I Expected \”Barbie\” to Be Fun, but \”A Minecraft Movie\” Is Hilariously Superior

Could a movie based on a video game truly outshine the marketing powerhouse that was \’Barbie\’? According to the box office numbers, the answer is yes, and the reason behind this success is simple—it’s hilariously entertaining.

As a mother of two sons who play Minecraft, ages 10 and 14, I was certain that like many parents, I would end up seeing
A Minecraft Movie
On the opening weekend, I had modest expectations because, having seen nearly every children’s film out there, I am aware that for each enjoyable one,
Moana)
, there’s a real dud
Moana 2
).

However, I had absolutely no idea what to anticipate from this particular theater since, as opposed to
Barbie
The promotion before this film seemed notably lacking, at least from my perspective. I wasn’t inundated with trailers, posters, merchandise, or branded apparel. (That said, since I’ve spent quite a bit on Minecraft-themed t-shirts and Creeper onesies over the years, Mojang Studios, consider that you already have my funds.)

Everything I truly understood about the movie was that it contained
Jack Black
and
Jason Momoa
In this film—two performers who typically excel but can also falter with poor writing. Given that six screenwriters are credited, I thought that might be what the movie suffered from.
a lot
Of rewrites, which is never a positive indication.

Related:
The Cherished YouTube Star Who Passed Away From Cancer at 23: How
A Minecraft Movie
Pays Tribute to Technoblade

Picture my astonishment and joy when I spent the entire 1 hour and 40 minutes genuinely roaring with laughter.
A Minecraft Movie
. It was really tough. Especially when the jokes were aimed directly at me—the 47-year-old mom with absolutely zero experience playing the game—while my children chuckled heartily beside me at Minecraft-related puns meant for their age group. (“Chicken jockey!”) The audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s already outperformed
Barbie\’s
The opening weekend box office figures stood at $163 million, as reported.
Box Office Mojo
.

But is it truly
better
Then Barbie? I believe so. Listen to my reasoning.

Barbie
was fashionable, lively, and conveyed a message about womanhood adorned with a bubblegum-colored bow. It was incredibly enjoyable, but was it
funny
?

Not really. I don\’t recall laughing out loud once. There were also times when it kind of dragged. In
Minecraft
I enjoyed a quick-moving storyline that provided clever quips, amusing sexual hints, and, as a bonus, my favorite elements.
Jennifer Coolidge
As a flirtatious divorcée who develops feelings for a Minecraft villager. (Why didn’t we mom types know about her involvement here?! )

The storyline is as it is, quite silly yet straightforward to comprehend.

In this vibrant tale filled with an effervescent surge of vitality and delight, Black embodies the role of Steve, the central figure—a content individual dwelling within a Minecraft universe. Suddenly, his blissful existence takes a dramatic turn when he is apprehended by Malgosha, the malevolent swine ruler from the underworld known as the Nether.

Momoa (amusingly portrayed as a faded \’80s video game champion) teams up with brother Henry (played by Sebastian Eugene Hansen) and sister Natalie (portrayed by Emma Myers).
Danielle Brooks
(The ideal accidental sidekick) finds themselves in the Minecraft universe and ultimately saves the day. The story includes elements of
Goonies
And lots of excitement without resorting to the overused trope of nonstop explosions and mayhem. (I should also mention there’s no cursing? The story stood strong without needing profanity, much like how it didn’t rely on bathroom humor to engage young audiences.)

Unlike
Barbie
There aren’t many emotions to navigate through here. Perhaps that’s what made it attractive. It offered straightforward distraction during a period when such an escape felt necessary. The brother-sister duo are depicted as orphans, with only a brief mention of their mother passing away; beyond this, there are neither sobs nor outbursts of anger. When a humorous remark occurs, the story swiftly transitions to the following scene rather than dwelling on it self-consciously. Instead, it assumes the viewers can appreciate—or dismiss—the humor without further comment.

However, another factor I believe
Minecraft
works? It\’s pretty
weird.

The credit for this probably goes to director Jared Hess, who both penned and directed the similarly eccentric film.
Napoleon Dynamite
.

Minecraft
was just like
Dynamite
In which the strangest and perhaps silliest moments turned out to be the most humorous: The story revolves around protagonists living in a dull town in Idaho, with their primary source of pride being a potato chip factory. Upon the destruction of the factory’s mascot, an elderly lady merely exclaims, “CHIPPY!” And just like that, the scene comes to an end.

It wasn’t supposed to be so hilarious, yet, much like when Napoleon Dynamite offers his Aunt’s llama Tina some ham (“Tina, come get your ham!”), it ended up being incredibly amusing.

(Speaking about llamas, Brook’s character additionally works part-time at a petting zoo where he owns a llama, which might have been
Napoleon Dynamite
Easter egg. I had similar thoughts regarding the tater tots featured in this movie. Hess, please confirm if my observation aligns with yours. However, I should divert from the topic momentarily.)

Related:
10 Hidden Easter Eggs You Probably Overlooked in
A Minecraft Movie
(Featuring a Heartwarming Dedication to a Cherished Athlete!)

As for the
Applause and boos from the crowd
? Super fun.

A few detractors have prohibited teenagers from viewing it unaccompanied, aiming to dampen the excitement surrounding the viral moments and catchphrases. However, I felt these elements enhanced the overall experience and restored the sense of occasion to going to the movies. During the film, I witnessed three separate birthday celebrations within my theater, and seeing the seven-year-olds burst into joyful screams brought tears to my eyes. Both children and adolescents found satisfaction in the content, as did the accompanying adults—all within approximately two hours. Achieving this balance isn’t simple, so well executed indeed.
Minecraft Movie.

I\’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel — provided it doesn’t resemble this one at all.
Moana\’
s.

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Velvet Voque