This installment discusses the story of Drizzt and why it would translate well into a feature film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCxTkmOflo
New blog entries have been posted:
http://www.myspace.com/ruben_films
We've also uploaded a Wallpaper on Deviant Art:
http://legendofdrizzt.deviantart.com/art/Drizzt-Wallpaper1-1680x1050-115793710
Enjoy!
.... Sounds good to me!
Drizzt? As in that whiny, emo, highly overrated, cliche of a Drow Ranger Drizzt?
The problem was that Drizzt was fairly original when he was created. He didn't become cliched until about 15 quadzillion* fans decided to copy him.
*Figure may not be accurate.
But after witnessing this fan-made movie I think it would be nice to see a live-action or even CG (preferable) movie made on him. If only too uh, quell the outcries of Drizzt fanbois - all 15 quadzillion of them. :P
Drizzt was original!? I must have missed that memo when it came out...
It was back in '88. The books are older than some of their fans.
If Bob Salvatore is reading this, I'm sorry if I made you feel old. ;)
rant
The "badass loner with a dark past, going against the established tenets of his inherently evil race, while exploring his inner being on a journey of self sacrifice, learning to accept and be accept along the way, all while battling the inner demon of his race and mind" is something not new. Not in '88 and especially not now with our Riddick's and such.
I guess I never just put Drizzt up on a pedestal like so many other people did. I like the Drizzt character and all, but certainly not for his "originality".
/rant
...I know Drizzt is neither unique nor original.
There is nothing new under the sun. Yes, you could easily see him as a combination of a lot of themes seen in various works of fiction. Hell, Star Wars wasn't unique or original when it came out.
But you tell me how many twin scimitar wielding dark elves were running around before him? Had to be in single digits, at most. Even fewer when you ask how many of them were Rangers. Yes, now they are a dime a dozen. Because of Drizzt.
Or maybe you complain of his being constructed of common tropes? See, when you called him a cliche I thought you might perhaps be mistaking him as copying all the twin scimitar dark elves you see running around on various MMOs, fanfiction, and game tables.
But you tell me how many twin scimitar wielding dark elves were running around before him? Had to be in single digits, at most. Even fewer when you ask how many of them were Rangers.
I agree. When Salvatore started that series, Rangers weren't the dual-wielding class in D&D. Now they are. I would hazard a guess that the popularity of Drizz't played a large role in WotC's design choices for the Ranger class.
To put it another way: some of those people aren't consciously copying Drizz't. They are just playing D&D according to the rulebook... but the D&D rulebook borrowed some concepts and features from Drizz't, so the gamers playing the system may accidentally end up looking a bit "Drizz'ty" ;) even if they've never heard of him.
- Alane -
Disclaimer: I've never read any book by R.A. Salvatore.
-
The "dual-wielding scimitar Drow Ranger" bit wasn't something I was actively thinking of when I typed up my reply. That aspect of the character, while certainly different for a Drow/Ranger, the idea of dual-wielding two swords or two different weapons wasn't new in '88 no more then it was a hundred years ago in fantasy stories. For D&D and Ranger's certainly, and while Drizzt may have influenced the future of Ranger builds, I'm not going to give him full credit for the idea itself.
Man, I must be the only Drizzt fanboi who likes to talk about the flaws and cliches of the actual concept of the character, rather then talk about the "good parts". Or I could just be one of them youngin's who was born after the books and is just so jaded that Drizzt has no impact on anything I do no matter what angle I look at him.
Or maybe not... :P
Oh less complaining and more just stating an opinion I feel for the character as a whole.
The "dual-wielding scimitar Drow Ranger" bit wasn't something I was actively thinking of when I typed up my reply. That aspect of the character, while certainly different for a Drow/Ranger, the idea of dual-wielding two swords or two different weapons wasn't new in '88 no more then it was a hundred years ago in fantasy stories. For D&D and Ranger's certainly, and while Drizzt may have influenced the future of Ranger builds, I'm not going to give him full credit for the idea itself.
Man, I must be the only Drizzt fanboi who likes to talk about the flaws and cliches of the actual concept of the character, rather then talk about the "good parts". Or I could just be one of them youngin's who was born after the books and is just so jaded that Drizzt has no impact on anything I do no matter what angle I look at him.
Or maybe not... :P
I'm a fan of Drizz't, and I must say, you're giving me the vibe of " I like Drizz't. He's not original, but he pulls it off."
I don't like Drizzt, but the people who made the video are awesome.
And the people who made the video think you are awesome too! :P
its great. The full length trailer is awesome, and then this "get to know" video making a case for production is also cool. Well done, indeed.I wonder, however, if this might better be served as a series, ala Buffy. The story arc is so rich, and character development can go so many ways, that i tend to think that serials might be the way to go. Not to mention it seems the team already putting this together has a hand on what they want, and could easily adapt a script for each chapter, or several at once to prolong this.
Honestly, if you could find a series of low end backers, i think many would buy your product at this lvl of production, were it a series that covered the book.
One thing that makes me giggle a bit, however, and I am sure that the production team has thought on it as well, is that Drizzt is portrayed in black face. That is something that is well done in the fantasy setting and is genuine to the novel, but could also be construed as racist, since it has such negative historical connotations. I am not inciting, nor do I think in this context it is, but i can see how media might pick that up, and that could be gnarly for all involved.
course, Snipes might be pricey :P
all around win, these folks are building the dream, and looking fine doing it, cookies for them! All round! Punch too!
Course, I'm still not sure why this thread is even in the General Discussion's board, looks more like a OTT too me, and probably get better results there too.
I still say that a CG movie would be the best way to go. Live action is both highly overrated and impractical for fantasy stories, but CG would also open up the door to the more fantastical elements of the Drizz't world.
Course, I'm still not sure why this thread is even in the General Discussion's board, looks more like a OTT too me, and probably get better results there too.
Impractical? This is CINEMA!
Sure, 300 had a lot of computer work done, but still had actors in it. And what about Lord of the Rings? The point is if you have a good director, good crew and a good cast you can get away with a lot. Star Wars is fantasy, and it works. Oh you may think it is sci-fi, but it's not. It's fantasy. We got swords, wizards (Obi-Wan is actually called such) so fantasy can be done. Problem is that most stories adapted have been dumbed down or written down to accommodate the technology of the time.
But, even then, Star Wars, 300 and LotR (especially that last one) is nothing like the extreme fantasy settings of FR. I'm sure if you were talented enough you could try and pull off a Live Action Drizz't movie, but it would look (I think) ridiculous, just given the sheer amount of prosthetic that would be required on top of everything, to say nothing of all the magical elements. Still, I'm no hater. Show me a LA Drizz't movie that doesn't look ridiculous and works, and you'll have my money for the movie ticket.
Until then, I'd rather put my money on a CG version.
As for dual-wielding rangers, he wasn't the first, but possibly the second. As to the original, just ask yourself, "who was that masked man?".
New Drizzt Featurette is now up on YouTube: The Case For Drizzt On Film.
This installment discusses the story of Drizzt and why it would translate well into a feature film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCxTkmOflo
New blog entries have been posted:
http://www.myspace.com/ruben_films
We've also uploaded a Wallpaper on Deviant Art:
http://legendofdrizzt.deviantart.com/art/Drizzt-Wallpaper1-1680x1050-115793710
Enjoy!
I think the Live Action entry in youtube with drizzt and entreri arguing while drizzt's friends fight (the 2 minute) one had really great acting and voice modulation by Drizzt. Very good job on this one, and Entreri was good too. This is not the entry linked in your post. The 'trailer' linked in your post was great too.
Am I the only one who feels like this is trailer is super cheesey like a hercules or xena type of show?
The cinematography in it's current form, even if the fighting looks like it is well rehearsed makes me cringe a little.
Please don't get me wrong, I can see the potential in a Drizzt movie, I just hope they get a real budget to make it look better and not like a C or D grade action movie.
Perhaps even a straight animated movie by pixar or a sin city'esque type theme would work better for the narrative?
Besides, the Salavatore books are popular, but the lore is a little esoteric for the general movie going populace. It will wind up being another "Watchmen."
Anyway, for my money the best dark elf character in fiction was Morley Dotes.
New Drizzt Featurette is now up on YouTube: The Case For Drizzt On Film.
This installment discusses the story of Drizzt and why it would translate well into a feature film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCxTkmOflo
Love this! I'd definitely love to see more!
Kip's performance makes this Drizzt fangirl melt.
But you're a tease, you know... showing us CattiBrie with no lines yet, and those riders of Nesme in the credits. More!
