“A Minecraft Movie,” the film that blew “Barbie’s” Box Office record out of the water, is just plain fun. It’s geared at kids, but their parents—many like myself who have played and enjoyed “Minecraft—will like it too. The animation studio outdid themselves with the seamless integration of live action characters and the alternate reality of ‘The Overworld’ (“Minecraft’s” peaceful zone) and inserted so many plugs from the game, it’s doubtful any audience-member will leave wishing they had shown their favorite character or game reference. It’s zany and gets carried away sometimes. Jack Black is being Jack Black, and often it becomes a Jack Black show instead of the ensemble it intends. However, the film gets enough right to be entertaining.This is family fun and little else.
Yet beneath it all, “A Minecraft Movie” has a parable that creativity and following your dreams is important, and I liked the way the film hammered this home in its final moments and throughout.
Jack Black is Back… and Jason Momoa?
The basic plot revolves around two characters: ‘Steve’—from the original “Minecraft” game and Henry, a shy yet super intelligent kid who moves to a small town and doesn’t fit in. Sebastian Hansen is good in the role of Henry; he plays him with earnestness and the kind of timid fear you know will blossom into epic bravery in a film like this. Steve (donning his trademark blue shirt) is played by Jack Black, riding that wave of fame that made him super popular with kids in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Steve got stuck in “Minecraft” land after trying to rediscover his love of cave exploring early in the film. After a series of dangerous events with the film’s villain (Rachel House, voicing Malgosha), he teams up with Hank, his sister, and a lovable loser played with skill by Jason Momoa.
I can’t underscore Momoa enough. He looks and acts like Johnny Lawrence from “Cobra Kai” merged with Michael Cera’s character from “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (with Patrick Swayze from “Roadhouse” mixed in for good measure). The writing team worked overtime on his character Garrett, a 1989 world video gaming champion who lives his life reminiscing on his glory days while ducking eviction notices. He owns a video game nostalgia store and acts tougher than he is. He’s a pariah throughout, and I have to give Momoa credit for taking the abuse the film gives him. He gets a nice turnaround through, so stick around.
Reliving the ‘Minecraft’ World
What works about “A Minecraft Movie” is the way it blends the aspects of the Mojang classic and educates viewers along the way. It’s doubtful that kids—or adults for that matter—would buy a ticket for this movie without familiarity (or obsession) with the game. But assuming you were a newbie, the film—through Steve—basically lays down the various building and crafting options available to players. The homages to diamond swords, crafting tables, villagers, and grand, serene vistas are crowd pleasing. The film gets lost for a couple segments aligning a villager escaped to the real world with a zany Jennifer Coolidge, but it’s fun, drawing on Coolidge’s humor and likability.
Along for the ride with Black and Hansen here are two others. One is the affable Danielle Brooks, playing a lovable potato factory exec (Henry and his sister moved to Idaho, don’t ask). And the other is Henry’s sister, played well by Emma Myers, known for the “Wednesday” streaming series. Her parents tragically died, and she’s left to get a job at the factor and take care of Henry (hard, as she looks in her twenties at best).
Jason Momoa is Fun as Garrett
As “A Minecraft Movie” separates the heroes into groups, Myers and Brooks have nice and empowering scenes together. As do Henry, Steve, and Garrett. I found it interesting that Momoa has the film’s top billing, especially given Black’s star power. Overcoming Garrett’s inadequacies—and some shady tendencies—make for growth and bonding. It’s also remarkable that Hansen, another newbie, holds his own with mega stars with Black and Momoa, the latter who’s appeared in some of the biggest D.C. movies of the last decade. Some of his scenes with Steve—especially the ones where Steve encourages his creative talent are especially nice. Henry and Garrett initially bump heads; but the climax—featuring ghasts, fireballs, and magic crystals—is a crowd pleaser. I found Momoa extremely likable in the role, and hope he does more feel-good movies in the future.
If there are criticisms of “A Minecraft Movie,” it’s that it intends wholly to be an entertaining action film, and never tries to reach the depths of some other animated pictures like “Inside Out,” “Up,” or Wall-E.” The other issue is that at times the film simply becomes a Jack Black fest, which takes away from some of the engagement with the other characters. He’s also so zany at times that the film’s ending—intending to give him some emotional notes (and a sequel plug, of course) seem a little too terse and quick to take hold. But make no mistake: if you like Black, you’ll like Steve. He achieves the super comic status of Kevin Hart here: you could watch him make crazy eyes and faces—and little else—and still laugh. He works well with the cast, and ultimately most of his zaniness is forgivable.
A Fun, Enjoyable Movie
All-in-all, “A Minecraft Movie” is enjoyable. The graphics are encompassing and pull you into the game-like world. It was fun to watch all the references to the game play out on the big screen, and the characters are fun and engaging. Kids will doubtless enjoy this more than adults, but that’s a generalization. I discovered the game for the first time 5 years ago playing with my stepdaughter, and loved seeing all the things I forgot. It starts with a pallor of hardships for its characters and ends hopefully—which is all you can really ask for. “A Minecraft Movie” is a fun way to spend an hour and 40 minutes. That and its record-setting opening weekend of $163 million may sell you if you’re on the fence.
