A Minecraft Movie is an adventure-comedy movie based on the popular game of the same name. The movie stars Jack Black, Jason Mamoa, and also features several others, such as Jennifer Coolidge, Danielle Brooks, and Emma Myers. The movie follows an oddball ensemble as they forage their way through the Overworld, inhabited by Steve (Jack Black), in order to find an earth crystal and return to their normal world.
The movie’s humor is unsophisticated and slapstick, and that’s what makes the movie so hilarious. There’s no posturing or pretending that the movie is meant to be taken seriously, just Jack Black and Jason Mamoa playing ridiculous characters and stomping around the Overworld for 90 minutes. In the same vein, Black’s and Mamoa’s comedy are a highlight of the film; they both take their simple characters and elevate them to a new level through their physical and highly comedic performances. Another bright spot of the film was the lighting and costumes. The lighting was ethereal, which surprisingly fit in such an absurd setting. The costumes fit each character’s persona perfectly while fitting the ’80s vibe the movie leaned into. However, the film’s carefree attitude leads to some weaker aspects.
The plot of the movie is unsteady at best and sloppy at worst. It seems as if the excitement of making a movie based on such a beloved game meant the quality of the script and plot was left behind. The film seemingly wanted to add emotional moments to the film seemingly to make the film appear less superficial; however, these moments came off fake and not well thought out. It would have been better if those moments were entirely dismissed instead of putting in a half-hearted effort. Nevertheless, many people are still excited about the film. Sophomore Hannah Ruiz she says, “Yes, I would see the Minecraft movie because the game itself has always been a really big part of my life, so seeing something that resonates with me so much would be super exciting. I can’t wait to see how they made my whole childhood into a movie.”
A Minecraft Movie is a fun-filled adventure-comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Unfortunately, this leads to some weak parts in the film. However, I would still recommend this movie to anyone, even if they aren’t a fan of the game. Everyone should block out some time to see A Minecraft Movie!
