The Legend of Vox Machina | Television Review

Gary Gygax. The man. The myth. The Legend. Gygax created one of the most innovative storytelling methods in history through the tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, making way for nerds of all kinds to explore their imagination and creativity. Yet, many fans of D&D wouldn’t even know about the game if it weren’t for Critical Role, the minds behind The Legend of Vox Machina. 

Critical Role normalized and expanded the interest of D&D to people all over through their web series/podcast. The group is made up of voice actors, including Matthew Mercer (Overwatch, Fallout 4), Laura Bailey (The Last of Us Part II, Black Widow in Marvel’s Avengers Assemble), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us, Blindspot), Sam Riegel (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and more. What began as friends just playing a regular game turned into one of the most insane production sets, character art, and innovative homebrew content that was adopted as canon by Wizards of the Coast, the publishing company of D&D. 

The first campaign, Vox Machina, developed by Matt Mercer, used the most recent edition of D&D rules, but in Mercer’s own thrilling and captivating world. The Legend of Vox Machina is not only a beautifully brutal depiction of the world of Dungeons and Dragons, but is the animated visualization of the story created throughout the two year period of Critical Role‘s first campaign. The good news is if you’ve never played D&D or you’re not much of a fan of tabletop games, The Legend of Vox Machina could still be for you. 

The limited series on Amazon Prime Video follows a collective of unlikely heroes on a quest to save Exandria, the fictional world built by Mercer himself. The first two episodes are newly developed content, likely to give us a proper setup for the series which has already received a renewal of a second season. These 7 adventurers must fight for their survival against an unknown creature, while on a quest for revenge of those that slaughtered Percival’s entire family. 

Pike (Ashley Johnson) is a soft but strong gnome cleric whose bond with the raging murder machine that is Grog (Travis Willingham) – a Goliath barbarian – can bring even the most exaggerated machismo to tears. The two have cultivated a sibling-like relationship despite being complete opposites: Pike is the heart of the show and her struggle with connecting to her God introduces an element of humanity that The Legend of Vox Machina would miss without. 

While Grog brings levity and humor, he is only one half of our comedic relief. Every friend group needs the team pervert or sex fiend, and that’s where Scanlan (Sam Riegel) – gnome bard – comes in. Not only does he make all of us laugh in sexual discomfort but the brilliance of how his magic hand is depicted will make you both chuckle and squee. Keyleth (Marisha Ray), a half-elf druid, feels like she has the least to do here, however she does have an incredible moment of overcoming her anxiety and self-doubt that so many of us can relate to. 

Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), a half-elf ranger, and her twin Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien), a half-elf rogue, are less entertaining and operate as a more stoic duo there for a fight. Though, nowhere near as serious and gruff as our dear Percy, who is haunted by the massacre of his loved ones. Credit to the art department is well-deserved because not only do our characters look visually wonderful and the fight scenes make you cringe, but they mastered emotion in their animation. Any time one of these characters is forced to come face-to-face with their enemies, that gut-wrenching, anxious loathing comes to the surface effortlessly. 

The cast beyond our main squeezes – including Matt Mercer as most of the NPCs (non-player character) – is stacked beyond belief. David Tennant, Stephanie Beatriz, Dominic Monaghan, Gina Torres, and so many more armor themselves for the ensuing battle. 

Speaking of battle, The Legend of Vox Machina is 100% NOT suitable for your youngins. Not even slightly. Not even a little bit. Do not show this to them. Beyond the language and absolutely vicious and bloody violence, Scanlon’s sexy scenes would simply raise far too many questions and no parent wants to explain an animated troll dick to their kids. 

Regardless, this is exactly what us fans desire. The Legend of Vox Machina is a seamless story that feels incredibly authentic and story beats are well-timed. D&D fans at large will feel a metaphorical wink as the workings of a failed roll are naturally showcased on screen. There were at least a couple of moments I said to myself, “well, someone must’ve rolled a nat 1” (the worst you can do, making all of your efforts unsuccessful). That part is so fun for fans. 

The Legend of Vox Machina is not just a tribute to Critical Role and its fans; it is a love letter to Dungeons & Dragons fans of all ages, sizes, races, classes, genders, and rolling ability. Nothing has even come remotely close to portraying the game on screen the way writer Jennifer Muro and Titmouse’s animations have accomplished with The Legend of Vox Machina. Everything works so well, you have to wonder just how many nat 20s were rolled in production.

The Legend of Vox Machina premieres on Amazon Prime Video on January 28, 2022
Story based on Critical Role
Starring Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey

Follow our further discussion on The Legend of Vox Machina via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: