Let's get one thing straight: A Minecraft Movie was never going to be Citizen Kane. But judging by the first reactions, it wasn't trying to be. Instead, director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre) has crafted something far more intriguing—a film so unapologetically dumb that it wraps back around to genius.
The “Stupid” Consensus
Early social media reactions keep hammering the same word: stupid. Not “lazy.” Not “boring.” Stupid. As in, “stupidly hilarious” (Christopher Mills), “unapologetically stupid” (John Dotson), and “random, stupid, & overall dumb creativeness” (Zach Pope).
But here's the twist—that's not a bug. It's a feature.
Minecraft, the game, thrives on absurdity. It's a world where pigs explode if you feed them carrots wrong, where gravity-defying dirt blocks are a way of life. Hess's film mirrors that chaos, leaning into Jack Black's unhinged charm and Jason Momoa's gloriously weird energy. As Big Screen Berkan put it: “Kids are going to love this movie.” And honestly? Adults might too—if they surrender to the nonsense.
The Jared Hess Effect
Hess's filmography is a masterclass in controlled lunacy. Napoleon Dynamite turned awkward pauses into art. Nacho Libre made wrestling monks iconic. Now, Minecraft lets him weaponize the game's sandbox spirit.
Nick Spake nails it: “It's at its best when it's a Jared Hess movie.” The moment it tries to mimic The Lego Movie or Mario, it stumbles. But when Hess goes full Hess—ridiculous gags, deadpan weirdness, Jennifer Coolidge stealing scenes like a creeper in the night—it sings.
The Jumanji Comparison (And Why It Matters)
Chris Gallardo notes the film's Jumanji vibes, and he's onto something. Both franchises succeed by embracing their own absurdity. Jumanji didn't pretend video game logic was serious; it let The Rock fight a hippo in a helicopter. Minecraft follows suit, with Momoa and Black hamming it up in a world where physics is optional.
The Verdict: Cult Classic Incoming?
Zach Pope predicts Minecraft will become a “cult classic,” and he's probably right. It's not high art. It might not even be “good” by traditional standards. But as Hess's past films prove, “good” is overrated. Fun is forever.
If you're expecting The Godfather of video game movies, stay home. But if you want 90 minutes of gloriously dumb joy—complete with Technoblade tributes and Momoa as a walking meme—grab that Minecraft popcorn bucket.
Stupid has never been this smart.
