A Minecraft Movie Review: Big Imagination, Small Payoff

A Game with Endless Possibilities—But a Film That Falls Short

When a video game like Minecraft—known for having no set story—gets a movie adaptation, the possibilities are endless. Players have always created their own adventures, stories, and characters. This could’ve given the filmmakers a blank canvas to create something truly bold and imaginative. Unfortunately, A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, doesn’t take full advantage of that freedom. Instead, it ends up being a visually fun, but narratively weak, film that never quite finds its heart.

The movie starts in a quiet little town called Chuglas, where Steve (Jack Black) is tired of his boring daily routine. He’s always dreamed of mining, and finally, he gets a chance to do it for real. Deep underground, he finds a mysterious glowing orb that transports him to a blocky new world full of wonder and opportunity. He names it the Overworld and decides to make it his new home, a place where no one is judged or undervalued. His loyal wolf-dog Dennis joins him in this adventure. But peace doesn’t last long. An evil ruler from the Netherworld named Malgosha (Rachel House) wants to exploit the Overworld’s resources. She captures Steve, forcing him to send Dennis back to the real world to protect the orb.

A New Generation Enters the Adventure

The story jumps ahead several years and introduces us to three new main characters. First is Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), a washed-up video game champion now struggling with real-life responsibilities. Then there are siblings Natalie (Emma Myers) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen), who have just moved to town after the death of their single mother. Natalie now has to act like a parent to her younger brother, while Henry faces bullying at school for being a nerd.

Eventually, the glowing orb ends up in the hands of this new trio, along with Natalie’s kind boss Dawn (Danielle Brooks). Together, they enter the Overworld and begin a journey that is supposed to be exciting and emotional—but ends up feeling more like a series of random events than a powerful story.

Great Visuals, But Where’s the Heart?

Let’s be clear—this movie looks fantastic. The Overworld and Netherworld are designed with loving attention to the Minecraft aesthetic. The blocky designs, house-building, mining, and crafting mechanics are all there and look true to the game. Fans will definitely appreciate how visually faithful it is. The action scenes, creatures, and battles are entertaining too, especially for younger viewers.

The film also tries to touch on meaningful themes like self-worth, creativity, and being different. But sadly, these ideas are only skin-deep. Natalie’s struggle to be both a sister and a mother, Henry’s fight against bullying, and Garrett’s loss of purpose are interesting starting points. However, the film doesn’t dive deep enough into any of them. These emotional threads could’ve made the characters feel real and relatable, but they just float on the surface.

A Missed Opportunity for Deeper Meaning

The biggest problem with A Minecraft Movie is that it has all the ingredients for something great—but never puts them together properly. The final battle with Malgosha doesn’t really bring out any meaningful change in the characters. Yes, they defeat evil. Yes, they save the Overworld. But do they truly grow from the experience? Not really.

Even Malgosha, the villain, had the potential to be more than just evil. We learn she was bullied as a child, just like Henry. This could have been a powerful moment—two characters from opposite sides, shaped by the same pain. But the film doesn’t bring them together. They never even share a scene. It’s a shame, because this kind of emotional payoff is what turns a good story into a great one.

Another issue is that the movie seems afraid to aim higher than just “fun for kids.” There’s a common myth that stories for children can’t also be meaningful for adults. But great family films—like Inside Out, Paddington, or The Lego Movie—prove otherwise. A Minecraft Movie had that chance and let it slip away.

Final Thoughts: A Fun Adventure That Could Have Been So Much More

A Minecraft Movie isn’t terrible—it’s colorful, fast-paced, and occasionally charming. Kids who love Minecraft will probably enjoy the visuals and the familiar in-game features. But for everyone else, especially older fans, it’s likely to feel like a missed opportunity.

What should have been a celebration of imagination ends up being a film that ironically lacks the very creativity it’s trying to praise. With a stronger script, more character development, and a bit more emotional depth, this could’ve been something truly special. Instead, it’s a shallow dive into a deep ocean of potential.