by ECI Released : 2025-04-04
A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess and stars Jack Black as the video game’s protagonist Steve and Jason Momoa as a washed-up 1980s arcade champion. From the opening pixelated vista to the final boss battle, the film delivers a colorful, chaotic journey through the blocky world that fans know and love despite some choppy CGI.
Jack Black brings his usual larger-than-life energy to Steve, blending clueless charm with slapstick genius, while Momoa leans into his offbeat role with surprising comedic timing. I found myself laughing out loud at their chemistry — the unlikely duo injects the film with a goofy momentum that carries even the duller moments. They bounce off each other like a creeper off a redstone trap, keeping the audience engaged with plenty of well-timed humor and absurd one-liners.
Unfortunately, the film’s story is built on a very familiar blueprint. There’s the “chosen hero,” the predictable betrayal, and of course, a world-ending threat that can only be stopped with teamwork and a pickaxe. It’s fun, but it never surprises. Fans of the game might forgive the clichés thanks to the faithful world-building and clever visual gags, but it’s clear the film could have mined deeper.
What really drags the film down is a completely unnecessary subplot featuring Jennifer Coolidge as a wandering potion witch/former dance instructor — yes, really. While Coolidge is reliably hilarious, the subplot feels shoehorned in, disrupts the pacing, and leaves some side characters frustratingly underdeveloped.
Still, despite its flaws, A Minecraft Movie is a fun family film worth seeing at a drive-in near you.
