The Minecraft Movie Starring Jack Black
The new Minecraft movie has officially arrived in theaters, and after taking my family to see it, I can confidently say that your enjoyment will largely depend on your age and expectations.
Case in point:
My 8 year old nephew loved it.
My teenagers “Appreciated it for what it was.” (Yes. I asked them what that meant. No. They weren’t very articulate about it.)
Meanwhile I was read to leave halfway through.
What Works
First, let’s be clear about the target audience: younger children who love to play Minecraft with their friends will have an absolute blast.
The movie faithfully recreates the blocky (voxel) aesthetic and familiar elements from the game. Kids will immediately recognize and appreciate all sorts of references to Minecraft and its associated fandom.
The colorful world, iconic mobs, and gameplay mechanics all make appearances that feel authentic to the source material.
Jack Black and Jason Momoa were the stars of the show and their obvious friendship was fun to watch. They both leaned into the absurdity of their roles and, while they won’t be winning any Oscars for their performances, they were fun to watch.
The physical comedy and visual gags are right on target for younger viewers. Our screening was full of excited kids who laughed at all the right spots. (Listening to the reactions of the kids around me was the highlight of the movie for me.)
Mixed Reactions
The experience is more uneven for parents and older viewers.
The humor fell flat (a LOT) with jokes that seem targeted exclusively at the youngest audience members.
The storyline follows a fairly predictable path that may test the patience of those looking for a somethign more sophisticated. That said, the film does include some clever moments, particularly in the mid and post-credits scenes that surprisingly delivered some of the movie’s best content.
They definitely set themselves up for an inevitable sequel. And that setup was worth the risk because Minecraft set records for having the biggest opening weekend in for a video game adaptation in box office history. It even beat out the Super Mario Bros. Movie!
Who Should See It?
If you have young children (around 8-12) who are Minecraft fans, this movie is practically mandatory viewing. They’ll likely be thrilled by seeing their favorite game world brought to life on the big screen.
For families with older teens or adults without young Minecraft fans, this might be one to skip unless you’re particularly interested in the franchise or are big fans of the lead actors.
The Verdict
Minecraft: The Movie successfully delivers what its core audience wants – a colorful, silly adventure in the world they love. Just set your expectations accordingly if you’re outside that demographic, and you might find moments to enjoy amid the blocky chaos.
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