-Animation allows the artist free reign to make what he/she needs to make, be it elongated fingers, large noses, angular features, whatever.
This installment discusses the story of Drizzt and why it would translate well into a feature film.
I think it makes a fair case that Bob's characters could be adapted into a formulaic Hollywood movie according to current norms of action direction and editing, character 'arcs', protagonist types and so on.
Plenty of Hollywood people are aware of the idea of a Drizzt film, and already Realms=Drizzt for far too many of them. Though does that video mention the Realms at all?
. As to the statements about Drizzt being unoriginal well that's true and not true. I'm sure the type of character/personality has been done before however he was the first drow to do it on Toril which makes him original. At the the time Forgotten Realms was made public(1987,yes I know Ed created it in 1967) there was only one novel"Darkwalker on Moonshae" released. Then came RAS "The Crystal Shard" which introduced Drizzt to the Forgotten realms players. I'm pretty sure I'm right about the dates above. But feel free to correct if my facts are skewed.
They missed their window for something like this, which would have been at the height of the NWN game, and Drizzt's popularity.
With FR's plummeting fanbase, this wouldn't be worth doing now.
Just my opinion, and I hope I'm wrong.
I think their best bet at this point is to do a Drizzt game, based on his adventures, and include LOTS of (good) animated cut-scenes. Ergo, as you 'unlock' the cut-scenes, you can play them in order, and get something like an animated movie that way (Blizzard has used this tactic, to GREAT effect - their cut-scenes are worth the price of admission by themselves).
At this point, that would be the best way for them to go, to re-generate interst in Drizzt and the setting
Honestly, I don't think you need to make a case for Drizzt on film--they are solid stories that have a lot of fans, so to me that's as good a case as any for these novels to have a film made about them.Strong (though perhaps problematic) is the whole drow iconography (down mainly to Gary Gygax, of course); weak is that the first trilogy is so heavily Lord of the Rings-derived.
A good point.
As far as what I was saying about a screenplay. Write a stellar script and then let people's imagination do the work for you. The reader (person doing the coverage for a studio), or producer, reading this script will see everything in their head and either sell themselves on the idea or not. If they do, they'll kick it up the ladder. And, if somebody wanted to greenlight it after a few more rungs, they'd hire all the necessary people to make that script come to life.
But, looking at what appears to be a very low budget, amateur film it's going to put any Hollywood types off. You've laid everything out for them and they're only going to be able to see what you've put in front of them. Their imaginations won't be able to move out of this box you've already set up. I know that sounds implausible. How can somebody not see this, right? Trust me on this one. Then again, there are producers who would be able to envision it from this, but that's rare.
Again, I applaud you guys' work on this. Not sure how may days you shot but I assume you shot at least 6-8 hours a day for each day you did shoot, maybe even 10 taking the stunts and fights into account. Also, let me be clear. I'm not discounting the creativity and/or vision of the writers, director, and any other members of the creative team on this.
If it were me, I'd most likely start fresh. FR still has a decent fanbase and there are those who will come back if it were the right film. The Drizzt stories are great stories and I've mostly enjoyed the ones I read. But, trying to introduce your audience to a character with such a complex history as well as trying to introduce them to a setting, that likewise has a complex history, is asking them to digest too much at once in one film.
as far as student movies are conserned, it was alright but i would be a liar if i didn't say it made me cringe. no i can't do better, and im not belitting the wonderful effort they accomplished with limited budget.
i also want to bring up the idea of them starting with a brand new story of drizzt so the solid fanbase can't pick apart what they don't know to pick apart.
if they start from the dark elf trilogy there isn't enough of a human element to gather intrerst in other movie goers who might stop in to see it. they have to have some sort of empathic connection. which is why the dark crystal failed in the time it was released, as i recalled this film which was all puppets at the time did very poorly then turned to a sleeper hit to cult classic, but this proves my point.
if they start from the crystal shard, the story is way too close a lord of the rings to get any clout of its own.
producers want immediate gratification in what they make.
so whatever attempt to make a drizzt movie would be of great joy and angst because fanboys are the most fickle and the worst friends to a book-to-movie franchise, ask the collaborators of watchmen. ( the comic isn't as epic as people like to think of it, so much as an innovator, bringing blue genetalia to the comic reading masses. alan moore is a hack)
-Should there ever be a Drizzt movie, in some shape or fashion, it would need to be plain old animation. The Devil's Due comics, but in motion, with voices. The OP made very nice fan movies, but ultimately, you can't translate everything D&Dish into live action. Drizzt is a Drow, and Drow are Elves- Elves have features that don't translate 100% when live animation is used. Same thing with Dwarves (short, squat and thick, though the Lord of the Rings movies captured very well what I'd imagine Dwarves to be), Halflings (short, squat, rotund, though the Lord of the Rings movies captured very well what I'd imagine Halflings to be), Gnomes (short, bodily proportions not matching that of Humans'), and other races.
