and Vax (Liam O’Brien), the half-elf siblings, and the rest of the Vox Machina crew as they come out guns blazing, drunkenly fighting the entire bar. We’re given a fun fight that sets up our heroes, their personality, fighting styles, and magical powers. This technique is incredible, and the visuals are at their best when we can live in the action and motion and forget the illusion that these are all flat figures animated to simulate depth and dimensionality. The art direction is quick and flashy and the “camera” is jittery and jumpy, mimicking a handheld camcorder recording of a quickly escalating bar brawl. We learn of a mysterious threat to a fantasy kingdom, and quickly meet Vox Machina, a team of rough-but-lovable mercenaries starting a fight in a tavern. The juxtaposition of the self-serious fantasy trappings and comically sudden violence manages to poetically set a tone for what’s to come, a plucky adventure charging fearlessly ahead, occasionally striking the odd notes but invariably sucking you in with its confidence, charm and gorgeous visuals. The first episode starts with “Itchy and Scratchy”-level violence that undercuts its own dramatic set up, pitting archetypical fantasy heroes against an unseen foe, only to see them immediately slaughtered for laughs. Luckily, the series is a blast, it calls its shots and knocks them out of the park as fantasy tropes, touching moments, hilarious bits and action setpieces stack up like treasure in a dungeon. ![]() This adaptation of Critical Role’s previous adventures can practically be considered the standard bearer for Dungeons and Dragons as an intellectual property. This level of fervor can carry similarly intense expectations, and as such, the anticipation of Amazon’s new series “The Legend of Vox Machina” has been immense. And at the forefront of this massive upswell of attention and energy is Critical Role, the global phenomenon D&D stream led by DM Matt Mercer and his group of voice actors - who gather regularly to record their games as they play Dungeons and Dragons better than anyone thought possible.Ĭritical Role is so ever-present in the fandom that it’s even spawned a social anxiety known as “Mercer Syndrome,” wherein sufferers can’t help but compare their efforts to those seen on Critical Role. ![]() Players would gather to pretend to be fantastical fantasy heroes, battling monsters and evil in made-up worlds under the watchful eye of the Dungeon Master. ![]() Thousands of creators have all garnered millions of views on Dungeons and Dragons content, as viewers across the world tuned in to watch. Dungeons and Dragons, the once-reviled and still deeply misunderstood fantasy game, is enjoying unprecedented popularity in our current age of never-ending content and streaming. It’s hard to explain to the outside observer what Amazon Prime Video’s new animated series “ The Legend of Vox Machina” means for the D&D fans of the world. Crittenden knows a thing or two about turning his experience as a Dungeon Master into a bit of a career, and that’s exactly what the Critical Role team has done on their popular D&D stream - which has now led to “Vox Machina.” Here’s Crittenden’s review. Variety asked bonafide Dungeons & Dragons expert Spencer Crittenden - of “Harmontown” and “HarmonQuest” fame - to watch Amazon Prime Video’s new series “The Legends of Vox Machina” and give his take on the show.
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