Orson Welles, takes notes. A Minecraft Movie was recently released in theaters and is already being hailed as not just the best movie of 2025, but as one of the greatest movies to ever grace the big screen. 

On April 4th, Jared Hess’ masterpiece A Minecraft Movie took the world by storm. Starring Jack Black, Jason Mamoa and Danielle Brooks, A Minecraft Movie follows the story of an entourage of quirky characters who must fight their way out of a mysterious world with the help of a wise builder named Steve. Don’t be fooled by this simplistic plot as under the surface, A Minecraft Movie explores profound themes of judgement, survival, and the human experience. While these abstruse themes may go over the head of an average audience member, film aficionados and philosophers alike will have plenty to sink their teeth into with this intellectually dense, behemoth of a film. 

A Minecraft Movie is based on the hit 2011 game Minecraft, which has quickly cemented itself as one the biggest properties in modern culture. Spanning multiple systems and selling over 300 million copies, it may seem that Minecraft is everywhere you look these days. As a pseudo intellectual myself, I quickly became concerned about the proclamation of A Minecraft Movie being made. I mean, how could a movie based upon a modest video game where you place blocks be able to convey anything worthwhile? It became all I could think about, consuming my every waking thought. After months of contemplation, I made the decision that I would not see A Minecraft Movie. Oh, how foolish I was. 

Going to the theater under the notion that I had tickets to see a documentary about the French New Wave movement, I had accidentally walked into the wrong auditorium without realizing. Before I knew it, A Minecraft Movie had started playing along with a cacophony of hoots and hollers. After 10 minutes of sitting among a crowd of people blatantly disregarding theater etiquette, I made the decision to leave. However, before I could get up… it happened. A beautiful shot of a wolf howling at the moon as the title of the movie slowly faded into view. The audience went wild, cheering and clapping as hard as they could. Usually, I loathe this type of behavior, reporting anyone I see breaking the rules to AMC staff. Yet, this time, I was filled with a sense of belonging. An indescribable feeling of community. Where for just an hour and a half, everyone was able to put aside their differences and experience this magnificent piece of art. It was truly transformative.

As the film went on, the audience and I were treated to Black’s impeccable performance as Steve, rivaling contemporary legends such as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Daniel Day Lewis. This is an impressive feat considering the range required of Black. Dancing, singing, fighting and emotionally charged scenes were all executed by Black with extreme proficiency. Never was there room for error. 

Black is not the only actor giving the performance of their career, as, in addition, Momoa plays an extremely layered character. Garret, while on the surface is your textbook example of a macho man, is secretly grappling with the trauma caused by childhood stardom, an ever relevant subject seldom tackled by the very system that perpetuates it. Peaking as a teenager, Garret experiences feelings of despair and doubt, forced to play the role of the strong, silent type. It’s a rather heavy subject for a family movie, only further showcasing A Minecraft Movie’s mature and nuanced script, which I have no doubt in my mind will be studied in the coming years. 

Regarding the actual filmmaking of A Minecraft Movie, Hess never ceases to impress me. Watching exhilarating set piece after exhilarating set piece, I quickly began to regret sneaking in an ice cold Monster Energy past theater security, as my heart was just about ready to burst out of my chest! Whether it’s an epic battle against an army of zombie piglets, or a nail biting minecart chase, you’re guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat, regardless of how much caffeine is coursing through your body. 

When it comes to gripes I have with the film, I have very few. However, If I could change anything about A Minecraft Movie, it would most likely be the runtime. At only 101 minutes, I felt as if the story was over before it even began. With extremely terrible movies such as The Brutalist and The Irshman clocking in at over 3 and a half boring hours, it’s a crime that an actual good film like A Minecraft Movie is so short! I could easily spend hours with these characters, as by the end it really felt like I knew each and every one of them. 

Regardless, If you thought the 19 dollar asking price for a single ticket wasn’t enough, or just a fan of abstract pieces of plastic, then you’d be in luck! For a limited time only, Mcdonald’s is partnering with Warren Bros. to bring you a Minecraft themed adult-sized Happy Meal, allowing you to receive a collectible toy while also optimizing your caloric intake. How generous! In my meal, I received a Grimace egg that looks like it came straight from the game. I just know this cute little guy is going to sit neatly on my shelf next to all my Marvel blu-rays and Nintendo games! 

If I had to summarize A Minecraft Movie in one sentence, it would be: This movie is life-changing. I’m not being hyperbolic in the slightest. I truly believe that after watching this film my outlook on life has changed. Seeing A Minecraft Movie on opening night with a packed audience is truly a once in a lifetime experience, which I would hate for anyone to miss. I implore everyone young and old to catch A Minecraft Movie in theaters while it’s still fresh in the zeitgeist. You won’t regret it!

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