Let’s get one thing straight. I loved “A Minecraft Movie.” Maybe it wasn’t the flawless cinematic movie some were expecting, but it was hilarious, heartfelt and packed with just enough craziness to keep me entertained from start to finish. And yes, I screamed “Chicken Jockey!” like the rest of the theater audience. And no, I don’t regret it.
Directed by Jared Hess, also known as the brain behind cult classics like “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre,” this movie was always destined to be a little weird and a lot of fun. Hess has a talent for mixing the awkward with the absurd, and in the world of Minecraft, where pigs fly and llamas wear hats, his style fits perfectly. Sure, the movie doesn’t showcase every single crafting mechanic or logic (engineers, we’ll live), but that’s not really the point. This isn’t a direct port of the game. It’s a remix that’s built on nostalgia and creative energy.
The story begins with Steve, voiced by the legendary Jack Black, a doorknob salesman whose real dream is to become a miner. Naturally. After a forbidden swing of his pickax in a restricted mine, he discovers the mysterious Earth Cube, which is an object that shoots him into the Overworld, Minecraft’s fantasy realm of monsters and magic. There, he thrives … until his portal to the Nether catches the attention of Malgosha, an evil piglin mage who wants to destroy the creativity Steve represents. Because, you know, that’s what piglins do.
Black is, unsurprisingly, the heart of this film. His musical breaks and his ability to flip between heartfelt and unhinged make.
Then comes Garrett, played by Jason Momoa in the most unexpected role of his career. Garrett is a washed-up former video game champion with a tragic backstory and the soul of a confused hero. Whether he’s flying through the sky with Steve face-first in his crotch (yes, that happens) or reminiscing about his ‘80s glory days, Garrett is the wildcard this movie needed. They’re joined by Natalie and Henry, two siblings trying to fulfill their late mom’s wish while dodging high school bullies and, somehow, a portal to a different dimension. Henry ends up accidentally blasting himself and Garrett into the Overworld, which was the start of an adventure that pulls the whole crew together.
Let’s talk about the Overworld itself. Visually, it’s a love letter to Minecraft’s beauty: pixelated trees, floating islands, glowing ores and moonlit skies that made me want to log in and build something immediately.
The plot is as crazy as it sounds. Magical orbs. Nether gateways. Tater Tot-based weaponry. But buried in all of that craziness is a surprisingly sweet theme about creativity and how we bring value to the world. One of the most touching lines in the movie comes near the end, when Steve says, “Turns out that if you’re brave enough, you can make the real world into your Overworld.” Cheesy, but so cute.
Is the film perfect? No. Some characters could’ve used more screen time or development. There are moments where the pacing dips or the jokes are a little awkward.
At the end of the day, “A Minecraft Movie” is weird, loud and it’s exactly the kind of chaos I signed up for. If you’ve ever punched a tree, built a dirt house or screamed “CHICKEN JOCKEY!” at the top of your lungs, this movie was made for you.
Grade: A-
