New Minecraft Film Trailer Receives Mixed Review
Warner Brothers has received backlash after releasing the first official trailer for the film A Minecraft Movie based on the popular game.
Released on September 4, audience reactions towards the trailer have mainly ranged from feeling “disappointed” and “robbed” to the project being “absolute trash” and “the worst thing to happen to cinema in 2024.” Set to be released in the spring of 2025, the long-awaited trailer was met with anticipation and distaste.
The beloved video game turned film is scratching heads worldwide with its choice of graphics, actors, costumes, and most of all, live-action quality. Categorically classified as the best-selling video game of all time, the concept of turning the product into a film was understandable.
Talks of a Minecraft film have circulated since 2014, but it wasn’t until recently that the idea was finally picked up by a production studio in 2023. Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming had been delayed and finished wrapping up in April of 2024. Kickstarting the project with a whopping budget of $150 million and an A-list cast, it was expected to succeed in audience engagement. However, based on the trailer, public involvement has been nothing short of pessimistic.
Garnering 33 million views at the moment and more than 1 million dislikes on YouTube three days after its release, many fans are dissatisfied with the plot, CGI, cast, and outfits. Although there have been positive and negative statements, the trailer analytics represent how online audiences interpret the news.
‘A MINECRAFT MOVIE’ trailer surpassed 1 Million dislikes on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/WgWecURoPp
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) September 8, 2024
The film will center around four misfits who are cast into the Overworld and in order to return to their real world, they recruit the aid of the skilled craftsman Steve. Also known as the blue-shirted face of the Minecraft franchise, Steve and the others employ their creative abilities to get past obstacles like the iconic Piglins and zombies.
pic.twitter.com/QEdzGnYKWn Four misfits Henry, Natalie, Dawn, and Garret are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal to a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination
— Minecraft Movie News (@MCmovie_news) September 8, 2024
With an all-star cast including Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Jack Black (School of Rock), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie), Emma Myers (Wednesday), and many more, the actors introduce themselves as characters from the world of Minecraft. With Jack Black as the main character, Steve, and Jason Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, there are still many celebrities whose characters are yet to be named.
Many are quick to comment on the production choices of costumes, CGI cubes, and live-action characters mixed with animation. With the human characters thrown into a pseudo-blocky world, fans had hoped for an animated film based on the graphics of the original game.
The Minecraft movie costumes are so bad I can just sneak in a character from Concord without you noticing https://t.co/V7ZhdyRNZF pic.twitter.com/oyab72hgIg
— Morchel ➡️ TwitchCon (@morchel) September 5, 2024
they got the johnny test cosplay in the minecraft movie pic.twitter.com/Syhx2JLA32
— Lolwutburger (comms closed) (@lolwutburger) September 4, 2024
The comment section of the trailer is comprised of harsh and seemingly dissatisfied remarks, however, some fans have taken to social media to vocalize their excitement. Aside from the plot, many have praised the video’s visuals and how they “got the look right.” Additionally, the famous cast has brought in buzz from the internet, with individuals looking forward to how they will bring these characters to life.
Despite discouraging criticism, there is no doubt that the film will make millions in box office revenue. Adapting video games into films and using real characters has been done repeatedly. While the substantial amount of abrasive opinions circulating on social media, it won’t stop fans of the game, children, and doubters from seeing the picture themselves.
