Dungeons and Dragons was formerly all the rage back in the eighties and nineties, when hippie culture gave way to nerdiness's underground rise and eventual cementation into the mainstream around the 2010s and now 2020s. And while today it seems nerd culture's developed into other fascinations, primarily aspects like television, manga, anime, and beyond; it's undoubtable that Dungeons and Dragons remains the mainstay of geeky enjoyment that it began as decades ago. But if you're not partial to hour-long sessions of drafting character sheets, rolling die, and hoping your Dungeon Master isn't a troll willing to pull out every conceivable stop to murder your character, there's now another way to experience the mythological brilliance of DnD all on your own! The Legend of Vox Machina, produced from the stories of the famous web-series Critical Role helmed by Matt Mercer, is exactly what you're looking for. An action-packed, adrenaline-pumping thrill ride of gore and battle combined with some wholesome and genuine character interactions, stockaded with a cast of lovable heroic protagonists facing off against a coterie of menacing villains, Vox Machina has everything a hungering high fantasy fan needs for an enjoyable, three season (so far) experience. So what specifically makes Vox Machina so damn fun? Let's get right into it!
Firstly, whilst indeed based off a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, knowledge of the previous campaign hosted by Mercer and his voice-actor compatriots isn't required whatsoever to become entranced with the lore and setting of Exandria, the world where these grandiose adventures take place. The show perfectly introduces you to the accompanying lore and characters right off the bat, allowing viewers new and old to integrate seamlessly into their audience. The Vox Machina adventuring group, consisting of Pike Trickfoot (the healer), Grog Strongjaw (the intellectually stunted but lovable brute), Keyleth (the mage), Percival de Rolo (the technological wiz and aristocrat), Scanlan Shorthalt (the group's bard and resident sex pest), and Vex and Vax (an Elvish rogue and archer respectively) fulfill the idealized stereotypes of any fantasy crew, yet the show leverages their generic roles with their unique, intricate backstories and subsequent story arcs which take the viewer throughout a variety of locations, from haunted manors occupied by cruel scientists and sadistic vampiric undead to mystical realms of enchantment and horror in equal measure.
An example would be De Rolo's backstory, also providing the primary plotline for the first season. Right after slaying a dragon and establishing themselves within the Kingdom of Tal-Dorei's capital city of Emon, the characters encounter the ruthless Briarwoods, (being the aforementioned vampires), ultimately becoming enraptured into a quest to liberate Percival's hometown of Whitestone from their sinister occupation before they can enact a diabolical plan of apocalyptic proportions. Throughout this, the other various characters are given times to shine and develop their own specialized quirks and mannerisms that make each stand out as lovable members of the group, whilst also deepening the relationships they have with each other. Pike and Grog's sibling association, the budding romances between Percival and Vax and Vex and Keyleth respectively, and Scanlan grappling with his own shortcomings as a person and constantly masquerading them behind an air of lustful bravado and song. Each of these characters might appeal to a viewer in some way, and even if they don't, their interactions are enjoyable, comedic, and heartfelt enough that your retention is absolutely guaranteed.
But say you're like me, an appreciator for the more evil things in life, and want a compelling antagonist to pair with your cast of heroes. Look no further. Season One alone introduces a menagerie of iconic foes, some of which Vox Machina contends with after the first major story arc's conclusion. There's the Briarwoods and their entourage of sycophants whom first overthrew the De Rolo family and usurped Whitestone, alongside Doctor Anna Ripley, a villainous mad scientist determined to achieve her nefarious goals of scientific supremacy over the tyranny of magic-users by any means necessary. There's Orthax, a Demon that's latched onto Percy's desire for vengeance against his family's executioners, always conniving amidst the shadow.
Later on, we're introduced to the Chroma Conclave under Thordak (voiced by the timeless Lance Reddick, rest in peace), a council of powerful dragons that drive our heroes to new lengths of strain never witnessed prior. Thordak's motivations are especially interesting for a dragon, as unlike traditional fantasy roles for the draconic lizards we've come to know and love, Thordak isn't interested in gold for greed's sake, but rather aims to create a nascent army of hatched Dragonspawn for the purpose of absolute world domination.
And of course there's countless other enemies Vox Machina contends with over the course of their campaigns. Yet none so terrifying as the one secretly behind the Briarwoods' takeover of Whitestone, the true benefactor of their ambitions... the Whispered One, Lord Vecna, arguably the most iconic Dungeons and Dragons villain ever created. When he arrives on screen, I promise you all, it'll be nothing short of cataclysmic. That being said, all this and more awaits a prospective viewer of Vox Machina. So check it out on Prime Video today, knowing that I've given it my full blessing and a proper 10/10! God Bless everyone, and stay tuned for more reviews and content coming on this blog!
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