-Animation allows the artist free reign to make what he/she needs to make, be it elongated fingers, large noses, angular features, whatever.
????????????
While I am not a big R.A. Salvatore fan Drizzt would make a good movie. You can do anything with a feature film these days...as you stated with LofTR. If you can cut out the emotional whinny part of Drizzt you could have a good movie.
????????????
While I am not a big R.A. Salvatore fan Drizzt would make a good movie. You can do anything with a feature film these days...as you stated with LofTR. If you can cut out the emotional whinny part of Drizzt you could have a good movie.
-A guy in blackface, for a lack of better terms, does not a Drow make. Take, for example, what the OP provided. While it is all very nice, and as I have said before, better than anything I can do, had I the inclination to make a fan-made Drizzt movie, that does not capture many of the subtleties of what Drow are like, for the same reason that casting Humans for other Elven roles does not- bone structure, facial structure, things of that nature.
Edit - What was I thinking? A good makeup artist can do this as well.
I probably wouldn't go to see ANY live-action movie based on D&D.
I woud most-likely go to see an animated feature, even if it was about Drizzt (but it would have to be from that first trilogy - NOT the one they now claim was first).
I would NOT go to see live-action Drizzt movie.
I would, out of curiosity if nothing else.
I would, out of curiosity if nothing else.
-I guess I'd be going, then. I'll be honest, a Drizzt live-action movie just doesn't look good, no matter how Hollywood budget it gets.
It's sad to say but it's better than most of SciFi channel's cinematic atrocity of the week. It's on par with the official D&D movies in terms of acting and effects. Considering this fan project had a fraction of the funding and resources for those official films, that says a lot about their talent and drive and the lack thereof for the people in charge of the official DnD movies.
I would NOT go to see live-action Drizzt movie.
I would! Count me as a Drizzt fangirl or whatever, I'd definitely go. :D
I probably wouldn't go to see ANY live-action movie based on D&D.
Again, I would. :D At the very least, it couldn't possibly be worse than some "art" films and independent films that I've been to, but I generally like seeing all sorts of films. Sometimes it's the effort, not the technical precision, that matters to me most.
I would most-likely go to see an animated feature, even if it was about Drizzt (but it would have to be from that first trilogy - NOT the one they now claim was first).
Oh heck, I would do this too. :D As Rino said, for curiosity if nothing else. :D
Oh less complaining and more just stating an opinion I feel for the character as a whole.
The "dual-wielding scimitar Drow Ranger" bit wasn't something I was actively thinking of when I typed up my reply. That aspect of the character, while certainly different for a Drow/Ranger, the idea of dual-wielding two swords or two different weapons wasn't new in '88 no more then it was a hundred years ago in fantasy stories. For D&D and Ranger's certainly, and while Drizzt may have influenced the future of Ranger builds, I'm not going to give him full credit for the idea itself.
Man, I must be the only Drizzt fanboi who likes to talk about the flaws and cliches of the actual concept of the character, rather then talk about the "good parts". Or I could just be one of them youngin's who was born after the books and is just so jaded that Drizzt has no impact on anything I do no matter what angle I look at him.
Or maybe not... :P
I never thought of Drizzt as 'emo' or 'emotional' and 'tragic', I thought of him as a serious moral phillosopher with a difficult life. Drizzt really was rather unique at one point, and the dual wielding thing is a drow special ability, most drow weaponmasters in the underdark dual wield as well. Drizzt is a Menzoberranzan-trained weapons specialist, regardless of his feelings towards the city. I don't think scimitars were cliched before he used them.
Relatively soon the Drizzt novels will become obsolete and will end, due to the increasing amounts of dark elves and orcs who are showing more complex morals. Drizzt was a pioneer but eventually he will not be needed anymore... he will have to make way for new heroes. But until then I still cherish the books.
