By John Ostapowicz / The Jambar
The highly-anticipated video-game adaptation of “Minecraft” hit theaters with mixed reviews, but received positive praise at the box office.
“A Minecraft Movie” released April 4, and since its debut, grossed $157 million domestically by April 6. According to CNN Business, the milestone set a record for the largest-domestic opening weekend for a film based on a video game.
The movie’s arrival to the big screen also marked the biggest opening weekend of the year.
Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie stars notable actors such as Jack Black, playing the video game’s main character, Steve, and Jason Momoa portraying Garrett Garrison, a character who’s still stuck in the ‘80s.
Jared Hess directed “A Minecraft Movie” and brought his signature comedy to the film adaptation. Hess worked with Black before on “Nacho Libre,” and also directed the classic comedy, “Napoleon Dynamite.”
“A Minecraft Movie” has a simple plot — to stop an impending threat from taking over the “Overworld.” As a game, “Minecraft” challenges its users to be creative and think outside the box, which the movie itself captivates on the big screen.
Kyle Smith, a critic from the Wall Street Journal, wrote that the movie had its flaws, but introduced a feel-good spin on video game-based movie adaptations.
“It’s not the most polished movie you’ll see this year, but it’s as cheerfully mad as a little kid’s birthday party. We could use more of that,” Smith wrote.
From a cinematic standpoint, certain scenes in the movie felt unpolished and the live action portions of the film failed to mesh with the computer-generated imagery used to recreate the world of “Minecraft.” The use of green screen mechanics and chroma keying also takes away from the movie’s animated features.
However, “A Minecraft Movie” delivers a nostalgic feel for those who grew up playing the game since its official release in 2011. Black’s character does a great job of explaining the game’s mechanics to those who are unfamiliar with its playstyle.
From Easter eggs referencing popular YouTubers or the use of in-game crafting recipes, the film delivers the game’s authenticity.
To sum up the movie, Amy Nicholson, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, wrote that the movie is a moronic version of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“Four ragtag Idaho acquaintances blunder into the Overworld and beg Black’s wizard-bearded blowhard for help returning home. Yes, Toto, there’s a cubist dog, too,” Nicholson stated.
Whether the movie appeals to its viewers or fails to deliver on the game’s mechanics, “A Minecraft Movie” certainly offers its own interpretation on the popularity of “Minecraft.”