A lively debate surrounds the quality of “A Minecraft Movie,” with some critics championing its merits while others deem its humor and ambitions too juvenile. Yet, one cannot overlook the distinct touch that director Jared Hess has infused into this cinematic venture, which has emerged as one of the year’s notable box office successes. Renowned for his work on quirky comedies like “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre,” Hess excels in crafting narratives centered around eccentric characters navigating larger-than-life scenarios. This storytelling approach draws parallels to the iconic blockbusters helmed by Steven Spielberg during his golden era, making it fitting that “A Minecraft Movie” includes a clever nod to one of Spielberg’s classic sci-fi masterpieces.
A Minecraft Movie references Close Encounters of the Third Kind in its opening scene
The film opens with Jack Black’s character, Steve, reflecting on his childhood dreams of exploring the mines. In a memorable line that resonated with audiences, he expresses his youthful yearning, only to find himself trapped in the mundane existence of a doorknob salesman. A pivotal moment occurs during his lunch break when, while preparing a TV dinner, he shapes his mashed potatoes into a mineshaft, reigniting his childhood aspirations.
This whimsical epiphany is a direct homage to a pivotal scene in Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” where protagonist Roy Neary, played by Richard Dreyfuss, becomes obsessed with UFOs and crafts mashed potatoes to resemble Devils Tower. Just as Roy is drawn to the mysterious allure of the unknown, Steve is compelled to explore the depths of the mineshaft he once longed for. This reference not only enriches “A Minecraft Movie” but also echoes similar parodies found in “The Simpsons” and “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “UHF.”
Jared Hess has acknowledged Steven Spielberg’s influence on his films
The clever nod to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” underscores the significant influence that Steven Spielberg’s films have had on Jared Hess’s work. Hess has openly recognized the impact of another Spielberg classic, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” on his adaptation of the beloved video game. In a Letterboxd post, he shared a list of ten films that shaped “A Minecraft Movie,” praising “E.T.” as a “perfect film” and highlighting the BMX chase as his favorite cinematic moment.
The playful energy of certain chase sequences in “A Minecraft Movie” reflects Hess’s admiration for Spielberg’s ability to create captivating spectacles. With its release now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital HD, and streaming exclusively on HBO Max, “A Minecraft Movie” invites audiences to experience its unique blend of humor and homage to classic cinema.
