Imagine waking up early on a Saturday morning, hopping out of bed, and rushing to the TV in your living room to boot up Minecraft. You dive into a world of pure imagination, where anything is possible and creativity knows no bounds. That heartwarming, nostalgic feeling is relatable to millions around the world, so when a movie based on Minecraft was announced, many people hoped it would capture that same sense of wonder. Unfortunately, “A Minecraft Movie” proves that bottling up that magic into a feature-length film is much easier said than done, especially when the end result leans into comedy more than heart.
To put it plainly, “A Minecraft Movie” is exactly what it sounds like: a film set in the world of Minecraft. While it serves its purpose as a lighthearted cash grab, it falls short of capturing the deeper essence of what Minecraft means to its players.
Throughout the movie, there were some strange moments that felt wildly out of place for a film aimed at younger audiences. Most notably, there were awkward innuendos between Steve (Jack Black) and Garrett “the Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa) that left me more confused than entertained. It felt like the film didn’t know exactly who it was for—kids who love the game currently, or the people who played it growing up.
That said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t laugh out loud a few times. Some of the jokes were really funny, and there were definitely a few moments that felt like they were pulled straight from my own Minecraft experiences. Those little references, like only having one ender pearl and immediately wasting it, or having the first thing you build being a dirt hut, gave the film a touch of charm and relatability that fans will recognize and appreciate.
In the end, “A Minecraft Movie” might not be a faithful tribute to the game’s legacy, but it has its moments. It’s not exactly cinematic gold, but for fans of the game, it’s enough to give you a good laugh.
“A Minecraft Movie” is rated PG for violence/action, language, suggestive/rude humor, and some scary images. The movie is currently available on Apple TV and is showing at almost all movie theaters. It is expected to stay there until around mid-June.
