video game Archives

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Minecraft film made $313m in opening weekend

The A Minecraft Movie has generated 3 million in global revenue, with 3 million coming from the United States. The film's international performance contributed an additional 0 million to its overall earnings. Mary Parent, chair of Legendary Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for the film's success, noting its cultural connection.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ exceeds box-office expectations, breaks records

Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie," featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, earned million in the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend, nearly doubling initial projections. The film is expected to add another million from international markets. It has set a new record for video game adaptations, surpassing "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which earned million earlier this year. Directed by Jared Hess, the film has a 47% positive rating from critics on RottenTomatoes.com and an 86% audience score. The story follows four heroes who are transported into the Minecraft world and must navigate challenges to return home.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Stars and Director Unpack Its Songs and ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ References

The upcoming "A Minecraft Movie" features a connection to Jared Hess' "Napoleon Dynamite," sharing elements of humor and personal experiences from Hess’ Idaho upbringing. The film stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge, with Coolidge portraying a lovesick vice principal. Hess notes that llamas are a humorous aspect in both films, and Jesse Ehrman from Warner Bros Pictures highlights Hess' ability to appeal to both young and adult audiences. Momoa draws inspiration from his childhood, while Black showcases his musical talents with songs like "Steve’s Lava Chicken." Danielle Brooks, although not performing musically in this film, expresses interest in future opportunities for musical collaboration.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

A Minecraft Movie Review: An Imaginative Family Fun Adventure

The recently released A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess and features a whimsical and campy aesthetic. The plot follows a quirky group of characters, including an eccentric video game store owner, two grieving siblings, and an aspiring petting zoo entrepreneur, as they embark on a classic fantasy quest in the Overworld. Jack Black voices the iconic avatar Steve, while Jason Momoa plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a comedic lead. The film effectively translates the game's blocky aesthetic into a vibrant cinematic experience, with detailed environments and action sequences that reference in-game mechanics. However, it faces pacing issues, particularly in the middle act, and sometimes struggles to balance humor with emotional storytelling. The movie appeals primarily to fans of Minecraft but remains accessible to newcomers, incorporating Easter eggs without overwhelming them.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ is on-track for a $135M opening weekend

The big screen adaptation of Minecraft has made a significant debut, earning millions on its opening Friday and is projected to reach 5 million by the end of the weekend, potentially setting a new benchmark for 2023. If these projections hold, it would surpass “Captain America: Brave New World,” which earned .8 million in February, and provide a boost to the domestic box office, which is down 7% year-over-year. The film, directed by Jared Hess and featuring stars like Jason Momoa and Jack Black, creatively introduces human characters into the Minecraft world, despite the game's lack of a defined storyline. The film's performance mirrors that of “The Super Mario Brothers Movie,” which also faced mixed reviews but achieved box office success. This opening weekend is encouraging for Warner Bros., which has faced recent setbacks, and a sequel seems likely.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Review: It’s better than you’d think

Jared Hess is directing A Minecraft Movie, which reflects the game's cultural resonance described as "cringe," appealing to both adults and disenchanted teens. Despite competition from Roblox and Fortnite, Minecraft retains its allure through timeless gameplay that encourages exploration and creativity. The film adaptation has received mixed reactions, with concerns about the necessity of such a project and the history of video game adaptations being fraught with uncertainty. Hess's unique style, characterized by absurdity, invites varied responses from fans and cinephiles. Much of the film takes place in the "overworld," utilizing practical effects and real sets instead of CGI, which adds a tactile quality. The film features crisp action sequences and physical comedy, embracing an adolescent spirit rather than a moralistic narrative. Hess prioritizes the imaginative desires of children over adult expectations, maintaining the film's aesthetic integrity amidst studio pressures.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

A Minecraft Movie (Christian Movie Review)

A Minecraft Movie is a family adventure film that emphasizes creativity and features over 300 million copies sold of the Minecraft video game, making it the best-selling game of all time. The film includes human characters, diverging from the game's core appeal, and takes inspiration from Jumanji. The narrative improves once characters enter The Overworld, with Jason Momoa's performance being entertaining and Jack Black contributing three songs. However, the film lacks significant building moments, which are central to Minecraft's essence. Directed by Jared Hess, it maintains a lighthearted tone with mild profanity and some quasi-sexual humor. The film's central theme is about nurturing individual creativity and its positive impact on the world, with characters seeking to reignite their creative sparks in a vibrant world.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

When and Where to Stream ‘A Minecraft Movie’

Steve is on a mission to save the Overworld from Malgosha in A Minecraft Movie, which features a cast including Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen. The film debuted in theaters on April 4, 2024, with early screenings starting August 3. Tickets are available for theater viewing, while home viewing will be possible a few weeks after the theatrical release, streaming on Max and other platforms like Prime Video, iTunes, Fandango at Home, YouTube, and Google Play. The movie will also be released in physical formats, including DVD, Blu-ray, and a limited edition 4K HD Ultra Steelbook.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ director calls Jason Momoa a ‘big dork’

Jason Momoa plays Garrett "The Garbageman" Garrison in the upcoming live-action film "A Minecraft Movie," which also stars Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge. Director Jared Hess highlighted Momoa's comedic side, noting his playful portrayal in a pink leather jacket and a "Gamer of the Year, 1989" badge. The film features Momoa's character navigating the Minecraft "Overworld" with Black's character, Steve. Hess mentioned the chemistry between Momoa and Black, who had mutual admiration for each other. Jennifer Coolidge's character accidentally hits a Minecraft villager with her car, leading to a romantic twist. Hess praised Coolidge's comedic talent, while producer Torfi Frans Ólafsson shared that the cast struggled to maintain professionalism due to laughter, especially during Coolidge's improvisations. The film is currently playing in theaters.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

ESA warns of impact of Trump tariffs on games industry

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has expressed concerns about tariffs implemented by former President Donald Trump, which could significantly harm the U.S. video game industry by raising hardware prices due to the global sourcing of components from countries like Vietnam and China. ESA's senior vice president, Aubrey Quinn, highlighted that many products consumers buy may be subject to multiple tariffs, leading to increased costs. Quinn described the situation regarding relocating manufacturing jobs to the U.S. as complicated, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of decisions affecting consumers, businesses, and employees. The tariffs include a 46 percent tax on goods from Vietnam and a combined levy and duty of 54 percent on imports from China, posing challenges for the industry in maintaining affordability and accessibility for consumers.