Carter Scott ‘26, Entertainment Editor
Turning the world’s most iconic sandbox game into a live-action film seemed like a risky move. Despite the risk, A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, delivers a surprisingly charming and visually captivating adventure. Filled with humor, action, and chaos, the film honors the spirit of the game while creating an overarching theme about teamwork, creativity, and embracing your imagination.
The story itself centers on a group of misfit teens—and one unlikely hero, Garrett “the Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa—who are sucked into the pixelated world of Minecraft. With the help of the beloved Steve, who is played by Jack Black, they must navigate terrain, face classic in-game mobs, and ultimately find a way back home.
Momoa brings an unexpected comedic flair and heart to someone that could have easily been seen as an egotistical and selfish side character. Meanwhile, Black’s Steve is everything you could ever want: loud, enthusiastic, and oddly inspirational. Together, they form a team that is chaotically wholesome.
Visually, the film is a spectacular showoff of just how far CGI has come. It stays true to Minecraft’s distinctive look—blocky, colorful, and immersive—while still feeling like a movie rather than an in-game cutscene. From exploding creepers to sprawling villages, the game’s landmarks are lovingly recreated, and the action scenes are smartly choreographed to feel like the real game.
While the plot does not venture far from the familiar “trapped in a game” storyline, what makes A Minecraft Movie special is its tone. The film never takes itself too seriously, and a large part of the movie’s fame resides in the hilarious quotes that have become viral on the internet. For example, scenes where Steve announces “this is a crafting table,” “chicken jockey,” and “first we mine, then we craft—let’s minecraft,” have all blown up across social media and brought attention to the movie for audiences of all ages.
As junior Cooper Swanson put it, “I thought the movie was great. The experience with everyone clapping at every movie reference was surreal and I really did enjoy it. Being there with all my friends took me back to when I used to play the game. I really do believe that movie brought everyone’s inner child out.” Similarly, junior Drew Sepanski said, “I loved it. Seeing the movie with my friends reminded me of when we would all get together and play the game.”
In the end, A Minecraft Movie is a fun, family-friendly ride through one of the most beloved video games in history. Whether you decide to watch it because you are a long-time fan of the game, or because you have seen the memes and videos online, you are surely in for a treat.
Lyon Life 