Against all odds – or perhaps in perfect harmony with the power of its license – the film Minecraft has made a remarkable start at the global box office. Led by an unlikely but effective duo, Jason Momoa and Jack Black, the film has grossed a staggering $301 million in its first weekend, setting a new record for a video game adaptation. This performance puts many more traditional blockbusters, including Super Mario Bros., into the background. the film, among others.
This dazzling commercial success has not failed to make Hollywood react: a second installment is already being discussed, just a few days after the release of the first film. Jared Hess, director known for Napoleon Dynamite, expressed his enthusiasm at the idea of diving back into this cubic universe with its almost infinite possibilities. In an interview with Deadline, he discusses the many ideas still unexplored, including the more pronounced introduction of the character Alex, briefly teased in the post-credits scene. He says:
Two blocks, two measures
Yet, if the public seems to be there, the specialized critics are far from being won over. The scathing articles are multiplying. Some denounce a plot that is too conventional, a lazy exploitation of the license, or even an aesthetic deemed "indigestible". Others point to an overabundance of clumsy references, excessive fan service intended to delight players without any more narrative coherence.
A gap therefore seems to be opening up between popular reception and the opinion of film professionals. The spectators, for their part, are responding, carried by nostalgia, curiosity or simply the love of a game that has rocked several generations. It must be said that Warner Bros. has not held back on the marketing budget. For several weeks now, the Minecrafts film has been inviting us absolutely everywhere, into our bath thanks to Lush, our gaming accessories via the Razer brand, or even our daily commutes with bus ads.
Whether we like it or not, Minecraft is already making box-office history. It remains to be seen whether the sequel will convince the skeptics or if it will continue to plough the furrow of mainstream success while ignoring negative reviews. In the meantime, the cube is launched – and well, it's going pretty well.
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