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If ever there were a truly critic-proof movie, “A Minecraft Movie” would be it. Much like many horror films — which tend to thrive at the box office regardless of critical reception — this one defied expectations by becoming one of the year’s highest-grossing hits, even as critics tore it apart. After seeing it for myself, I totally get the appeal. The film wasn’t made for critics — it was made for the kids and teens who spend hours immersed in the world of Minecraft. And for them, it hits the mark.
Having grown up in the ’90s, I can’t help but feel a little jealous of what kids get these days. Back then, we had to make do with video game adaptations that barely resembled the games they were based on. “Super Mario Bros.” looked more like an unofficial Blade Runner sequel, and “Street Fighter” had very little actual street fighting. These days, at least the movies look like the games — and that goes for “A Minecraft Movie”as well. It has a distinct visual style, so much so that any random screenshot is instantly recognizable as coming from this movie. And honestly, it’s a great-looking film: full of vibrant colors and energy.
I’ve never played Minecraft, so I can only assume — based on the audience reactions and massive ticket sales — that fans are getting exactly what they came for. And that’s fantastic. With theaters struggling thanks to the rise of streaming, it’s genuinely heartening to see kids showing up in droves, just out to have a good time with their friends. But for someone like me, in his 40s and with zero Minecraft experience, this one just wasn’t for me.
While the movie is one goofy ride, I had no connection to anything happening onscreen. I’m sure a Lavachicken is a big deal in the game — as are many of the items the main characters use — but none of it meant anything to me. The story is pretty basic: the main cast has to transport a McGuffin from point A to point B to get home, while being pursued by evil Piglins. It’s essentially a kid-friendly version of “The Lord of the Rings”.
Narrating our journey is Jack Black as Steve, who spends the entire film delivering exposition — sometimes even in song — right up through the final act. The whole movie is just the group traveling from one location to the next, with Black explaining every new setting like an in-game tutorial. “See that red stuff? That’s Redstone. Conducts energy.” Sure, that might work in a game, but by the third location, it started to wear thin. I don’t need a musical number explaining what a Lava Chicken is — the name kind of speaks for itself.
One thing “A Minecraft Movie” did manage to avoid was becoming the next target of right-wing outrage. When the first trailer and promo images dropped, critics on that side had a field day — mocking Jason Momoa’s pink outfit and blasting the casting of Danielle Brooks, a heavyset Black woman, as part of the central cast. They immediately labeled it another “woke Hollywood disaster.” But not only did that prediction fall flat, those very elements are now part of a massive box office success.
And to be honest, Jason Momoa ends up being the MVP here. In an era where it’s rumored that stars like Vin Diesel and The Rock have clauses in their contracts to prevent them from losing fights — with some even counting how many punches they take — seeing Momoa poke fun at himself and play the butt of the joke more than once is honestly refreshing.
The only element that feels somewhat out of place is the inclusion of Jennifer Coolidge as Vice Principal Marlene, who starts dating a Minecraft villager that somehow ends up on Earth. It’s a classic Coolidge subplot — quirky, offbeat, and clearly written more with adults in mind, given her signature brand of humor. That said, kids will likely still laugh at the odd old lady going on a date with a blocky villager, even if the more adult-oriented jokes go right over their heads.
Depending on who you ask, “A Minecraft Movie” is either the best or worst movie of the year. It’s not a great film by traditional standards, but it’s perfectly tailored to its target audience — and at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.
