When the first trailer for “A Minecraft Movie” was released in November of last year, it would be an understatement to say that many were expecting disappointment. “Minecraft” is among the highest selling games of all time — second only to “Tetris” — and an undeniable cultural icon, so the game’s massive player base was quick to make its voice heard regarding the flaws of the then-upcoming film. From the star-studded cast of actors making the film seem like a corporate cash grab to the weirdly realistic stylization of the special effects, the film was poised to be a failure in the eyes of the community.
In spite of this, the movie was met by mass box office success, earning over $163 million in its opening box office weekend alone. Although critics continue to show disdain for the film, it has been an overall success with the game’s fanbase, and for good reason. “A Minecraft Movie” may have a basic script, but its strengths lie in the countless heartfelt callbacks and references designed for viewers who grew up playing the game.
From subtle yet impactful moments like the various YouTube creator cameos to countless iconic name drops of features from the game like Jack Black’s now-iconic “Chicken Jockey” line, the film was brimming with references that both die-hard fans or casual players of the game couldn’t help but smile at. This is at the core of what makes “A Minecraft Movie” so special: it may be far from a cinematic masterpiece, but it is simply fun to watch.
The main storyline was lackluster, focusing on themes of creativity that were underdeveloped and only explored on a surface level, but the film beyond makes up for this with its spectacle and comedic aspects. Black’s performance as Steve was unique and full of little moments that showcased his clear passion for “Minecraft” as an avid player himself.
In the game, Steve is a rather blank-slate character, but Black takes this and turns it from a hindrance into a strength by sharing his own interpretations of who Steve could really be. What we got in the film was a representation of a disillusioned, creative spirit who grew tired of being trapped in the suffocating culture of his nine-to-five job and embarked on a journey to discover what makes him truly happy, and this is a portrayal of Steve that is exceedingly relevant to the demanding and often draining nature of modern society.
Despite this harsh truth being touched upon, the character of Steve still keeps his light-hearted energy thanks to every aspect of Black’s excellent performance, including the brief yet hilarious musical numbers he incorporated into the film like “Ode to Dennis” and “Steve’s Lava Chicken.” This energy spreads throughout every character in the film, and it is most notable in Jason Momoa’s performance as washed-up ‘80s gamer Garrett Garrison.
Garrison’s dynamic with Steve is one of the highlights of the film, with the two developing from a competitive rivalry to the funniest film bro-mance of the past year. Momoa’s performance as Garrison is on par with Black’s and arguably the best in the film, with his dedication to the seriousness of the character only adding to the comical genius of this film.
However, despite all these outstanding comedic performances, one facet stood tall above the rest as by far the most hysterical aspect of this movie: the romance subplot between a villager from the overworld and Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Vice Principal Marlene.
In “Minecraft,” villagers are characters who trade with the player and are known for their abnormally large foreheads and noses, as well as their inability to communicate beyond “Hmm” sounds. The film’s dedication to maintaining the out-of-place vibe of a villager somehow being in the real world only enhanced the hilarity of Marlene falling in love with him. And yet, the romance still felt tangible thanks to the villager’s facial expressions of clear interest in her various flirts and anecdotes about her recent divorce. Coolidge’s performance had entire cinemas roaring with laughter, and this audience engagement is the film’s biggest strength.
All across the nation, and even across the globe, cinemas playing “A Minecraft Movie” have had audiences laughing, singing along and even giving standing ovations for the film’s best moments. The energetic sense of unity that has grown to surround the cultural ritual of going to a movie theater to watch the film is half the fun, and the experience of seeing it with an audience is something fans will not want to miss out on.
What critics have failed to account for is that the movie was not designed to be considered in isolation of the game’s community, but rather alongside it. The magic of getting to deepen a bond with strangers and friends alike over a game that nearly everyone in a room has grown up with is what this film was made to bring out, so of course it doesn’t work well without that.
Yes, “A Minecraft Movie” is objectively a weak story, and the visual style of the film is undoubtedly strange. Yet, despite these flaws — or perhaps because of them — it is an excellent live-action comedy similar to “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Barbie” or “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and an even greater experience made by fans of the game, for fans of the game.
