A Minecraft Movie
★★ 1/2
I’m not quite sure what I just witnessed… and I say that not because the plot was hard to follow, but because A Minecraft Movie left me feeling every bit of my age. This wasn’t made for me — and honestly, that’s okay. Not every movie should be. But there are certain moments in pop culture where you realize you’re no longer in the “in” crowd. This was one of them.
Directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre), the film brings his signature blend of chaotic whimsy and offbeat humor. He might’ve been the perfect choice for this project — a nonsensical sandbox of a story that allows for strange characters, absurd set-ups and a whole lot of one-liners. Some of the jokes are so subtle they don’t even land with the audience (mine included). Other times, especially with Jack Black’s character of Steve, it feels like the film is trying too hard to be quirky.
Visually, I actually preferred the “real world” sequences to the pixelated Minecraft realm. The effects are solid — but as someone with zero personal connection to the game, it left me feeling more curious than invested. I didn’t walk away wanting to pick up a controller. But hey, maybe that’s not the film’s job.
The cast is committed. Jack Black does his musical thing (yes, there’s a song about a “Lava Chick”), and Jason Momoa throws himself into the chaos, high-pitched screams and all. But their chemistry is… off. Momoa, as charming as he can be, just feels too bulky and bro-y for the part. And while Black gets a few spotlight moments, the script leaves supporting actresses like Jennifer Coolidge, Emma Myers and Danielle Brooks largely sidelined in what becomes a very male-dominated hero’s journey.
And yet — here’s where it gets wild — during the “Lava Chick” number, both of my daughters sang along… word for word. And danced. They had never seen the movie. They don’t even play Minecraft! That’s when it hit me: this isn’t my movie. It’s theirs. This is the world they’re growing up in, and they’re already fluent in it.
Still, even in all its chaotic silliness, the movie offered one moment that genuinely resonated with me: “It’s harder to create than to destroy.” It’s a surprisingly powerful line tucked inside a movie about lava chickens and blocky adventures. But in today’s climate — politically, socially, culturally — that message landed with unexpected weight. Building something that lasts, that matters, takes patience and vision. And yes, it’s a lot harder than tearing it down.
In the end, A Minecraft Movie isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s got more heart and style than many other kid-targeted flicks. It’s not deep, it’s rarely surprising, and it often feels like it’s chasing viral moments more than story arcs. But it’s fun enough for its target audience — especially the TikTok crowd.
As for me? I may not be mining for diamonds anytime soon, but I do appreciate a movie that reminds us: creation takes courage.
