The Warner Bros. film based on Mojang Studio’s popular video game, “Minecraft” is mining its way up the box office, taking in $163 million domestically on its opening weekend. Surpassing past video game film adaptations, such as Universal and Illumination studio’s 2023 “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”,”A Minecraft Movie” continues to break records, becoming one of the top 10 highest grossing video game adaptations in box office history.
The shock of the film’s success not only had to do with its previous box office projections, but audiences’ initial reactions to the film prior to its release. According to Variety Magazine, the film was projected to take in around $70-$80 million, with some suggesting a number closer to $90 million. Additionally, reactions to the film’s first trailers left many fans of the game feeling disappointed with the way their favorite game was translated onto the big screen. The live action aspect of the film and its cliché comedy jabs left nonfans feeling confused by the film entirely. The first trailers were so bad that they ended up on the second spot of Collider’s “The 10 Worst Movie Trailers of All Time, Ranked.”
The film’s story follows a group of four misfits- Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen), his sister Natalie (Emma Myers), real-estate agent Dawn (Danielle Brooks) and former video game champion Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), as they suddenly get dragged into a portal that transports them into the overworld of Minecraft. Trying to find their way back home, they meet Steve (Jack Black), an expert crafter, and embark on a quest. During their adventures, each of them must learn to adapt and master life in the cubic wonderland by using their own creativity and imagination skills to protect themselves and the overworld from the evils that lurk.
With a 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics continue to leave harsh reviews on the film, stating how much of a mess it is. Though, audiences are reacting differently to the film. With an 88% on the Rotten Tomatoes popcorn meter, some viewers are enjoying the film, with some even mentioning that it gave them a good laugh.
Sophomore forensics science student, Mia Zullo, shared her own review of the film. “It felt so nostalgic to me!” she said. “I felt my inner child heal as I experienced something that was so important to me as a kid.”
Regardless of how great she thought the film was, Zullo had some of her own critiques to give.
“I wish the female characters played a more important role in the film,” she said. “All they did was build a house. Dawn’s character as well was very disappointing as she was just the ‘loud black girl’ stereotype. I understand it’s a kids movie and everything, but the female characters deserve to have character depth.”
Besides reviews, other chaotic reactions to the film have become popular online. On TikTok, a viral “Chicken Jockey” trend has captured the internet by a storm since the film’s release. In videos posted on social media, the trend occurs when Garrett is supposed to fight a Chicken Jockey,a baby zombie that rides a chicken, and Steve enthusiastically says “Chicken Jockey!” During this part of the film, videos show young audience members yelling the name of the creature as they jump up and down, ensuing chaos as they throw food, drinks and completely trash the theaters.
Though theaters are issuing warnings and kicking out many movie goers as a result of the trend, Warner Bros. executive vice president Dana Nussbaum said in a statement that the chaotic reactions are “a testament to the game’s loyal fan base.” Additionally, the film’s director, Jared Hess, also approves of the trend. According to the New York Times, in an interview he said how much of a blast he has watching all the different videos of the trend.
“A Minecraft Movie” is now playing in theaters.
