By the start of Jack Black’s second musical number in A Minecraft Movie, I relinquished my hope that the film would delve deeper than what it presents in its first half. It’s not to say that the first half is a total dud. A handful of genuinely funny one-liners, an enthusiastic performance from its cartoonish leading star, and a surprisingly likable cast of misfits make it a breezy watch. But when so many other kids' movies manage to be a fulfilling watch for viewers of all ages, Minecraft feels like a missed opportunity to get everyone on board with the phenomenon it's based on.
Not everyone will be ready and willing to accept this film for what it is. But if you do, you’re left with a decent comedy that lives up to the name. This is certainly a Minecraft movie. While it would have been nice to see THE Minecraft Movie, considering how important a cultural touchstone the best-selling video game of all time has become since its release 16 years ago, its first film adaptation is totally serviceable for who it's trying to reach.
