A Minecraft Movie Review: Jack Black Stars in Terrible Movie

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How can we transform a sandbox video game like Minecraft that lacks a storyline into a movie? This is a question Hollywood seems to have struggled with, as evident in the film adaptation of Minecraft. Just like the game itself, the movie is boisterous, flashy, and simplistic, and it acknowledges its own shallowness. While it may be a vibrant, action-packed extravaganza for young children and dedicated fans of Minecraft, those seeking a thoughtfully constructed tale will likely come away disappointed as they search for any depth or substance.

The film starts off with a continuous flood of information about Minecraft, presented enthusiastically by Jack Black’s character Steve. With an intensity reminiscent of constant energy drink consumption, Black delivers his lines in an over-the-top manner. I appreciate his performance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but I find his roles in both this movie and last year’s Borderlands film to be more grating as a video game character than ever before. His hyperactive, excessively cheerful portrayal sets the stage for a movie that aims to be humorous but instead feels overwhelmingly tiring.

The story swiftly presents us with four unlucky individuals who find themselves trapped in a pixelated hellscape. Characters like Jason Momoa’s Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, Emma Myers’ Natalie, Sebastian Hansen’s Henry, and Danielle Brooks’ Dawn make up an ordinary group of misfits, each grappling with their own everyday problems. But their lives are turned upside down when they’re suddenly transported to the Overworld, a faithful yet lifeless representation of Minecraft’s blocky terrain. Their mission? To endure this alien world, adapt to its rules, and eventually make it back home. As they journey through, they encounter piglins, zombies, and an enigmatic evil force, all while being led by Steve, who seems to prefer shouting over helping.

The main issue with the Minecraft Movie lies in its lack of humor. It tries hard to be funny, yet it falls flat more often than not. The characters shout, exaggerate their actions, and bombard the audience with jokes, but most of them fail to generate laughter like a dropped anvil. Momoa and Black seem to enjoy themselves immensely, though this enjoyment doesn’t seem to benefit the movie. Instead, their performances appear as if they are entertaining themselves rather than the viewers. Black’s delivery, in particular, is infused with an excessive wink-and-nod vibe that quickly becomes irritating.

Jennifer Coolidge’s character, Vice Principal Marlene, has a secondary plotline in the story. Her iconic voice and humorous dialogue often leave adults giggling more than kids, but unfortunately, her part doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall narrative. It seems like they included her because she was available, as her subplot would not have been as entertaining if it were someone else in that role. On the other hand, Rachel House voices Malgosha, a character whose wicked presence is quite forgettable and could almost be non-existent. She has one amusing moment towards the end, but overall, she lacks depth and impact on the storyline.

In essence, a Minecraft Movie appears to be both technically impressive and aesthetically disappointing. It effectively captures the game’s universe with an extraordinary level of precision, accurately portraying its blocky landscapes, distinctive creatures, and crafting elements in live-action. However, it lacks authenticity as the actors seem to be set against artificial backdrops, which makes the action sequences feel lacking in depth and disconnected. There’s a noticeable absence of real peril, immersion, or engagement—only people seemingly running around on a film set. The cinematography further contributes to this feeling, as everything appears overly bright and flat, resembling a moderately budgeted production for streaming platforms rather than a big-screen blockbuster.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must admit that I was expecting more depth from “A Minecraft Movie.” In this flick, the misfit gang is supposed to be the soul of the story, but it feels like they’re merely going through the motions. I can’t help but miss Jason Momoa’s passionate acting days, as he truly shines in films such as Dune and Sweet Girl. However, his performances in Fast X and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom seem more focused on fun than delivering a strong performance. It seems this role is more about enjoying himself than providing quality work.

Natalie and Henry’s relationship was supposed to be the beating heart of the movie, but it falls flat, lacking any real emotional resonance. Given that Danielle Brooks has just received an Oscar nomination for her role in The Color Purple, it’s a shame to see such a talented actress underutilized here.

From a devoted fan’s perspective, this Minecraft movie seems to take a half-hearted stab at portraying character growth, but by the time the final credits appear, it’s tough to discern if they truly learned anything or made any significant changes. In essence, a Minecraft Movie is precisely what you’d anticipate from a production that was born solely out of cashing in on the fame of a video game. It’s boisterous, annoying, and overly whimsical. It might amuse younger viewers who are thrilled to witness Minecraft characters spring to life, but for anyone yearning for an authentic, enjoyable journey, it’s a monotonous and wearying experience. The humor falls flat, the action lacks substance, and the characters are so poorly defined that you may forget their names halfway through.

Instead of being high-quality films, video game adaptations should aim to be engaging and thoughtful. This movie resembles those amusing fake trailers shown before real movies. A film based on Minecraft is cinematically akin to digging straight down without any reward, resulting in annoyance instead of enjoyment. If you’re an adult seeking entertainment, I suggest sticking with the game itself for a more enjoyable experience.

SCORE: 3/10

According to the ComingSoon review guidelines, a score of 3 means “Bad.” This media, unfortunately, is burdened with numerous problems that make it a struggle to enjoy.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our A Minecraft Movie review.

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2025-04-02 22:12