A Minecraft Movie – Story and Review
It looks like the release of A Minecraft Movie is bringing a breath of fresh air to the box office, with opening numbers that are making movie buffs (and not only) pop their eyes. Imagine: an opening gross of $50 million, which is expected to reach and exceed $130 million in its first weekend. Mind-boggling numbers, capable of breaking previous seasonal records and stealing the show even from big-time films.
The project was presented as a live-action adventure for families, enriched by computer graphics elements that faithfully reproduce the creatures and environments typical of Minecraft: we are talking about Piglins, Zombies and, of course, cube-like blocks everywhere. Yet, the critics were divided. It seems that the film convinced the public more than the official reviewers, with a rather low online rating from the experts, against a very good reception among the spectators. In short, a typical case in which people chose to go and see the film regardless of the harsh judgments of the press.
The heart of the story revolves around a small group of four characters — Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, Henry, Natalie and Dawn — who, from their “normal” lives, are sucked into a strange portal. Finding themselves in the legendary Overworld of Minecraft, the four discover that they must learn to build, defend themselves and survive in a world with bizarre rules, led by the eccentric Steve. Between cubed landscapes, unexpected dangers and the need to trust their own creative instincts, the gang will have to become a real team, not only to get out alive, but also to save a universe that depends on their inventiveness.
The direction was entrusted to a name well known for his ironic and light-hearted taste, while a first-rate cast - from Jack Black to Jason Momoa, passing through Emma Myers and Danielle Brooks - stages a truly heterogeneous mix of personalities. The attention to detail, such as the sets inspired by the famous videogame and the costumes that evoke the pixelated texture, contributes to the feeling of really being "inside" Minecraft, giving a nostalgic effect to anyone who has ever spent hours building and defending their own block shelter.
Regardless of the criticism, A Minecraft Movie seems to have hit the mark: a great appeal to a beloved collective imagination, a story accessible to a vast audience, and a weekend of box office that speaks for itself. If these are the premises, let's get ready for a journey into the world of cubes that could prove to be the real surprise of the cinematic year.
The Story of A Minecraft Movie
Steve, always obsessed with the dream of discovering new worlds, sneaks into a mine driven by the desire to relive the enthusiasm that accompanied him as a child. There, he comes into possession of two very powerful artifacts: the Orb of Dominance and the Earth Crystal. Unknowingly, these objects hold the secret to access the Overworld, a realm in which everything, even the most ordinary, can be reinvented thanks to the art of construction. However, this discovery comes at a high price: Malgosha, the piglin ruler of the Nether, cannot stand the idea of a world shaped by creativity and prepares to unleash her fury on the Overworld. Steve, sensing the consequences, entrusts the two finds to his dog Dennis and makes sure they are not found by anyone... at least for a while.
Years pass, and in the quiet Chuglass, Idaho, the daily life of Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison — once a young video game champion, now the manager of a modest store — is turned upside down by an eviction notice. In an attempt to save his business, Garrett attends an auction where he ends up buying Steve’s old items. Unaware of everything, in the hope of finding an ancient console to resell, he finds himself instead with the Orb and the Earth Crystal in his hands. Meanwhile, Henry and Natalie — two siblings who have just moved to town following the disappearance of their mother — try to make their way in a new school, while real estate agent Dawn cultivates the dream of opening a large petting zoo.
Everyone's fates collide when Henry, to avoid problems after a disastrous school accident, pretends to be Garrett's nephew and accidentally combines the two artifacts. These reactivate the path to the mine, where the four end up sucked into the enigmatic portal that catapults them into the Overworld. Here, the dangers of a nocturnal realm populated by monsters are not long in coming. On the first night, besieged by hostile creatures, Garrett and Henry learn to build makeshift shelters, but the Earth Crystal breaks under Garrett's clumsy pressure. As if that weren't enough, Malgosha senses the Orb's return and frees a tired Steve from captivity, ordering him to recover the artifacts.
Luckily, the morning brings new allies and Steve comes to their aid, explaining that there is a way to fix the Crystal: go to the legendary Woodland Mansion. In a nearby village, the group begins to master the art of crafting, but a sudden attack by piglins separates them: on one side Steve, Garrett and Henry, on the other Natalie and Dawn. In the confusion, the former venture through caves and minecart tracks, chased by a huge armored boar, while Natalie and Dawn meet Dennis, Steve's fearless dog. After overcoming a thousand dangers, Steve and Garrett distract the Mansion pillagers while Henry recovers both the new Earth Crystal and an Ender Pearl. But Malgosha does not give up, he blows up the bridge and Garrett sacrifices himself to allow Henry and Steve to escape (luckily surviving the explosion).
Reunited again in a mushroom-shaped shelter, the entire group prepares for the final battle: they build weapons, forge armor and invoke the power of the Iron Golems. The assault on Malgosha's army is furious, but the five manage to bring back the sunlight, hitting the piglins and Malgosha herself who, exposed to the light, undergo a lethal transformation. Steve entrusts Dennis to Dawn, saying goodbye to the Overworld to return to Earth. Once home, each begins a new chapter in life: Garrett revives his shop by collaborating with Steve, Dawn opens the zoo of his dreams with Dennis as the star, Natalie teaches self-defense, while Henry finally masters his prototype jetpack. While recovering some memories hidden in the old attic, Steve discovers that his old house is now inhabited by a woman named Alex, a sign that adventures - even when they seem to be over - can always surprise with a new beginning.
A Minecraft Movie Review
“A Minecraft Movie” is surprising above all for its ability to transform a virtual world of cubes into a lively and inventive cinematic adventure. Those who expected a classic video game adaptation, perhaps a little repetitive, will have to think again: the film manages to recreate the feeling of freedom typical of the game, blending it with a narrative with a smooth pace and a few moments of pure adrenaline.
The cast is one of the strong points, thanks to the energy that can be felt in every scene. On the one hand, the sympathy of Jason Momoa (in the role of Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison) provides funny moments, on the other, the verve of Jack Black in the role of Steve—a key character who embodies the creative spirit of the game—gives life to gags and hilarious situations. In between, the team of supporting actors compensates for the exuberance of the protagonists, giving the story a certain harmony and a nice sense of camaraderie.
The film brings to the big screen both the more adventurous aspects of the video game (such as fighting against the Piglins or building shelters) and the more strategic ones, linked to survival and crafting. Thanks to a scenography that combines real and digital elements, each element—from the menacing creatures of the Nether to the idyllic Overworld—contributes to enriching the visual experience. Special praise also goes to the pace, which keeps the viewer involved thanks to a well-calibrated succession of moments of tension, small comic interludes and glimpses of pure fantastic amazement.
If some passages seem a bit predictable, especially in the “good guys versus bad guys” dynamic, the balance between action, friendship and humor makes “A Minecraft Movie” a pleasantly enjoyable product both for fans of the video game saga and for those looking for a light animated film (mixed live-action) but full of ideas. Ultimately, a film capable of valorizing creativity and demonstrating that, after all, the world of Minecraft is a space where everything is possible—even finding a pinch of magic that we thought was lost.