I never thought of Drizzt as 'emo' or 'emotional' and 'tragic', I thought of him as a serious moral phillosopher with a difficult life.
-That's how I always saw the character, until it dawned on me that, looking at him as a whole, there's really no reason for him to be so philosophic. He's not that smart, we know of no education in philosophy/psychology, etc. That, I think, is the difference between a "real philosopher", and an "emo".
Just my two cents.
-That's how I always saw the character, until it dawned on me that, looking at him as a whole, there's really no reason for him to be so philosophic. He's not that smart, we know of no education in philosophy/psychology, etc. That, I think, is the difference between a "real philosopher", and an "emo".
But one could concieve that all those books containing lore that he was reading at Mooshie's abode might have contained some philosophy or a copy of someones's journal which details experiences similar to his own. Plus he was also educated in the ways of Mielekki(?) By Mooshie as well. And all gods have their own philosophies. One final thing, you don't have to be "educated" to understand who you are ;)
If they do decide to put a movie out about him and his story, I hope they make it animated using the type of animation seen in say "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" featured on the Cartoon Network.
-Oh, no. G-d no. I stopped liking Star Wars because of that*.
*It's one of many reasons.
But one could concieve that all those books containing lore that he was reading at Mooshie's abode might have contained some philosophy or a copy of someones's journal which details experiences similar to his own. Plus he was also educated in the ways of Mielekki(?) By Mooshie as well. And all gods have their own philosophies. One final thing, you don't have to be "educated" to understand who you are ;)
-His character stats don't reflect that. :P
-But, no, in not being educated to understand who he is/what his life is like, and so on, that is the difference between "emo" and actually understanding things, like philosophy, and morality, and so on. A person who feels they are in a rut, and that their life sucks, and all of that stuff, like the stereotypical "emo" kid, that's Drizzt. Drizzt has a great life. He regularly dines and cavorts with royalty. Money is no thing (though he does not have many wants). When/if he decided to "hang up his swords", he'd have no problem living out a prosperous, successful, peaceful life- reminiscent of the "emo" kids who begrudge their lives, where their fathers make enough money to allow their mothers to be stay-at-home moms, where they can buy name brand "emo" clothing, and so on and so on and so on.
Sorry LK, I nevr saw Drizzt as that type of Emo (I.e one who has a decent life but is still complaining about life as if it is always hard) but rather the type of emo who uses emotion when describing his life experiences. So you are right about when it comes down to Drizzt not being a true philosopher/moralizer/physcologist because they more often than not have an emotional detachment when it comes to their subject. [/INDENT]-It is true, though. He does have a decent life. There's hundreds of thousands of others who can only hope for a life as good as his is/was.
Sorry, just needed to vent some steam. I would love a Drizzt movie. With the modern CGI it could be so awesome but it woulf entirely rely on a good casting.
-Oh, no. G-d no. I stopped liking Star Wars because of that*.
not to go off topic too much, but I must admit I like the new CGI series
-Oh, no. G-d no. I stopped liking Star Wars because of that*.
*It's one of many reasons.
Well, not exactly like Star Wars. I'll admit that show does look a bit too "cartoon-ish" but it's a good indicator none the less that CGI has come a long, long way from what we've seen in the past.
Perhaps I say make it CGI because I feel they won't capture the essence of the characters with actual actors. It would be one of those movies that would permanently label an actor (Orlando ring any bells??) into that role forever.
And if they do decide to make a CGI movie about Drizzt and Co. I pray they don't use the same company who did the Dragonlance film. [/rant]That was so dreadfully horrid I fast forwarded most of it and turned it off three-quarters of the way though. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me sick.
not to go off topic too much, but I must admit I like the new CGI series
So do I :D
Funny thing is I am a Drizzt fanboi. I suppose the only difference between me and the other 15 qaudzillion is that I know Drizzt is neither unique nor original. Oh, for a Dungeons and Dragons character he was unique and original for his time, I'll give you that. But outside of that?
rant
The "badass loner with a dark past, going against the established tenets of his inherently evil race, while exploring his inner being on a journey of self sacrifice, learning to accept and be accept along the way, all while battling the inner demon of his race and mind" is something not new. Not in '88 and especially not now with our Riddick's and such.
I guess I never just put Drizzt up on a pedestal like so many other people did. I like the Drizzt character and all, but certainly not for his "originality".
