The main letdown in the movie “Minecraft,” helmed by directors Jared Hess known for “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre,” isn’t simply that it’s derived from an established IP. Given our current climate of lazy reboots, unwarranted remakes, and film projects serving as brand extensions, another instance of this trend is hardly unexpected. However, what truly disappoints about “Minecraft” is its inability to ignite the imagination, a fundamental aspect that the game it’s based on values deeply.
Minecraft, developed by Swedish creator Markus Persson in 2011, was designed to emphasize world-building. He drew inspiration from games that allowed players to shape their own digital landscapes and embark on self-directed adventures. The game’s design is minimalistic, with a pixelated appearance reminiscent of Legos, thanks to its simple color scheme. The player’s tasks are often accompanied by ambient music composed by German musician C418, who also worked on Minecraft’s sound design. Every aspect of the game encourages creative thinking and experimental play.
The movie based on Minecraft finds it challenging to preserve its identity as it isn’t certain about its own goals and target demographic. Penned by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, and Chris Galletta (from a story by Allison Schroeder, Bowman, and Palmer), the film oscillates between catering to the existing fanbase and attracting a broader audience.
The Minecraft movie grapples with its essence since it fails to define its own objectives and desired viewers. The script, co-written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, and Chris Galletta (from a story by Allison Schroeder, Bowman, and Palmer), vacillates between satisfying the current fanbase and drawing in a wider audience.
In other words, while the movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” successfully managed to achieve multiple goals two years ago, “A Minecraft Movie” seems to be having trouble striking a balance between these elements or finding the right tone. The humor and emotional moments often feel disjointed, and an excessive focus on innuendos detracts from character development and a compelling narrative. As a result, it’s challenging to enjoy the elaborate scenes or care about the eccentric characters at the center of the story.
The main characters are worthy of more as they’re the driving force behind this entire project, which is inspired by their creative energies. The Minecraft Movie starts with an introductory scene that swiftly introduces us to Steve (played by Jack Black) and his world. We discover that the sandbox game aided Steve in coping with the monotony of grown-up life by rekindling his creativity. It also brought him his best friend, a wolf he names Dennis after taming it.
In my enthusiastic journey, I sail through a world brimming with joy until I accidentally discover a nightmarish realm known as the Nether. This place is ruled by the malevolent and entertainingly wicked Malgosha, who despises happiness and creativity. She’s a Piglin queen who’s after nothing less than Steve’s universe, aiming to drain it of all resources.
But here’s where the twist comes in – our resourceful inventor manages to stash the orb of dominance in the human world, effectively thwarting Malgosha’s plans for cross-dimensional domination… for now!
Years after hanging up my gaming controller as a champion, I found myself owning a struggling arcade store. One day, I stumbled upon an abandoned storage unit at an auction, belonging to a craftsman named Steve. Intrigued by the possibility of finding something valuable among his possessions, I decided to buy it, hoping to save my business with the profits.
As I sifted through Steve’s belongings, I couldn’t help but feel there was something special hidden here. However, all I found was an unusual orb. Little did I know that this seemingly worthless object would soon change everything for me and my arcade store.
On the same day, Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and his older sister Natalie (Emma Myers) relocate to Steve’s old residence. We find them there as their realtor, Dawn (played by Danielle Brooks in a challenging position), is giving them a tour. She’s not only showing them around but also discussing her various part-time jobs, struggling to earn a decent living with just one job in today’s economy.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, Natalie and Henry relocated to the small, imaginary town of Chuglass, Idaho, following their late mother’s last wishes. There, Natalie secured employment as a social media manager for a potato chip factory, while Henry had to endure the embarrassing rituals that come with attending a new school.
Following a group of children and their art instructor, Hiram Garcia, ridiculing his creative ideas, Henry decides to restore his standing by constructing a jetpack using common household items. Unfortunately, the project backfires, causing damage to a potato chip factory. This leads him to Vice Principal Marlene’s office, where instead of addressing the incident, she shares her concerns about her recent divorce and finding love once more – topics humorously portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge in her role as the school administrator.
The scenario is densely populated and somewhat artificial, but it effectively advances the plot. Eventually, Henry encounters Garrett’s store and forms a swift friendship with him. They mutually agree to pursue the orb and wind up in an abandoned mine tunnel that opens into Steve’s universe. Not far behind are Natalie and Dawn, with the anxious older sister hot on the trail of her eccentric younger brother.
In the ’80s, I found myself an outsider in the human world due to my unique creativity. But when I stumbled upon the Minecraft universe, everything changed! With a knack for understanding how things function, I began to feel powerful within this digital realm. Exploring and unraveling its mysteries was both challenging and exhilarating.
For newcomers to Minecraft, such as myself, the film A Minecraft Movie shines when it highlights the game’s capabilities and emphasizes the importance of holding onto a sense of innocence in a grim setting. The visual aspects (designed by Grant Major) and special effects (overseen by Dan Lemmon) reinforce this theme visually. The depiction of Steve’s world, inhabited by Villagers during the day and terrorized by wild wolves and zombies at night, is smoothly and attractively portrayed.
In due course, this unconventional group encounters Steve personally, who had covertly struck a bargain with Malgosha to secure the orb in return for Dennis’ life. Although Steve is reluctant to cede his realm to what he terms as an uncaring capitalist figure, he also cannot bear to lose his cherished friend. The potential consequences of this transaction are significant given all that Steve stands to lose; however, A Minecraft Movie refrains from delving into the deeper implications.
Black’s acting is reminiscent of what made films like “School of Rock” enjoyable, and he even sings a few numbers. His energetic approach and bold physical comedy perfectly balance with Momoa’s portrayal of Garrett, a struggling former gaming champion who once shone brightly but now lives in the past.
The camaraderie between them, starting off as somewhat rivalrous yet eventually charming, becomes the focal point. However, despite being amusing, it also brings attention to how under-explored most other characters are. Hansen manages to grab a few scenes in the limelight, but unfortunately, both Myers and Brooks are barely used in their respective roles. Coolidge’s plot, featuring a Villager entering the real world, offers genuine laughs but is also rather shallow.
It’s become commonplace for us to set low standards for corporate intellectual property endeavors, so the lack of originality in a Minecraft movie might not bother many people, whether they are devoted Minecraft enthusiasts or casual crafting aficionados. However, it should. The decline of genuine creativity and innovative thought is evident as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent. Reflecting on my review of Barbie two years ago, I expressed concern about a future where our humanistic lessons originate from corporate toy manufacturers. Today, that sentiment seems more accurate than ever.
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2025-04-02 22:25