A Minecraft Movie underwhelms critics in first reviews
Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge, it's set to delight young fans with an unlikely tale of humans stepping into the pixelated, blocky world of Minecraft through a hidden portal – but reviewers so far have proved a little more difficult to impress.
While some were surprised that it was better than expected, the majority of reviews called out the movie for being too shallow and silly, with some even claiming it goes against the premise of the Minecraft game.
Read more:
How Minecraft became a cultural phenomenon bound for Hollywood
Is the Minecraft movie a musical? Cast share Jack Black's best moments
What to expect from A Minecraft Movie
Some reviewers were pretty damning in their criticism of the movie, as The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: "Based on the 300-million-selling video game, it doesn't come even remotely close to working out how to turn its source material into the stuff of, or even backdrop for, an engaging feature-length plot...Still, with a monetisable fanbase that big, who cares about storytelling? Just show these chumps the blocks they paid to see!"
Clarisse Loughrey at The Independent was equally unimpressed: "There's a through line, buried in here somewhere, about how it's harder to be creative, easier to destroy. Unfortunately, A Minecraft Movie proves its own point. Creativity took too much effort. Easier to destroy the spirit of the video game instead."
ComingSoon's Jonathan Sim felt that it lacked substance: "How do you turn a sandbox video game with no real narrative into a movie? I have no idea, and clearly, Hollywood didn't either. In the grand tradition of video game adaptations that barely try, A Minecraft Movie crashes onto the big screen with all the subtlety of a Creeper sneaking up behind you. It's loud, it's bright, it's dumb, and it knows it.
"But while the film might be a colorful, action-packed spectacle for young kids and die-hard Minecraft fans, anyone hoping for a well-crafted adventure will be left digging for something—anything—of substance."
Other critics were a little more forgiving – they admitted that there was plenty that didn't work and that the whole concept was a challenge to make work, but did enjoy parts of it.
Variety's Owen Gleiberman said that "the challenge of making a movie out of Minecraft is: How do you create a story we have a stake in if the whole point of the world is simply to hang out in it?"
He added that "the story is something that's been grafted onto the world, and that we don't have much of a dramatic stake in it — that it's just the film's way of cobbling together something that 'works'. (Which, in its way, is very Minecraft.)".
Gleiberman also said that director Jared Hess (best known for Napoleon Dynamite) is "a genial camp satirist who knows how to invest not taking anything seriously with a flaked-out conviction. A Minecraft Movie never stops goofing on itself, and that's appealing."
Meanwhile, The Guardian's Catherine Bray praised the cast as she wrote: "It's a shame the film as a whole doesn't work quite as well as its standout performances, with a tendency to ping pong along from scrape to scrape with little sense that it would matter much if you rearranged the various monster attacks or obstacles to be overcome in a different order. A little more craft on the storytelling side could have elevated this to something special a la Dungeons and Dragons from 2023, but it's an enjoyable if hectic experience nonetheless."
Others had some backhanded compliments for A Minecraft Movie as they admitted to liking it more than they had expected to.
Ian Sandwell wrote for Digital Spy: "Will it satisfy every fan complaint if it's not their ideal version of Minecraft? Probably not. But Hess and his impressive cast have built an entertaining and often silly family outing that's better than you expected."
He added: "There are nits to be picked and you could have a horrible time with it, or you could just let its silliness wash over you and have a fun time."
Devindra Hardawar at Engadget wrote: "It turns out A Minecraft Movie is actually good. Honestly, I'm as surprised as you are."
