"A Minecraft Movie" emerges as the latest intellectual property to be transformed into a Hollywood blockbuster, capitalizing on the video game's popular digging theme.
Following in the footsteps of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Jumanji," "A Minecraft Movie" follows four outcasts who stumble upon a mysterious portal, transporting them to a bizarre, blocky world akin to a psychedelic Lego creation.
Director Jared Hess masterfully balances appealing to young gamers and maintaining parental interest in this action-adventure. The adaptation is delightfully eccentric, featuring unexpected detours into turquoise attire and tater tot pizzas, with Jennifer Coolidge embodying her signature persona.
For those unfamiliar with "Minecraft" and its inhabitants like Creepers, Piglins, Villagers, and Endermen, immediate consultation with a knowledgeable child is advised. (One young viewer noted a subtle tribute to the late YouTuber Technoblade.)
The film remains true to the game's essence while introducing new elements such as orbs and crystals to enhance the narrative. Newcomers might echo a character's sentiment: "This place makes no sense," upon encountering pandas and earth-punching figures.
Our protagonists, including a sibling duo (Emma Myers and Sebastian Eugene Hansen), a quirky real estate agent (Danielle Brooks), and a washed-up pro gamer (Jason Momoa), are guided by Jack Black as Steve, a stranded crafting expert.
"A Minecraft Movie" highlights Momoa's comedic evolution, building on glimpses seen in "Aquaman" and "Fast X." However, his absence is felt, even with Black's over-the-top performance.
Momoa, as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, known for his fingerless gloves and pink leather jacket, quips, "There's no 'i' in 'team' but there are two 'i's in 'winning.'" He also muses, "Paper doesn't grow on trees."
The screenplay, penned by a team of writers, embraces a free-spirited approach, culminating in a Marvel-esque battle with enthusiastic declarations, yet maintaining a quirky first half.
The film mirrors many predecessors in its quest-for-home theme, involving navigating zombies, fiery skeletons, and the Nether, a dark realm of gold-mining horrors. The piglike witch-ruler strangely sports glowing eyes and a British accent.
The script includes "America's Got Talent" references, Black's musical interludes (like "Steve's Lava Chicken"), and a focus on Momoa's posterior, concluding in a dance party. The film blends "Dark Crystal" and "Transformers" vibes, touches on financial struggles, and emphasizes friendship.
While eggs are thrown, the film doesn't fully embrace the creativity celebration it initially promised.
Hollywood's gaming adaptations thrive with HBO's "The Last of Us" and Amazon's "Fallout." More adaptations are coming: "Until Dawn," "Mortal Kombat 2," and "Five Nights at Freddy's 2."
For "A Minecraft Movie," see it for the Piglins, but stay for Momoa's bilingual and jujutsu mishaps against Skid Row-esque opponents. It's everything you could want.
"A Minecraft Movie," from Warner Bros. Pictures, opens Friday, rated PG for violence, language, humor, and scary images. Running time: 101 minutes. It earns two and a half stars out of four.