A MINECRAFT MOVIE -- Jack Black Leads an Outlandishly Entertaining Video Game Adaptation

Review by Camden Ferrell

After decades where video game movies were doomed to failure from the start, it appears we’re entering a period of time where it seems like Hollywood is giving these adaptions a fighting chance at competency. A Minecraft Movie is the next film that is attempting to prove that video game movies can be more than just mindless and soulless cash grabs on a beloved IP. While nobody is going to confuse it for high art, audiences will certainly agree this Jack Black-led comedy is so outlandishly stupid that it becomes one of the most entertaining video game movies we’ve seen in recent years.
 
Natalie and Henry are two siblings looking to start a new life in Idaho when they find themselves thrust into an unexpected adventure. Along with a local celebrity and their real-estate agent, they enter the world of Minecraft (aka the Overworld), a land where Henry’s creativity can roam free. Along with the help of another human named Steve, this group of misfits are on a journey to find their way back home. It’s a classic family adventure set up, and it’s a convenient way of telling a familiar narrative among the unique video game settings of this world.
 
This is Jared Hess’s first feature as a solo director in 10 years, and it feels like a strong return to form for him. This movie was written by five writers, and it’s actually quite surprising that Hess is not one of them because of the quirky offbeat humor it possesses. While it definitely has some of the cheesiness and tropes of standard family fare, there’s also a frequently present eccentricity that feels aligned with Hess’s style as a director. This means the movie has broad appeal that ensures parents can also enjoy this movie with their kids. 

One of the main aspects that make this movie worth watching is its absolutely unhinged performances. This movie is led by Jack Black as Steve, and it’s about as energetic and insane as you’d expect. He gives 110% in every scene, and it truly gives the film a loud and unique personality. He’s joined by an ensemble that consists of Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen. Of these actors, Momoa matches Black’s energy and delivers another crazy and over-the-top performance. Their individual performances and chemistry are worth several laughs at a minimum.
 
Even though the performances are firing on all cylinders from start to finish, I’ll admit it’s not fully sustainable throughout the movie, so it does have some dull moments as a result. On top of that, some of the humor might not speak to all ages equally. Additionally, some of the goofiness and borderline amateurish aspects of the film heightened the absurdity of everything to an entertaining degree, but this might not hold true for everyone.
 
On paper, this movie shouldn’t work. But thanks to Hess’s signature style of filmmaking and the fervent dedication of its cast, this movie is one of the biggest surprises of the year. It’s a genuinely entertaining movie with heart, passion, and plenty of tomfoolery. Kids and adults alike are going to get a kick out of this movie for one reason or another. The video game movie genre has another success story.
 
A Minecraft Movie is in theaters on April 4.
 
Rating: 3.5/5