‘A Minecraft Movie’ Review: Jason Momoa and Jack Black Bro It Up in a Genially Weightless Video-Game Quest

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For years, I’ve been witnessing a period dominated by movies based on video games that were clunky, overly amplified, and devoid of nuance – from the initial attempt, “Super Mario Bros.” in 1993, to disappointments like “Mortal Kombat,” “BloodRayne,” “Max Payne,” (I apologize to the fans) the “Resident Evil” series, the grandiose liquid sludge of “Assassin’s Creed,” and even last year’s “Borderlands.” In a sense, this era didn’t truly end; it persists because transforming a video game into a poor movie remains a possibility. After all, video games are fundamentally different from movies. They offer characters, worlds, stories, action, fantasy, and spectacle, but they lack the emotional pulse that makes (good) films captivating.

In simpler words: I’ve noticed a trend of movies based on video games that were clunky and lacking in subtlety, from “Super Mario Bros.” in 1993 to recent flops like “Borderlands.” Although this era seems to have ended, it hasn’t really because turning a video game into a bad movie is still possible. Video games are not like movies; they lack the emotional depth that makes films compelling.

Over time, lessons have been effectively learned. Excessive attempts to appeal directly to audiences have been discarded. Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One,” while not derived from a video game, showcased visual magic that made you feel like a gamer. Two years ago, serving as a counterpoint to a genre that started off poorly, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was a delightful blend of mutating, eye-catching fun – a superb video-game movie that also served as a well-structured children’s fairy tale. It proved that animation was likely the best approach for bringing video games to life on screen. It achieved the perfect balance of visual appeal and emotional impact. And it established a new standard.

In comparison, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ falls short when stacked against ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’ It doesn’t even come close to ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,’ a film with a rich 50-year history in the gaming world, often referred to as the physical counterpart of video game movies. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is essentially a lighthearted, spirited adventure comedy that transports a group of actors into the Overworld, the heart of the Minecraft universe, via a portal reminiscent of 80s aesthetics and made of luminous blue goo. The film has a nostalgic, cheesy flavor despite being released in 2011.

Initially, we notice the dedication displayed by the actors to portray a carefree, chaotic journey effortlessly. Regarding Jack Black, opinions may vary, but one thing is certain – he never half-heartedly performs his role. At 55 years old, he sports a voluminous gray-white beard that mirrors his larger-than-life persona. Some might argue that his happy, dazed stoner delivery could seem outdated, yet he infuses it with such conviction – refusing to deliver lines in a straightforward manner even in “A Minecraft Movie” – that it significantly elevates the film.

He portrays Steve, a character who harbored dreams of becoming a miner and eventually found himself enamored with the Overworld, an extraordinary realm where anything you imagine can materialize, albeit in a cube-like form. This fantastical domain resembles a dreamy “Lord of the Rings” counterpart in an alternate universe, while retaining a geometric charm reminiscent of the world of Lego due to being constructed from voxels, Minecraft’s term for…building blocks.

In this fictional world called Overworld, there are snow-capped mountains made of blocks, bees resembling blocks that buzz around, pink creatures akin to sheep constructed from blocks, shrubs and trees shaped like blocks, flower-like structures built with blocks, duck-like entities fashioned from blocks, a wolf, skeleton archer warriors, and an army of baby Frankenstein zombies – all crafted out of blocks. In the dark realm beneath known as Nether, blockish pigs are present, sporting boar-like incisors and a style that seems to blend elements of a “Mad Max” biker gang with “The Dark Crystal.” These creatures serve under Malgosha, an evil queen resembling a pig, who is British in origin. She has taken Steve captive and holds him in a dungeon within this underground world.

In everyday terms, Minecraft can be compared to an open-ended “playground game” similar to Roblox. Unlike traditional games that focus on achieving a clear victory, these sandbox games allow players a great deal of freedom for creativity and self-expression. The challenge in adapting Minecraft into a movie lies in crafting a narrative with which viewers can emotionally connect, as the essence of this world revolves around exploration and leisure rather than a traditional storyline driven by conflict or resolution.

The creators of “A Minecraft Movie” aimed to address this conundrum by tasking Jared Hess, famously recognized for his work on “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004), with directing the film. Known for his offbeat independent films and television work, Hess’s appointment as director of a blockbuster like Minecraft was reminiscent of the first episode of “The Studio,” where Nicholas Stoller, a director known for his hip sensibilities, was brought in to make a movie from Kool-Aid. Throughout the film, it feels as though the narrative is an addition to the world, and our emotional investment in it is minimal – it appears more like the movie’s attempt to construct something that “fits.” In its own way, this reflects the essence of Minecraft.

Nevertheless, Hess adds an endearing touch to “A Minecraft Movie.” He’s a friendly satirist from the camp who knows how to infuse a relaxed lack of seriousness with a casual certainty. “A Minecraft Movie” consistently pokes fun at itself, which makes it quite appealing.

Stepping into the shoes of a renowned actor, I found myself astounded by Jason Momoa‘s uncanny ability to embody the quirky, self-deprecating humor in “A Minecraft Movie.” He portrays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a former video game champion who now runs a struggling corner store called Game Over World. Filled with vintage gaming memorabilia and old video screens, this store is on the brink of collapse.

Garrett, though perhaps a relic or cliché, was surprisingly brought to life by Momoa. In a pink fringed jacket and long, heavy-metal hair, he masterfully embodied Garrett’s blissful ignorance, his narcissism shimmering with a thin thread of cool desperation. Despite sharing similarities in personality with another character, Steve, it was this contrast that made the movie resonate – the way they complemented and clashed like long-lost brotherly rivals.

The storyline involves a glowing blue artifact called the Orb of Dominance. This object is meant to be placed inside a box known as the Earth Crystal. By combining these two items, our characters can vanquish the demonic swine and return to Earth. At present, they have the Orb but need to travel to the Woodland Mansion to find the Crystal. Additionally, there’s a Crafting Table where you can assemble objects or metal parts using a hammer, transforming them into new items, typically weapons. While these sequences are entertaining, the movie could have delved deeper into the enchanting transformation process. It’s regrettable that Jared Hess, being more of a comedian than a tech-savvy visionary, didn’t explore the magical mutating aspects further.

In my perspective, I find myself captivated by two young individuals, Sebastian Hansen, or Henry as he’s known, and Emma Myers, who plays Natalie – an orphaned sibling duo, both prominent figures yet lacking in substantial character depth. There’s an unusual twist involving one of the peaceful, block-like vegetarian monks from the Overworld, a quiet fellow with a distinctive monobrow. This monk, after passing through a portal, lands on our earth and shares an unconventional outing with Vice Principal Marlene, portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge in her signature over-the-top diva style. Some parts of this are undeniably amusing, but it always seems that these events lack significance – much like the overall feel of “A Minecraft Movie.” However, it’s not a stretch to say that, in the spirit of a video game that reimagines life as a pixelated world, such insignificance might be quite fitting.

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2025-04-02 22:19