A Minecraft Movie is released in cinemas on 4 April.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Native Hawaiian Woman Called Out The People Complaining About "Chief Of War" Being In The Hawaiian Language With English Subtitles
Earlier this month, Chief of War premiered on Apple TV+ and completely blew me away. The historical drama focuses on the unification of the Hawaiian islands, mainly from the point of view of Kaʻiana (played by Jason Momoa). As a Polynesian woman, I grew emotional seeing Hawaiian history and culture represented on screen. And so well done, too! From the cinematography to the acting to the costumes, you can feel how much love and care went into the making of this show. Since Chief of War is Jason's longtime passion project, I wouldn't expect anything less! And to hear all the actors speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) — goosebumps! I never in a million years imagined we'd get a show like this on a major streaming platform in a Pasifika language. What a powerful decision to kick off the series in the language these historical figures actually spoke, one with a complicated history that's being revitalized today. As of the time of writing, Apple TV+ has released three episodes, with more English in the most recent episode due to the historical events explored in the show. So, imagine my surprise when I came across quite a few social media posts criticizing Chief of War for not being in English. Some people were apparently annoyed about reading subtitles, with this X (formerly Twitter) user writing, "What morons make a show for an American audience and put it in a completely foreign language. If I wanted to read, it would be a book." Note: The image of Jason Momoa in the original tweet was replaced here due to photo rights. As more and more of these complaints made the rounds online, some Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) social media users began pushing back against this terrible take. One such person was Lily Hiʻilani Okimura, a 27-year-old substitute teacher and content creator. In a video posted to TikTok, she criticized the above tweet and explained some Americans might not be the target audience, but that doesn't mean other cultures don't deserve TV shows in their own language. In another video, she gave her review of the first few episodes and emphasized the importance of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in the series, saying, "It is not treated as a background element. It is foundational to the storytelling." To learn more, I reached out to Lily, who was "extremely impressed" by Chief of War. She told BuzzFeed, "After watching the first couple episodes and hearing it completely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, my jaw was dropped, and I felt as if I was immersed into the world. Of course, the show will eventually transition more into English as the story progresses and events in our history takes place, but having the beginning of this show and whole episodes be set in Hawaiian was amazing. And ESPECIALLY for Apple TV+?! Wouldn't have thought they would've approved. Jason Momoa and [series co-creator] Thomas Paʻa Sibbett must've fought really hard for this!" View this photo on Instagram Lily began learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in 2020 while studying for her MFA in Hawaiian Theatre. Not only does the Hawaiian language in the show give her the opportunity to follow along and practice, but it "just makes sense" due to the plot and setting, she said. Additionally, this "further normalizes and legitimizes ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to the outside world and for folks who may have only heard a few of the words in our language like 'aloha' and 'mahalo.'" "Hawaiian is a real language, a Polynesian language from the Austronesian language family," she continued. "It was spoken in our lands for generations before colonialism, and we were forced to speak only English. The Hawaiian language ban affected many ʻohana, including my own, where they couldn't speak it at schools or in public in order to assimilate into this new (forced) American way of living. I'm the first in my family to relearn our mother tongue, and I hope to teach it to my future children, enroll them into Hawaiian Immersion school, and that they will be fluent, and they can teach me!" "Having the show in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi also brings cultural authenticity, allowing viewers to experience the story through the same lens and worldview our kūpuna (ancestors) did, instead of filtering it through English for outside convenience. It contributes to language revitalization by making ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi visible and functional in a mainstream setting, inspiring more people to learn and speak it. For fluent speakers and immersion students, hearing the language on screen validates their identity and shows that their voices belong in the global media landscape. Just like Korean, Spanish, or French films, it reminds the world that Hawaiian deserves the SAME respect as any other global language." As far as the backlash goes, Lily thinks the complainers are "extremely uncultured and need to get out more." She continued, "There are English subtitles! Can these people not read or what?" before pointing out several examples of other languages in pop culture, from anime to Star Trek's Spock speaking Klingon to Parasite, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2020. "We share this planet with billions of people, coming from different backgrounds and cultures and lived experiences. How boring would it be to only experience and consume art and media that only reflects one narrow worldview? Art, history, and storytelling lose so much richness when they're stripped of the language that shaped them. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi isn't just a translation option; it's the lens, the rhythm, and the worldview of our people. English was forced here through colonization, and for decades, speaking Hawaiian was punished. Choosing to tell a Hawaiian story in Hawaiian is a deliberate act of resistance and cultural restoration. Complaining about that because it's 'inconvenient' for you isn't just lazy — it's participating in the same erasure that tried to kill our language in the first place." View this photo on Instagram Lily hopes that Chief of War will open the door to more TV shows and movies diving into Hawaiian history and mythology, especially in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. "Thus, more opportunities for Kānaka Maoli to tell our stories! More, new, and fresh faces! Maybe an actual TV and film industry here in the islands that's Hawaiian-centered." "E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi! The Hawaiian language shall live!" she concluded. View this photo on Instagram To learn more about Kānaka Maoli culture and issues, be sure to follow Lily on TikTok and Instagram! And you can watch Chief of War on Apple TV+ here.
