Mike, it is a fact. After several postponements, and seeming to be just memes, it has come to the point where he finally goes big-screen for the best-selling game in the world. As to their Twitter, it’s time to score some tickets to what may well end up being the grandest cinematic event this year, if not for the whole decade ahead, and blast off with this pixelation-grought adventure (pickaxe final).
If not entirely underwhelming, then meaningful: the official Minecraft account sharing creeds alongside a poster that could as easily have been stolen right from the dream of a creeper. The caption? Short, sweet, and to the point: “#MinecraftMovie is out now!” followed shortly by a link to get tickets. There are no trailers. Not even the last-minute delay. Just pure, strong go watch it vibe. And frankly? What a breath of fresh air after years.
Having said that, however, it has one of the strangest rollercoaster rides of movie development going in video game adaptations. Announced in 2014, it saw different directors, almost continuous rewrites of the script and an entire tone change along its path.
There was a time when Steve Carell was set to star in a live-action version. Then it became whatever this gloriously animated thing is. Its very existence feels like a miracle.
But the vital question is, how well will it really be able to perform? Mixed is the initial reception. The thing is a love letter to those who play the game, while there are some who apparently cast sideways glances at the plot (something about a lone teenage boy with loser friends trying to save the Overworld?).
But the cherry on the cake would be the casting: a blocky Jason Momoa as a warrior? Jack Black… playing Jack Black? Maybe this will just about be enough to fill some seats.
And the time- that is bold. Right in the middle of the summer blockbuster season; Deadpool & Wolverine are still running strong, Despicable Me 4 is squeezing the last pennies from all minion lovers, and now… Minecraft? It’s either going to be an underdog or get crushed here with no in-between.
It is sure to be an online warzone. Now all those replies under the tweet announcing it would be facing each other between `best movie ever’ vs `this killed my childhood`. And that, honestly, is half the fun. This thing is supposed to be here and whether it’s a masterpiece or a mess, throw in some snacks from the theatre, dodge the creepers in the parking lot, and tell us-was it worth the wait?
(And if you see someone in full diamond armor at your local AMC… no you didn’t.)
