"A Minecraft movie": clunky yet entertaining
Making good films from computer games is notoriously difficult. Did "A Minecraft Movie" succeed? We went into the world of blocks.
Screenshot from the Minecraft movie trailer
(Image: Warner Bros.)
Warning: The following paragraphs may contain spoilers.
Creativity is the key to self-development – and requires a certain belief in yourself, that's the core message with which the Minecraft movie dismisses its viewers after 101 minutes. "A Minecraft Movie" officially opens in cinemas tomorrow and fans of the block worlds might consider going to see it. The title, however, should give them a bit of a warning: It's a movie set in Minecraft worlds, not a Minecraft movie.
The story isn't exactly original, though it's relatable to many generations who have been into gaming. Steve – who only wears blue shirts, just like a certain skin in a popular block-building game – wanted to go prospecting for resources in a mine as a child and can't really cope as an adult in normal life in the early 1980s. But then he finds two objects that, when put together, open the way through a portal to the Minecraft overworld. There he is asked the question of all questions: "Why are you so round?" But after a short time, he falls into the clutches of the evil pig priestess of Nether, referred to as the Witch in the movie. Taking advantage of his good nature, she is able to persuade him to remain her prisoner, where Steve must wait to be rescued.
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Unlike Steve, the 1989 arcade champion Garrett "Garbage Man" Garrison was once successful, but his best days are long behind him and his small specialist store "Game Over World" is as broke as his Pontiac Firebird. But that doesn't change his loudmouth attitude. And then there are the siblings of young Natalie and her creative little brother Henry, whose mother has just died and who are now moving to a downright horrible town. There, Natalie has found a job in the local potato factory and a little house where they are welcomed by a friendly woman called Dawn, who also becomes a companion in the adventure.
Through various coincidences, legacies of Steve in the human world, and a loyal Minecraft wolf, they all find themselves in the Minecraft worlds. They have to go on adventures there in order to perhaps move back – if desired – to the earthly realities. Meanwhile, a Minecraft villager has lost his way. Will all be well in the end or will General Oberborst and the Piglins stand up to Steve, Garbage Man, Henry, Natalie and Dawn?
The movie is aimed at anyone who is interested in Minecraft or simply enjoys an absolutely predictable plot, little allusions to almost all generations of gamers and a fairly classic American story about heroic anti-heroes and heroes growing up.
"Let's punch some pigs in the nose!"
Finally, it should appeal to a younger audience, an important part of Minecraft players. However, it has been rated FSK12 in Germany, as the next lower level would have been six years and up. Although there is no shortage of violence against pixel creatures: Piglins quickly end up as steaks, the distinction between game or movie and reality should already be well incarnated in the minds of youngsters before they watch the film. Because many of the scenes in the film are not exactly characterized by Montessori pedagogy, even if creativity is repeatedly emphasized. Phrases similar to "Let's punch the pigs in the nose!" are more common.
And the excitement factor for younger children should not be underestimated. But this is mainly because something is happening all the time – the movie leaves few pauses. It may still be easily digestible for well-developed 9-year-olds, but it is probably more comprehensible for 12 or 13-year-olds. But it obviously entertains this target group – lots of action, the good-versus-evil basic story is suitable for children and there are enough little jokes built in to let out any tension. The fact that children and adults probably see very different movies despite going to the movies at the same time: Totally fine.
However, adults who are not accompanied by their children should think about what they expect from the movie beforehand. If you have a soft spot for a heroic tale that plays around with crude clichés, in which real characters move from one place to the next in a crudely resolved world, while something goes poof or bang every few minutes: certainly suitable for group visits. However, it may be advisable to get in the mood for the movie before going to the cinema.
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Die-hard Minecraft fans should avoid the movie
The fact that the movie is likely to disappoint die-hard Minecraft geeks is also worth mentioning. After all, it is simply a plot set in this world, with characters that have been adapted to Minecraft and partly come from Minecraft. Fans of the game, who wanted to crowdfund a movie back in 2014, would certainly have done things differently. The same story would also work in entirely different worlds with very few changes. After all, it's just "A Minecraft movie" and not "The Minecraft movie". Do you really need a naturally offered DLC for it – or will it incur the wrath of your fellow players? We'll find out after the movie opens in German cinemas tomorrow.
(vza)