Buzz Feed
12 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Hawaiian Woman Response To Chief Of War Language Complaints
Earlier this month, Chief of War premiered on Apple TV+ and completely blew me away. The historical drama focuses on the unification of the Hawaiian islands, mainly from the point of view of Kaʻiana (played by Jason Momoa). As a Polynesian woman, I grew emotional seeing Hawaiian history and culture represented on screen. And so well done, too! From the cinematography to the acting to the costumes, you can feel how much love and care went into the making of this show. Since Chief of War is Jason's longtime passion project, I wouldn't expect anything less! And to hear all the actors speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) — goosebumps! I never in a million years imagined we'd get a show like this on a major streaming platform in a Pasifika language. What a powerful decision to kick off the series in the language these historical figures actually spoke, one with a complicated history that's being revitalized today. As of the time of writing, Apple TV+ has released three episodes, with more English in the most recent episode due to the historical events explored in the show. So, imagine my surprise when I came across quite a few social media posts criticizing Chief of War for not being in English. Some people were apparently annoyed about reading subtitles, with this X (formerly Twitter) user writing, "What morons make a show for an American audience and put it in a completely foreign language. If I wanted to read, it would be a book." Note: The image of Jason Momoa in the original tweet was replaced here due to photo rights. As more and more of these complaints made the rounds online, some Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) social media users began pushing back against this terrible take. One such person was Lily Hiʻilani Okimura, a 27-year-old substitute teacher and content creator. In a video posted to TikTok, she criticized the above tweet and explained some Americans might not be the target audience, but that doesn't mean other cultures don't deserve TV shows in their own language. In another video, she gave her review of the first few episodes and emphasized the importance of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in the series, saying, "It is not treated as a background element. It is foundational to the storytelling." To learn more, I reached out to Lily, who was "extremely impressed" by Chief of War. She told BuzzFeed, "After watching the first couple episodes and hearing it completely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, my jaw was dropped, and I felt as if I was immersed into the world. Of course, the show will eventually transition more into English as the story progresses and events in our history takes place, but having the beginning of this show and whole episodes be set in Hawaiian was amazing. And ESPECIALLY for Apple TV+?! Wouldn't have thought they would've approved. Jason Momoa and [series co-creator] Thomas Paʻa Sibbett must've fought really hard for this!" Lily began learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in 2020 while studying for her MFA in Hawaiian Theatre. Not only does the Hawaiian language in the show give her the opportunity to follow along and practice, but it "just makes sense" due to the plot and setting, she said. Additionally, this "further normalizes and legitimizes ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to the outside world and for folks who may have only heard a few of the words in our language like 'aloha' and 'mahalo.'" "Hawaiian is a real language, a Polynesian language from the Austronesian language family," she continued. "It was spoken in our lands for generations before colonialism, and we were forced to speak only English. The Hawaiian language ban affected many ʻohana, including my own, where they couldn't speak it at schools or in public in order to assimilate into this new (forced) American way of living. I'm the first in my family to relearn our mother tongue, and I hope to teach it to my future children, enroll them into Hawaiian Immersion school, and that they will be fluent, and they can teach me!" "Having the show in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi also brings cultural authenticity, allowing viewers to experience the story through the same lens and worldview our kūpuna (ancestors) did, instead of filtering it through English for outside convenience. It contributes to language revitalization by making ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi visible and functional in a mainstream setting, inspiring more people to learn and speak it. For fluent speakers and immersion students, hearing the language on screen validates their identity and shows that their voices belong in the global media landscape. Just like Korean, Spanish, or French films, it reminds the world that Hawaiian deserves the SAME respect as any other global language." As far as the backlash goes, Lily thinks the complainers are "extremely uncultured and need to get out more." She continued, "There are English subtitles! Can these people not read or what?" before pointing out several examples of other languages in pop culture, from anime to Star Trek's Spock speaking Klingon to Parasite, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2020. "We share this planet with billions of people, coming from different backgrounds and cultures and lived experiences. How boring would it be to only experience and consume art and media that only reflects one narrow worldview? Art, history, and storytelling lose so much richness when they're stripped of the language that shaped them. