Four misfits are dragged through a portal into the pixelated realm of Overworld in this video game adaptation.
Minecraft fans, rejoice! The long-awaited movie adaptation of the popular video game has finally arrived.
The goofy family film stars Jason Momoa as former gaming champion Garrett, who befriends the town’s new arrival, Henry (Sebastian Hansen). When Henry picks up a mysterious cube, it takes him to the opening of a portal inside a mine shaft.
Garrett, Henry, his sister Natalie (Emma Myers) and their estate agent Dawn (Danielle Brooks) are pulled into the Overworld, a brightly coloured pixelated wonderland populated by geometric sheep, chickens and weird bush-like figures.
They discover expert crafter Steve (Jack Black), help him save Overworld from the evil piglins, and figure out a way to return home.
A Minecraft Movie is a silly adventure aimed squarely at children and fans of the video game. Adults may like some fun moments and the wacky performances, but kids will probably really enjoy this.
Your experience with the film will also greatly depend on your tolerance for Jack Black because he clowns around here more than he’s ever done on film before. And that’s saying something!
His performance feels like a tactic to compensate for the weak story and the lack of verbal jokes, but he is still very amusing to watch and makes the film more entertaining. Who can resist smiling at his energy, OTT facial expressions and unique line deliveries?!
Momoa may be known for his serious action roles, but he is in full-on silly mode here. He tries his best to be as goofy as Black and really commits to the physical comedy, making his ridiculous performance pretty fun to observe.
As their performances are so big and loud, their three co-stars fail to make an impact and have very little to do, especially Brooks, who deserves so much better.
Over in the real world, Jennifer Coolidge has a random subplot as a vice principal who meets an escaped Overworld villager and takes him on a date. It feels unnecessary and awkward, and the more adult humour doesn’t always work, but this odd story pays off hilariously in the end.
The story feels uninspired, and some of the CGI characters look weird, but there’s enough action and adventure in A Minecraft Movie to entertain a younger crowd.
In cinemas from Friday 4th April.
By Hannah Wales.
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