Rating: 2.5/5
Synopsis:
The world’s most popular video game finally transitions to the big screen. Does it live up to the legacy? We see the game’s history combined with real life humans, where a group of people down on their luck get sucked into a wonderland crafted by blocks. Imagination is key to success, where surviving comes from building. The group must embrace their creativity with a legendary crafter in order to make it home. Can they do it in time?
Positives:
I knew full well that “A Minecraft Movie” was not up my alley going in. But with the massive fandom and buzz surrounding the movie, I decided to give it a chance. I’ll admit the film has a certain charm to it. The world building combined with the human element works pretty well, managing to bring non fans in and understand some of the references. Fans of the game will be most impressed as there are plenty of crowd pleasing references to go around (admittedly ones I didn’t pick up on). It was so nice to see fans of the game clapping and enjoying themselves with the numerous nods to the gameplay. This is the definition of a movie that fans of the game will love. Credit to the filmmakers for knowing their audience.
The film has a visual style that will be hit and miss. I commend it for being true to the game style while sharpening it up for a live action film. The world building and blockiness is immersive and colorful. It’s evident the creative team has experience playing the game. The video game movie genre is getting better in this regard, remembering WHY fans enjoy the game and not trying to cram too much in. Granted, “A Minecraft Movie” does tie the human characters into this world, which is an important part of making this film so successful. Jason Momoa and Jack Black both embrace the ridiculous concept well. They understand the assignment, bringing the wonkiness of the game with the charm they’re known for.
Negatives:
While I acknowledge I’m not the target demographic, I wish “A Minecraft Movie” was a better film. It has enough winks and nods to satisfy fans, but those unfamiliar with the subject matter are unlikely to be impressed. I’m glad that video game adaptations are making films for the target audience but I don’t think the additional elements are particularly strong. The writing highlights the idea of creativity in the beginning but doesn’t weave it into the story to feel worthwhile. The filmmakers could have included this as a central theme to make the story stronger. Unfortunately, lots of the larger ideas about rediscovering lost creativity and embracing one’s inner child are largely unexplored. What a shame.
I also think most of the humor is a mixed bag. It’s targeting younger viewers who will enjoy the silly nature. But audiences older than the high school age will likely roll their eyes at this particular brand of humor. Director Jared Hess mixes his “Napoleon Dynamite” style with the wonkiness of the Minecraft game. For me, it was too silly and forced. Some will enjoy it while others will find it tiresome. This is one of those experiences where audiences know what they’re getting into. If the trailers looked intriguing or the game is of interest, “A Minecraft Movie” will be successful. If not, I’d say it’s safe to sit this one out.
Conclusion:
“A Minecraft Movie” is a circumstance where it turns out exactly as expected. If the silly, ridiculous tone combined with the game’s foundation sounds appealing, go check it out. For the uninitiated, this might not be their cup of tea. The unique visual aesthetic and strong cast help its watchability but it abandons the touching message about creativity. If the story highlighted that more then the story would have been stronger. As someone who hasn’t played the game, it was a mixed experience. But I’m thrilled that the target audience seems to be connecting with it. This will be a big win for movie theaters!
