Review of 'A Minecraft Movie'

This film follows four misfit characters who are unexpectedly transported into the Overworld—a vibrant, blocky dimension built on creativity—where they must master crafting, building, and teamwork to find their way home. Led by Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa) who operates a retro computer-game store, the group—each grappling with personal struggles—embarks on a perilous quest through this pixelated realm, guided by the quirky and resourceful Steve (Jack Black) who has inhabited “Overworld” for years, explaining the world to them and knowing how to navigate and get things done: Henry (Sebastian Hansen) is a young creative boy struggling to adapt in a new town with his sister Natalie (Emma Myers) after losing both of their parents; Dawn (Danielle Brooks) is an eccentric real estate who runs a “mobile petting” zoo in her car. As they confront bizarre creatures (which make it into the real world), navigate treacherous terrain, battle the evil Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House) who wants to destroy Overworld, and unlock their own hidden talents, the group discover that the very imagination they’d neglected in the real world is the key to survival.

The best thing about this film is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Jack Black whose zaniness is on full show here but even he is let down by a confusing plot that never seems to know when to quit. There are some entertaining, funny characters and sequences but it never really gets off the ground with so much potential unused - A land where you can build anything, squandered at creating swords and a (modest) castle? The acting is adequate but not exactly compelling with the characters simply moving the plot along rather than having any sort of emotional depth. At the end of the day this is supposed to be story where these characters redeem themselves in another world but in reality it is just grappling for a meaning to the nonsense of the story.

As an aside, I found it interesting that “Minecraft” is never really mentioned until about 3/4 of the way into the film. This is a weird real world/digital world hybrid approximation of Minecraft that doesn't really work too well but is certainly odd looking. There are some nice nods to retro-geek action but much like the rest of the promise of this film, it never goes anywhere.

As a geek, I so much wanted to like this film but at the end I was very much disappointed…except for a few funny sequences featuring Jack Black but, sadly, even this amazing comedic and frenetic talent cannot save this one. Ok, it is a bit fun and quirky, but, really?

Rating: “Average, but who wants to be average?”

Review Date: 2025-11-02

Directed by: Jared Hess

Studio: Warner Bros.

Year: 2025

Length: 101 minutes

Genre: Fantasy

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3566834/