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi isn't just a translation option; it's the lens, the rhythm, and the worldview of our people. English was forced here through colonization, and for decades, speaking Hawaiian was punished. Choosing to tell a Hawaiian story in Hawaiian is a deliberate act of resistance and cultural restoration. Complaining about that because it's 'inconvenient' for you isn't just lazy — it's participating in the same erasure that tried to kill our language in the first place." Lily hopes that Chief of War will open the door to more TV shows and movies diving into Hawaiian history and mythology, especially in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. "Thus, more opportunities for Kānaka Maoli to tell our stories! More, new, and fresh faces! Maybe an actual TV and film industry here in the islands that's Hawaiian-centered." "E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi! The Hawaiian language shall live!" she concluded. To learn more about Kānaka Maoli culture and issues, be sure to follow Lily on TikTok and Instagram! And you can watch Chief of War on Apple TV+ here.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Apple TV Plus's new historical drama is the best show you're (probably) not watching — and it's 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
I appreciate everyone's probably busy streaming the likes of "Wednesday" and "Alien: Earth" right now, but I have another show I want to shout about: Apple TV Plus' new epic historical drama, "Chief of War." Pitched as a passion project for co-creators Thomas Pa'a Sibbett and Jason Momoa, the series is a dramatic look back at Hawaiian history, and has even invited comparisons to Hulu's own acclaimed epic, "Shogun." I've been looking forward to "Chief of War" ever since the teaser trailer dropped back in May. At the time of writing, we're now three episodes into the season, and I'm pleased to report that I am totally locked in on the series so far. Save for a couple of breakout hits ("Severance", "Ted Lasso", "Slow Horses"), Apple TV Plus is home to plenty of underseen shows, and I don't want "Chief of War" to be one of them. So if this is the first time you're hearing about "Chief of War", here's a little bit more info about the new show, and why I think you should stream "Chief of War" on Apple TV Plus now. "Chief of War" is based-on-true-events drama about the origins of Hawai'i and its people, one that recounts the unification and colonisation of the region at the turn of the 18th century. Try Apple TV Plus free for seven days! Try Apple TV Plus free for one week and sample episodes of "Chief of War" and much, much more. The series follows warrior Ka'iana (Jason Momoa) as he sets out to unite his homeland in the midst of a fearsome power struggle that erupts between the four kingdoms. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The series is performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast, which, alongside Momoa, also features Temuera Morrison, Luciane Buchanan, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale'o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka, and Benjamin Hoetjes. "Chief of War" is an impressively realized story that I have both been gripped by and that I've relished getting lost in. So far, it has proven to be a series with intrigue and serious forward momentum. Easily the show's biggest boon is not its beautiful scenery or its drama, but Momoa himself. He is turning in what I think is his most impressive performance to date. If you crave action, "Chief of War" is most definitely for you. It's brutal brawls and chases have been captivating showcases of both sheer brawn, but also of a steady hand behind the camera, thanks to both the physical prowess on display, and the cinematic staging the series boasts. Easily the show's biggest boon is not its beautiful scenery or its drama, but Momoa himself. As the multi-hyphenate co-creator, exec producer, director, and star at the center of the show, he's more than successful. The show's assured, and he is turning in what I think is his most impressive performance to date. I'm judging the series without seeing the entire season, but what I've seen of "Chief of War" so far has me impatiently waiting for Fridays to roll around just to see where we go next. It's immersive, gripping television. It's not just me who recommends "Chief of War," either: the series currently holds a 93% score on the review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that reads: "Starring Jason Momoa at his ferocious best, "Chief of War" is a brutal epic that recreates Native Hawaiian history with commendable authenticity." In his 3-star review of the season, Empire critic David Opie conceded that the 'plotting somewhat meanders' and that the show 'feels admirable but with something still to prove,' but nevertheless praises the commitment to authenticity and the 'grandiose battles'. Variety's Aramide Tinubu praises the show as "a majestic and immersive story about rebels, home and allegiance" and highlights the series' "highly textured" feel from the costumes and dialogue through to its visuals. Bottom line: if you're looking to be swept up in a bold new drama, one that boasts compelling characters and truly thrilling combat, then you need to stream "Chief of War" on Apple TV Plus. At the time of publication, four episodes are available, with the remaining five set to air on Fridays through to the series finale on September 19. Already streaming "Chief of War," or looking to make the most of your Apple TV Plus subscription? Check out our guide to the best shows on Apple TV Plus for tons more streaming suggestions. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
