Directed by Jared Hess, the live action “A Minecraft Movie” brings the nostalgic game to life with a clever plot, hidden easter eggs, and lots of laughs. Released on April 4, the movie was a box office hit packing theaters and making over $301 million worldwide.

The story follows four individuals who have been trapped in the Minecraft world and are finding their way out while having to fight Malgosha, the antagonist, to obtain the orb they need to escape. There, they meet Steve, played by Jack Black, an experienced player who guides them through the basics of Minecraft.

For someone who has grown up playing Minecraft, this movie was able to capture the magic of this childhood game, including a simple plot, iconic jokes, adventure and references to the game. As expected, this film was not a deep dive into the game’s lore and had a simple surface level plot. This simple plot actually contributed to my overall enjoyment of the film, and this aspect makes it perfect for children or families. One criticism is that it lacked the aspect of plot turns that could have been incorporated with the backstory of Steve and Malgosha or Malgosha’s motives for destruction.

Jack Black steals the show with his over the top humor and musical drive with numbers such as “Lava Chicken,” and perfect deliveries of fan favorite lines such as, “I am Steve” and “Chicken Jockey!” The Minecraft movie has been a highlight for film lovers and gamers since the release of the first trailer back in September 2024. The film initially received harsh criticism from fans who saw it as tacky, but after the release of the second trailer fans loosened up and started to embrace the film in anticipation for its release.

Some videos on social media highlighted fans ranking lines from the movie’s trailer, dressing up in Minecraft apparel, and referencing songs produced by popular YouTubers such as “Don’t Mine at Night” by Brad Knauber, “Revenge” by CaptainSparklez and “Mine All Day” by PewDiePie and “Party in Backyard.” This had theaters packed on opening weekend with some chanting the most popular lines resulting in the major success.

The theater was very interactive throughout the whole film with fans chanting Steve’s lines, ending with a well deserved standing ovation from the audience at the end. Overall, this film was a 7/10 with my favorite aspect being the social media presence and Jack Black as Steve.

You can purchase tickets here.