“This isn’t a perfect remake, but that’s okay,” I thought to myself after watching the teaser trailer for “A Minecraft Movie.”
Going from confusion and skepticism to healthy optimism, it seems I am part of a minority of fans actually looking forward to the film, which hits theaters on Apr. 4.
The teaser has been described by critics as “soulless,” “a Hollywood butchering” and “utterly horrifying in almost every conceivable way.” The criticisms are largely levied against visuals and casting. They decry the trailer as a shoddy attempt at a realistic approach to the iconically 16 by 16 pixel texture that “Minecraft” is known for. Additionally, they dismiss the portrayal of the video game protagonist, Steve (Jack Black), as merely Black in a blue shirt. To these criticisms, I would have to respectfully disagree. I choose the optimist route.
The movie is explicitly a “Minecraft” adaptation wherein the protagonists “find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld.” In other words, it’s a journey of real people thrust into the cubic Minecraft world. The contrast between live-action actors and an animated universe is an interesting approach to the question “What if I was in Minecraft?” that players have undoubtedly asked themselves at some point. As someone who’s devoted hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to “Minecraft” since the Xbox 360 days, I welcome this immersive touch.
I am also looking forward to Black’s portrayal of the video game protagonist. The unique brand of over-the-top goofiness and comedy that he brought to “School of Rock” and the “Kung Fu Panda” series will add a lot to this film. With Black’s Steve being noticeably older than its video game inspiration, it seems fair to assume that he’s been stuck in the Minecraft world for years, or even decades. The film’s writers would be smart to explain this older depiction of Steve by going into detail about the character being battle-hardened by monster encounters. This would resonate with even the most novice of “Minecraft” players, as they would know all too well the panic that comes with nighttime mob chases.
Avid “Minecraft” players might guess how much from the game the film can draw from. From what players can discover exploring the Overworld and the game’s other realms — the Nether (seen in the teaser) and the End — there is no shortage of destinations upon exploration, crafting and combat.
Weaving together a cohesive and entertaining story into the roughly two-hour runtime does, at first glance, pose challenges regarding the film’s attention to detail. I say we can rest easily on that front.
There is a specific scene in the teaser where Garett Garrison (Jason Mamoa) crafts what seems to be a double bucket. In a show of true attention to detail, the trailer producers go out of their way to show glistening diamond armor and winged boots in the background — the latter of which alludes to the in-game Feather Falling enchantment that reduces fall damage. If long-time fans should take away anything from the teaser featuring the wings — a visual touch that the game itself doesn’t include — it’s that they will feel seen by the film’s details, big and small.
What is also likely on fans’ minds is how “A Minecraft Movie” fits into the video game movie curse. Ever since the infamous “Super Mario Bros.” (1993) failed on all fronts — flat acting, poor visuals and shoddy direction from filmmakers and studio executives — video game films have consistently left a bad taste in fans’ mouths.
More recent releases, in a sharp departure from the video game movies of old, paint a more optimistic picture for how “A Minecraft Movie” might fare. “Detective Pikachu” arguably kicked off a renaissance period for video game cinema with its humorous, visually stunning take on the Pokemon world. “Sonic The Hedgehog” told a story that struck a masterful balance between using the animated hedgehog speedster and Jim Carrey’s one of a kind comedic style. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” stands strong as a beloved, immersive experience into the Mushroom Kingdom, as a result of Nintendo’s direct involvement in production.
This should be a cause for optimism as we approach seeing “A Minecraft Movie” in theaters. Its shots of the derpy llama, menacing piglins and loveable werewolf show a bold artistic touch that takes the iconic source material to new, incredibly stunning levels. With Black’s comedic style that we all know and love, we are presented with what could very well end up being a lively, refreshing and bold take to the expressionless “Minecraft” world. Details big and small show that “A Minecraft Movie” takes the best-selling video game of all time into a new era.
Surely, the teaser will disappoint anyone expecting “A Minecraft Movie” to be a cinematic masterclass that rivals the likes of “Jaws,” “The Dark Knight” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” But that’s okay. Along with a star-filled cast and stunning visuals, we are in the best time for video game cinema. In the end, I am confident that this new movie will faithfully adapt the beloved never-ending crafting and possibilities of “Minecraft” at the box office.
Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective opinions, thoughts and critiques.