From the computer screen to the big screen, “A Minecraft Movie” brought the beloved world building video game to life, April 4, after facing much skepticism from fans prior to its release.
“A Minecraft Movie” is a fantasy adventure comedy film with a combination of live action and iconic visuals based on the 2011 video game, “Minecraft,” by Mojang Studios.
Plans for the film adaptation of the movie began in 2014; however, Legendary Entertainment and Warner Brothers Entertainment didn’t begin casting until 2022, landing on Jason Mamoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebatian Hansen as their main characters.
The film follows the four main characters; Garret Garrison, played by Mamoa; Henry, played by Hansen; Natalie, played by Myers; and Dawn, played by Brooks. The characters are pulled into a portal to the Minecraft world and must embark on a quest in order to escape the video game and protect it from the dangers of the Nether world.
As they are led by the iconic game avatar Steve, who is played by Black, they learn they have to protect the creativity and imagination in the overworld from the threat of the Nether world mobs, who want to destroy joy.
Despite the initial skepticism facing the success of the movie, “A Minecraft Movie” ended up being extremely successful, with an opening weekend box office of $163 million in the United States and Canada and $313.7 million worldwide.
The film broke several records, including the domestic biggest opening year to day, opening based on a video game, record-opening for a Warner Brothers and Legendary co-production and even more.
The huge turnout can be attributed to the unbelievable popularity of the game. Since its release in 2011 by Mojang Studios, “Minecraft” has garnered 300 million downloads worldwide and a fanbase that extends from the game to YouTube, and now to the cinema. Many famous “Minecraft” YouTubers were featured or referenced in the new movie, leading to feelings of nostalgia for many of its older fans.
Though most people had doubts for this movie, its care for the origins of the game and little details made many feel it was well done, funny and wholesome.
