GamesAdventureMinecraftMinecraft movieThe Minecraft movie is drawing the most dangerous comparison imaginable, as viewers invoke the Borderlands movie and its $90 million box office failureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAdventureMinecraftMinecraft movieThe Minecraft movie is drawing the most dangerous comparison imaginable, as viewers invoke the Borderlands movie and its $90 million box office failureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
The first trailer for Jack Black’sMinecraft moviedropped yesterday, and it wasn’t long before viewers started drawing unfortunate comparisons to one of the biggest cinematic flops of the year.
Even at first glance, I can spot several issues with the Minecraft movie from its first trailer. Perhaps the most apparent is Jack Black’s Steve, who very much appears to simply be Jack Black in a blue t-shirt (and while we’re discussing the work of the wardrobe department, I’ve got to mention Jason Momoa’s shaggy bangs/pink blazer combo).Another is the fate of the animals, who in the studio’s pursuit of Minecraft’s blocky style look like the result of that first Sonic trailer- you know, before the blue blur’s extensive redesign.
There’s also a lot to be said about the fact that despite this being a ‘live-action’ adaptation, there’s not a huge amount of ‘live’ beyond that major cast. The vast, vast majority of this film appears to have been filmed against greenscreen, and while that might be true of a number of major blockbusters, it’s particularly apparent here.
Overall, it’s not gone down particularly well, and that’s drawn immediate comparisons to another recent video game movie. The shadow of Borderlands certainly hangs over Minecraft, and it’s not taken viewers long to draw attention to that.
“Borderlands is the ugliest looking video game movie”Minecraft movie trailer drops pic.twitter.com/NCJefKuOb0September 4, 2024
“Borderlands is the ugliest looking video game movie”Minecraft movie trailer drops pic.twitter.com/NCJefKuOb0September 4, 2024
150 million dollar budget for this?We may have another Borderlands movie https://t.co/IgPbZW36nu pic.twitter.com/DAoPu1A8PwSeptember 4, 2024
150 million dollar budget for this?We may have another Borderlands movie https://t.co/IgPbZW36nu pic.twitter.com/DAoPu1A8PwSeptember 4, 2024
Nevertheless, comparisons to one of the worst-rated films of the entire year can’t be something that the likes of Black, Momoa, and director Jared Hess were hoping for. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is expected to release in April 2025, and I can confirm I will not be seated, even as it inevitably draws in box office takings to rival theSuper Mario Bros movie’s record game adaptation revenue.
Time for a palette cleanse?Just watch the Sonic 3 trailer instead.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”