Jack Black and Jason Momoa Make A Minecraft Movie a Comic Delight

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As I found myself deeply engrossed in “A Minecraft Movie“, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, thinking that it was delightful to see Jack Black back on the big screen. But then I realized my mistake; Jack Black hasn’t exactly been out of sight lately. In fact, he graced our screens last year with the megahit “Kung Fu Panda 4” and the megaflop “Borderlands”, and the year before that, he was part of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”, which raked in over a billion dollars. Admittedly, these were voice roles, but amidst all that, he also appeared in the live-action comedy “Dear Santa”. I didn’t catch it myself, but I heard it wasn’t exactly a hit, earning him a Razzie nomination. (Who knows, maybe it was a hidden gem!)

A film titled “A Minecraft Movie” showcases Black’s charisma in a manner that surpasses even some of his larger animated projects. In this production, he portrays Steve, a man who spent his youth dreaming about mining. When given the opportunity later in life, he unearths two enigmatic artifacts – “this gadget,” and “that gizmo” – which transport him to another realm where he can construct structures by simply waving his hand. Here, he builds his own self-contained utopia comprised of block-like objects. However, this idyllic world is now under threat from Malgosha (played by Rachel House), the ruler of the Nether, a dark dimension bereft of happiness and imagination.

In a simpler and more natural way, you could say: The game’s straightforward idea transforms into the movie’s ridiculous plot, and Black is perfect for promoting it. He’s the type of person who can shout lines like, “Don’t be fooled, Gar Gar, that baby’s got the soul of a demon!” or “First we dig, then we build! Let’s minecraft” with such passion that he manages to make them sound both genuinely heartfelt and laughably ironic. As his excitement grows, so does the absurdity. His energetic personality has an oddly powerful effect as well. He attacks each line, each movement, each action like it’s the most significant event in human history ever. He is the bard of overreaction in mainstream cinema.

The unique appeal of “A Minecraft Movie” is found in its ability to merge Black’s eccentric energy with that of his fellow actors, notably Jason Momoa as a faded gamer and ’80s holdover, still relying on his past arcade victories. Momoa’s Garrett “the Garbage Man” Garrison offers an endearing contrast to Steve. His brash masculinity falls short compared to Steve’s unwavering, cosmic self-assurance. Despite his bombastic demeanor, Garrett secretly acknowledges his pitiful state, as he faces eviction from a rundown video game store in the dying town of Chuglass, Idaho. After befriending a tech-obsessed young stranger named Henry (Sebastian Hansen), Garrett is drawn into the world of Minecraft, where they stumble upon mines together. In hot pursuit are Henry’s older sister, Natalie (Emma Myers), and Dawn (Danielle Brooks), a local realtor who also operates a traveling zoo from her car. Before long, they’re all awestruck by, and fleeing from, rectangular shrub zombies and mocking piglin warriors while learning how to construct massive cubic structures.

This movie is quite silly, which is perfectly fitting for it. The film titled “A Minecraft Movie” was directed by Jared Hess, who gained fame with his indie hit “Napoleon Dynamite” over two decades ago and later made the luchador comedy “Nacho Libre“, also starring Jack Black. Since then, Hess has continued to make movies, though none have quite matched the brilliance of his earlier works, leading some to incorrectly compare him to Wes Anderson. However, he possesses just the right touch for this film, as he knows how to add a touch of sweetness to its lack of seriousness.

The task appears more challenging than initially perceived. Proposing to create a somber, intense, and grand adaptation of Minecraft would be downright mad, although I suspect someone may have proposed such an idea at some point. Likewise, transforming the entire project into a complete jest seems equally irrational, given the devotion of its fanbase, and the stakes involve multiple global corporations. Instead, Hess & Co., with likely several other screenwriters contributing as well, chose a humorous yet respectful approach that mirrors the game’s own spirit. Remarkably, the final film manages to be both amusing and energetic while maintaining a nimble pace.

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2025-04-04 21:54