APRIL 24, 2025 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | By Grant Loui (Staff Writer)
I recently saw “A Minecraft Movie” in theaters, and it was one of the most pleasantly surprising and enjoyable films I’ve watched in a while. It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I would highly encourage everyone to see it. Here are my spoiler-free thoughts and a review of the film.
The movie follows Henry, played by Sebastian Hansen, and Natalie, actress Emma Myers, are siblings who move to Chuckles, Ohio, after their mom dies. Here they meet the real estate agent, Dawn (Danielle Brooks) — a busy woman who juggles multiple side businesses and Garrett “The Garbageman” Garrison, a washed-up video game champion from the 1980s who runs a struggling video game store. When the four misfits are transported into the Minecraft world, they meet Steve (voiced by Jack Black), who serves as their liaison to the Minecraft world, explaining the world and its workings. Here, they must learn the power of creativity and friendship to defeat the evil piglet queen Malgosha (Rachel House). Additionally, there is a subplot in which Vice Principal Marlene (Jennifer Coolidge) falls in love with a villager.
I absolutely loved “A Minecraft Movie.” Is it a flawless movie or a deep, intellectual film? No. But at its core, it’s fun. And that’s something we need more of in the world. So many movies, even comedies and children’s movies, feel dark and gloomy. It’s refreshing to watch a movie where the villain isn’t some misunderstood tragic figure, or where the conflict isn’t about a serious concept like generational trauma. The plot isn’t particularly special; it’s a typical story about discovering the power of friendship and imagination. But I would say that this movie executes that plot well.
But this doesn’t make the movie ‘slop’ or ‘brain-dead.’ An incredible amount of love and passion went into this movie. For starters, nearly every prop or item was physically created by talented artists. The greenscreen sky can make it hard to see that the houses, trees, and terrain were also all physically created for this movie. Everything created for this movie was meticulously designed to adhere to Minecraft’s logic and aesthetic, with the team of designers working closely with Mojang Studios, the game development studio that created Minecraft.
It’s easy to clown on Jack Black in the trailers, just saying random Minecraft things. His exclamations at this point have been memed to death; “chicken jockey,” anyone? But Black brings his signature zany, energetic performance that he is known for. He injects so much life into every scene and is so fun to watch. And his expository dialogue is much better in the context of the movie. Steve (played by Black) is not the film’s protagonist; he is the guide and mentor. And in this role, he shines.
Another movie highlight is Jason Momoa, who plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, and his chemistry with Black. Momoa’s comedic timing rivals Black’s. The character of Garrett, “The Garbageman,” could have been easy for audiences to get tired of, but Momoa plays him expertly. He and Black also play off each other exquisitely, and their scenes together are undoubtedly the best part. Well, except when we cut back to the B-plot and watch Jennifer Coolidge’s character and a villager fall in love.
The comedy in this film had me and the rest of the theater goers erupting with laughter. The humor is a bit off-kilter and bizarre, but it fits the vibe of a game as wacky and ridiculous as Minecraft. Everything in the film follows an internal logic that grounds the absurdity, which is part of why this movie is so funny.
I encourage everyone to see “A Minecraft Movie.” It’s precisely the kind of movie we need more of: a fun and light-hearted, yet well-made film. However, if you go, please respect the theater and its staff. Don’t throw your popcorn around, destroy the seats or let a live chicken into the theater. I implore you to laugh, cry, clap and cheer; it’s part of the fun, just don’t make a mess or cause any damage.
In a world filled to the brim with films that depress their audiences or tackle mature themes, “A Minecraft Movie” is a breath of fresh air. It thankfully doesn’t sacrifice quality for fun. It’s a movie that is just pure fun and helps you relax and enjoy yourself, taking you back to a simpler time. And isn’t that what Minecraft does anyway?