/rant
Drizzt's idea was one of the corniest, but simplest...a badass loner with a dark past that wants to go against it...so nobody ever used it, or very few people used it. In other words, it was ORIGINAL.
How about this, name some guys who have a similar character to Drizzt in the Realms, that was released before Icewind Dale.
And IcewindDale was cool!! Perhaps one of the coolest books I've ever read, the only thing that disturbed me was the Balor going down with one measly hit...WTF!! That was just wrong!! I recalled reading Netheril book 1, where Sunbright (barbarian who came face to face against a lich, a red dragon, some wraiths, a worm etc.), Greenwillow (ordinary elf girl), Candlemas and Sysquemalyn (2 great nether arcanists) fought a "pit lord", a ******* PITLORD!! Whose powers were inferior to the BALOR even!! And they had a really hard time even at that!!
Drizzt taking out a Balor in one hit is just wrong!!
1. Errtu underestimated Drizzt.
2. Drizzt had a weapon specifically designed to battle such creatures like Errtu
3. Drizzt surprised Errtu with the first hit with Icingdeath behind his knee joint
4. The area of battle was small. Thus providing little manuvering room for a creature the size of Errtu.
5. Drizzt was thrown from his weapon a second after the final strike to Errtu's belly removing him from Errtu's striking range.
6. The scimitar drew upon Errtu's prime material plane lifeforce thus making him weaker by the second.
You put all those factors listed above and you have a plausible scenerio in which Drizzt seems to defeat a Balor so easily. But looks can often be deceptive;)(quote from Burn after Readin). It was more the underestimating and weapon that caused the defeat of Errtu.
The second battle proved much much harder and required All of the companions defeating Errtuu.
It wasn't so much Drizzt taking Errtu out with one shot as it was the weapon itself. It was forged to fight creatures of Errtu's nature and as a Fire Bane. Hence the fact that Errtu had never encountered "A weapon with such a sting". Plus it was more than a single hit. Let's go over the details:
1. Errtu underestimated Drizzt.
2. Drizzt had a weapon specifically designed to battle such creatures like Errtu
3. Drizzt surprised Errtu with the first hit with Icingdeath behind his knee joint
4. The area of battle was small. Thus providing little manuvering room for a creature the size of Errtu.
5. Drizzt was thrown from his weapon a second after the final strike to Errtu's belly removing him from Errtu's striking range.
6. The scimitar drew upon Errtu's prime material plane lifeforce thus making him weaker by the second.
You put all those factors listed above and you have a plausible scenerio in which Drizzt seems to defeat a Balor so easily. But looks can often be deceptive;)(quote from Burn after Readin). It was more the underestimating and weapon that caused the defeat of Errtu.
The second battle proved much much harder and required All of the companions defeating Errtuu.
Hmmm...the second battle confused me a bit. Are Balor's weaker on the mortal planes?
BTW: Drizzt loosing against Obould..now there's a realistic scenario for you.
Of course Drizzt lost to a "God-blessed" creature with Lolth blessed armor. Come on Drizzty isn't uber powerful now
. And what happened after Obould lost his armor. A stalemate.
1. Errtu underestimated Drizzt.
2. Drizzt had a weapon specifically designed to battle such creatures like Errtu
3. Drizzt surprised Errtu with the first hit with Icingdeath behind his knee joint
4. The area of battle was small. Thus providing little manuvering room for a creature the size of Errtu.
5. Drizzt was thrown from his weapon a second after the final strike to Errtu's belly removing him from Errtu's striking range.
6. The scimitar drew upon Errtu's prime material plane lifeforce thus making him weaker by the second.
Let us not forget that Guen savaged one of Errtu's arms.
With a 1000 individual Orcs against him of course Drizzt would lose if he was foolish enough to fight them head on 
. While Drizzt is many things(even some negative ones) I'm positive no one here would consider him a fool when it comes to battle....in other areas
maybe but definately not in battle. And he's accomplished all his feats without being a chosen, God-blessed, shade enhanced etc... probably still one of the most powerful non enchanced NPC's (other than magical items acquired through his adventures, which any normal PC can acquire on there adventures(I know. Because I had acquired a few before I was forcibly retired from playing) ). 
Sorry for the Drizzt rant
Also not trying to start an "X vs Y" debate here. ;)