Exponent Editors Review “A Minecraft Movie”

Amanda Fulton, Editor-in-Chief

I did not think I would enjoy “A Minecraft Movie” due to its brainrotted nature. However, I left the theater not only soaked in soda that someone threw over the audience during the “chicken jockey” scene, but with a changed mind and heart. I particularly resonated with Garrett and his ultimate sacrifice. This moment is the crux of his character development is indicative of his shedding of ego. When Garrett sacrificed himself to the piglins, it was a break in the societal expectation of toxic individuality and a shift into a more elevated form of altruism that we don’t often see in the modern world. I was particularly inspired when he declared: “Tell my story in song. Keep it metal. Keep it heavy.” Overall, this movie is worth watching for the moral lessons alone, though you may run the risk of children throwing soda at you in the theater.

Lela Haslup, Graphic Design

“A Minecraft Movie” wasn't just a movie; it was an immersive experience featuring airborne popcorn, inexplicable gay tension and soda spraying everywhere. Jennifer Coolidge and the villager delivered one of the most unexpected yet moving love stories of the year — their romance might even rival that of Steve and Garret. I did have a few issues: Tater tots are not a part of Minecraft, and that old miner character never aged — he should have been missing at least five more teeth. Overall, it was a great experience, but I doubt I will be seeing it again.

Molly Houser, Culture Editor

While “A Minecraft Movie” may appear as just silly and goofy, the film actually serves as an allegory for capitalism and its consequences. Hear me out: the antagonist, Malgosha — the gold-obsessed piglin ruler of the Nether — is a representation of the authoritarian suppression of creativity. Her role in the movie critiques systems that reject innovation and weaponize wealth. I didn’t enter the theater expecting to be schooled on a larger societal issue of greed and the danger of turning every realm into a museum devoid of creativity, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Will Malizia, Sports & Outdoors Editor

I had low expectations going into the film. I had seen the trailer countless times and honestly, none of it looked appealing. However, I walked away surprisingly satisfied. Most people probably assumed this movie would just be a cash grab targeted at young kids with short attention spans. The reality is that Minecraft has been around for over a decade, and young adults such as myself who grew up playing the iconic video game turned out to see the film. Jason Momoa’s entire character, Garret the Garbage Man, is a stereotypical washed-up gamer resting on his laurels. His character resonates far more with an older crowd than a younger one. Rest assured, next time I watch “A Minecraft Movie,” I’ll be snug as a bug at home, reminiscing on a bygone era when Minecraft was all I cared about.

Gus Yeager

I have played a grand total of fifteen minutes worth of the Minecraft video game. I have watched 141 minutes worth of “A Minecraft Movie.” Therefore, I am not an authority on this one. It was pretty funny, though.

Connor McLean, News Editor

This gross misrepresentation of Minecraft blows my mind. Minecraft has rules. You have a set list of items that can be found or crafted, and that’s that. The little boy who came from the real world into the Overworld is supposedly the most creative kid ever. He combined iron, wood, tater tots and some batteries and got a lethal weapon. How dumb is that? While the movie left me wanting more, the theater experience was phenomenal. Lela and Amanda — sitting to my left and right, respectively — got covered in soda when “chicken jockey” happened. I did not. This is because I approached the movie with good karmic balance and an incredibly open mind, while they both had hatred in their hearts.

Kelly Hammaren, Director of Photography

I approached “A Minecraft Movie” with a bad attitude. I understood the film was going to be predominantly brainrot, but I had not expected the lack of plot and character progression. The atmosphere in the theatre was, however, electric, and it was incredibly charming to see the span of generations that came out to the theater on a Friday evening to watch “A Minecraft Movie.” Regarding the actual design and animation of the film, I find myself wishing there was a better distinction between the aspects of the Overworld that they decided to keep block-like and those they chose to depict as ultra-realistic. However, the goal of the movie is to be lighthearted and fun, and I found myself smiling in the theater even at the lamest of jokes.