Why A Minecraft Movie Is the Most Fun You’ll Have Watching Blocky Mayhem, Thanks to Jack Black and Jason Momoa

When A Minecraft Movie hits the big screen, it’s hard not to be immediately captivated by Jack Black’s infectious energy. He hasn’t exactly been missing from Hollywood in recent years—voicing characters in Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and even making an attempt at live-action comedy in Dear Santa (which, according to its Razzie nomination, was less than stellar). But in A Minecraft Movie, based on the beloved Mojang Studios sandbox video game, Black’s vibrant and chaotic energy shines in a way that outshines his previous animated work.

In the film, Black plays Steve, a character who spent his childhood dreaming of becoming a miner. When he finally gets the chance to dig into some mysterious artifacts, he is whisked away to another dimension where he can create whatever he wants, turning everything around him into block-shaped objects. However, his utopia is soon under threat from Malgosha (Rachel House), the leader of the destructive and joyless Nether. The film takes the simple concept of Minecraft—a game about mining and crafting—and turns it into a zany, hilarious adventure full of absurdity, and Black is the perfect person to bring this chaos to life.

Black’s comedic style in this movie is a masterclass in overreaction. Whether he’s yelling, “Don’t fall for it, Gar Gar, that baby’s got the heart of a demon!” or rallying his comrades with, “First we mine! Then we craft! Let’s minecraft,” his enthusiasm makes even the most ridiculous lines feel both earnest and ironic. His ability to infuse each line with such sincere over-the-top energy is what makes the film’s humor work—he’s not just selling us a joke, he’s fully committed to the absurdity of it all, and that commitment makes it all the more hilarious.

The magic of A Minecraft Movie is also in how it balances Black’s frenetic energy with Jason Momoa’s laid-back but equally charming performance. Momoa plays Garrett “the Garbage Man” Garrison, a washed-up gamer from the ’80s who’s still living off past arcade glory. His delusional confidence is a perfect foil for Black’s Steve, who exudes a different kind of over-the-top self-assurance. Garrett, though brash and macho, secretly knows he’s a bit of a failure, and Momoa brings an endearing vulnerability to this character, making him feel both hilarious and sympathetic. The duo’s comedic chemistry is what holds the movie together, creating an odd-couple dynamic that is both funny and heartwarming.

The plot is as goofy as it sounds—Steve and Garrett, along with a group of quirky characters, are sucked into the Minecraft world where they encounter rectangular shrub zombies and piglin warriors while learning how to build massive square structures. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s exactly what it should be. Directed by Jared Hess, the man behind cult classics like Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre (also starring Black), A Minecraft Movie has the right balance of sweetness and absurdity. Hess’s knack for mixing comedy with heart, without ever crossing into the realm of pure ridiculousness, is the perfect fit for a film that is about fun, creativity, and the wild ride that is Minecraft.

What makes the movie especially effective is its playful reverence for the game. The Minecraft fanbase is devoted, and while it would be easy to poke fun at the game’s simple premise, the film manages to embrace the silliness of it all without being disrespectful. It’s a tongue-in-cheek love letter to the game that captures its spirit perfectly, making it not only a laugh-out-loud experience but also a fitting tribute to the cultural phenomenon.

Ultimately, A Minecraft Movie succeeds because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The film knows exactly what it is—a fun, absurd adventure packed with big laughs and bigger personalities. With the comedic prowess of Jack Black and Jason Momoa, combined with Jared Hess’s quirky sensibility, the movie is a comic delight that manages to keep things light and lively, just like the game it’s based on.