the minecraft movie was good

(SPOILERS IMMINENT, I AM NOT OVER THIS MOVIE)

i saw the movie last night with some friends and let me tell you, i was not expecting much. i was honestly expecting something obviously cheesy and cash-grabby but still somewhat enjoyable in a so bad it's good kind of way. and yeah, it was cheesier than the crappy cheese dip my nachos came with, but i was genuinely hooked a third of the way in. watch me try and explain why in a convoluted, kinda all over the place way lol.

for starters, even though the cast were very obviously cranked to eleven in terms of personalities (especially Natalie, imo), i still found them enjoyable and they all had some very good moments. the scene of the piglins invading the village especially managed to establish the group's 'playstyles', i guess, very well. Garret constantly trying (and failing) to look cool despite not knowing what he's doing, Harry using his smarts/creativity to his advantage, Natalie being a competent fighter despite her being terrified out her mind, and Dawn staying level-headed and relying on the environment/creatures around her.

Steve was also pretty great. While I wish he was a lil closer to how he is in game, there really is a certain charm in this version with how much he clearly cares for the overworld and his new friends. not much to say really. Jack Black definitely made his role work wonderfully and had so much banter with the other cast members. that bit near the end where Malgosha kept trying to sneak a final stab in and he kept foiling her was brilliant just for her committment to the bit alone.

i do feel the pacing was a lil odd, things felt very disconnected even if they weren't supposed to be, but i can live with it. the greenscreening in some scenes (especially the elytra chase) was also kinda awkward, but i honestly feel that made the movie slightly better. gave it an older feel, more like a fanmade passion project than a multi-million dollar movie.

the ending sequence was amzing as well. as cliche as it was, i couldn't help but feel happy for the group. they finally felt like they could be themselves in the real world without judgement, especially Steve. the villager falling in love was also kinda funny but tbh i didn't care for that sideplot much. the end-credits scene with Alex had me screaming "YES" in the cinema, which i never do tbh, and the overall message of 'be yourself and be creative, no matter what' was also a good one to leave the cinema with.

the cameos were great too. technoblade being mentioned was neat. surprised they had mumbo as a consultant for the movie but yknow what good for him.

oh yeah also steve x garret otp of the year

tl;dr: it's not great, but it's good enough to have had me stimming throughout. good movie for a sick/depression day, but wouldn't watch all the time if you want something breathtaking.