"A Minecraft Movie" has captivated students at Latin since its release on April 4, transforming ordinary conversations into epic recitals of “Diamond Armor: Full Set,” “First we mine, then we craft,” and “Flint and Steel!” The film's viral nature has sparked debates more heated than any math or history class, as students dissect the philosophical depth of blocky adventures.
Sophomore Sadie Cohen saw the movie a week after it came out. “I went to spend time with my friends, but also because I had seen it everywhere online beforehand,” she said.
The “Minecraft” viral online circulation sent Latin students into a buzz. Before seeing it, Sadie felt left out of the Latin community’s new favorite reference.
“I felt like I needed to be in on the inside joke,” she said. “Everyone’s been so crazy about it, and I needed to see for myself.”
After watching the movie, Sadie has since referenced “A Minecraft Movie” every chance she gets and relishes in the laughter of her peers. She even used a “Minecraft” reference as the closing line in the recent Advanced Improv Company show.
“A Minecraft Movie” left such an impact on the student body that even those who never saw the movie learned all the lines anyway. Sophomore Stofer Stineman said, “I never saw the movie, but all of the lines like ‘Chicken Jockey’ and ‘water bucket release’ were so funny for a few weeks.”
Although many students rushed to the theaters to catch a screening, others felt that they had no reason to see it because of its ubiquity online. Clips of the movie were made into memes and circulated all over social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, leading junior Graham Snyder to never see the movie in theaters.
“The internet turned the movie into a massive meme, ” freshman Arlo Heltzer said. “I knew half the lines of the movie before it even started, which I didn’t like.”
The viral internet trends surrounding the movie have had wild effects. Teens nationwide flocked to theaters to experience what are considered must-see jokes in the revered “Minecraft” movie. The highlight? Experiencing the legendary “Chicken Jockey” line, which has led to watchers throwing popcorn around the theater.
However, teens participating in the popcorn trend in Arlo’s theater detracted from his movie experience.
“There were tons of teens going crazy after each internet-famous line, so much so that kids were getting kicked out before the movie even really started,” Arlo said. “It was pretty crazy in there.”
Similar experiences were not uncommon in the Latin community. Sophomore Sofie Munive also observed the biggest movie trend in years in her theater.
“I watched the people right behind me get kicked out,” Sofie said. “They were throwing popcorn at Chicken Jockey. I'm glad I wasn’t a part of it, but it was really funny to see.”
While the chaotic theater antics and over-the-top corniness can be considered major faults of “A Minecraft Movie,” senior Abdon Valenciana found a deeper meaning in its blocky world. In what some may consider an act of defiance to the criticism, Abdon believed the corny humor in the movie was not a flaw but an intentional stroke of genius.
“I had a good time. I actually enjoyed the movie, unlike others I heard about,” Abdon said. “I thought that the corny humor and bad jokes added to the movie, and I had a good time because I didn’t go to see a masterpiece; I went for a kids' movie.”
Anyone seeking a masterpiece in “A Minecraft Movie” was usually disappointed. Arlo summed it up: “Only a little bit of Jack Black magic saved the movie.”
Yet for Abdon and Sadie, embracing the cringe turned mediocrity into an experience to remember.
“I thought that the movie was really cringey, but that added to the humor,” Sadie said. “My favorite part was the ‘Chicken Jockey’ line, even though it was obviously cringey, because I just laughed at the ridiculousness.”
Through all of the mixed reviews, the love and the hate, and the absurd lines, “A Minecraft Movie” still brought joy to viewers, even if they didn’t love it. For some, “A Minecraft Movie” was just another fleeting trend—a whimsical diversion. For others, it was a portal to the past, stirring up cherished memories of pixelated adventures with friends.
Arlo said, “Even though I didn’t love the movie, something about seeing Minecraft on the big screen really brought out the kid in me,” Arlo said.
