1 week Ago By Elena Koshy
OKAY, here are two confessions: One, I have absolutely no clue what 'Minecraft' is really about.And two, I actually bought a ticket to watch 'A Minecraft Movie', inspired by the very game I don't understand.Would I have done that if it wasn't for the purpose of reviewing it — especially after missing the free preview (complete with popcorn and a drink)? Hmm.
.. probably not.
But here we are.Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. This is a review.
Let's mine into it. (Yes, that was a 'Minecraft' pun. You're welcome.
)THE GAMELet's start with the game itself. 'Minecraft' is one of the most popular video games of all time.First released in 2009, it had sold over 300 million copies by 2023.
It belongs to a genre of games — alongside 'Roblox' and 'Terraria' — that are loved by gamers of all ages, from fidgety 5-year-olds to grown adults who claim it's "stress relief".So, what's the deal with 'Minecraft'? In a nutshell, it's a sandbox game — which means if you can imagine it, you can build it. Think Lego, but digital and endless.
There's no fixed storyline, no boss levels (unless you want them), just a pixelated world waiting for you to dig, build and craft your way through it.As one gamer poetically put it: "It's like the earth, the world — and you're the creator of it." Translation: it's God mode for people who really like cubes.
THE MOVIEWhich brings us neatly to the movie itself. Directed by 'Napoleon Dynamite' filmmaker Jared Hess, 'A Minecraft Movie' introduces us to Jack Black as Steve — a disillusioned office worker who ditches his soul-sucking desk job to pursue his dream of becoming a miner. (Midlife crisis, but make it pixelated.
)One swing of his axe into a mysterious glowing cube, and boom — a portal opens to the Overworld, the colourful, blocky universe of Minecraft, where the only limit is your imagination.For the uninitiated (hi, yes, me), "Steve" is the default playable character in the game.So having Jack Black play the Steve is a clever wink to fans — and a convenient way to ease everyone else in.
He's soon joined by four misfits: orphaned siblings Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and his older sister Natalie (Emma Myers); Dawn (Danielle Brooks), a fast-talking estate agent who moonlights with a mobile zoo; and Garrett (Jason Momoa), a debt-ridden former arcade game champion clinging to his faded glory.The gang gets sucked through a portal into the Overworld, where they soon find themselves in a war with the villain — a piglin named Malgosha, who despises creativity and is obsessed with hoarding wealth.Admittedly, I'm a total 'Minecraft' noob — so any subtle nods or Easter eggs flew right over my head like a pixelated chicken.
But there I was, clutching my Coke and popcorn in a cinema packed with kids and teens who clearly knew their stuff.Scattered applause and cheers erupted every time a familiar character appeared on screen — proof that this film was speaking directly to the fans..
. and I was just along for the ride. THE VERDICTSo, did I enjoy the movie? Yes and no.
Look — it's obviously a silly little storyline stitched together because the powers-that-be saw an opportunity to cash in on a wildly successful game.'Jumanji' and 'Dungeons & Dragons' had their movie moments, so there's no reason this wouldn't follow suit — especially with big names like Jack Black and Jason Momoa leading the charge.That said, I do wish the story had been tighter, with stronger characterisations — especially for Myers (completely wasted here and I loved her in 'Wednesday') and Brooks (who brought so much fire to 'Orange Is the New Black').
Their talents deserved more than the pixel-thin roles they were handed.Still, I have to say, I loved Momoa in this ridiculous washed-up role as Garrett the Garbage Man.The hot pink jacket, the dramatic delivery — it all worked.
He was surprisingly funny.His bromance with Steve had genuine chemistry, and it's a shame it wasn't explored further. There was real comedic gold there, just waiting to be well, mined.
Another underrated but totally believable performance came from Rachel House as Malgosha. Her mix of villainy and comic flair hit just the right note, and her final interaction with Steve was genuinely hilarious.Jennifer Coolidge plays Marlene, a divorcee and vice principal who hits a video game character with her car and eventually finds romance with him.
The entire subplot felt unnecessary — and a bit creepy, considering this is supposed to be a children's movie.Okay lah. The movie had its moments, but that's really all it had.
And that's a pity.'Minecraft' the game is about limitless creativity — the idea that you can build anything.I just wish the same could be said for the movie.
They could have done so much more, but they didn't. And that's the real waste.NOW SHOWINGA MINECRAFT MOVIEDirected by: Jared HessStarring: Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel HouseDuration: 101 minutesClassification: P12© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
