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Typically when it comes to movie adaptations of beloved games, it is rather hard to appeal to everyone. There are two different audiences; one being your average person being to see the newest release, then you got those who are knowledgeable of the source, and wish to see it come to the silver screens.

Often times, it can be hard to balance out the two people. These films often times play too hard into references, cameos and nods. Reverence to the source is a vital factor for these films. Showing much needed respect and love for the source is needed to appeal for the very reason you exist - being a faithful adaptation.

However, these can easily clog the creative minds of it's creators, often leading to a movie that has heart, but without soul. Being more concerned with reference points than telling a genuine story that can touch not just the game enthusiasts, but your average person, who may not understand.

Say, if Sonic the Hedgehog (1-3) mastered subtle references; small little things that don't change the trajectory of the story, but still serve as a momentary treat for the fans, then A Minecraft Movie embodies the antithesis of this.

Asides from Black and Momoa's entertaining exuberance, A Minecraft Movie is thoroughly dull in both character and story. Further exacerbating this would be the frequent homages to it's source. This isn't offensive by itself, but the story typically hinges on these artifacts and items from the video game to further the story.

These items in question aren't explained and are simply passed off as crucial plot points because they're useful in the source material. The average filmgoer isn't going to know what these things are, and will be left confused. It actively lets the references control the story. Many instances exist within A Minecraft Movie where the characters need to do something, they use a reference to get it done and then never speak of it again. That is the depth that the film runs on. One that factors the fans, but absolutely no one else.

The film takes no time to elaborate much on our protagonists before being shoved into new world. We only receive faint cliff notes, which aren't enough to get a grasp on their characters to a deep extent. Steve (Jack Black) doesn't work as a convincing survivalist, because everything he ever does relies on Easter Eggs rather than proper tenacity or smarts. And the villain, Malgosha's motivations are hollow, nonsensical and are even dismissed towards the third act. She more so serves as a generic bad guy who sends grunts to do the hard work rather than making an impact herself.

Dismissing the nightmarish animation, (Full animation would've served better) A Minecraft Movie is rather ironic. It's a grand adventure with a witty group of characters, out to stop the big bad from doing bad things. This remarkably, is far from original and is further hurt by the shallow characters, plot and worldbuilding. It is a contradiction of itself. In the vain effort to create a story centered around the power of creativity, the movie is remarkably shallow.

This is disappointing considering that it's message being that being creative and unique isn't inherently bad - it's how you go about it that matters. You can either be Steve and use your smarts to accomplish great things, or become apathetic like Malgosha, and come to despise innovation (Even if in film it's conveyed rather poorly.) This is a great central theme, but A Minecraft Movie is too concerned with the next, fleeting reference to consider it.

No doubt, the enthusiasts will revel with the nods to the game, and it still on its own is an entertaining film, but those who are embarking to find an experience that'll make them think, had better look elsewhere; A Minecraft Movie isn't the creative endeavor they're looking for.

If the Terrifier (2016) sponsored style over substance, than it's successor, Terrifier 2 manages to balance out both worlds. This is a (mostly) good instance of taking issues on board from last time, and aiming to rectify them; the result is a bloody fun horror film that actively fills in (most of) the bore holes left by it's predecessor.

We have established, (albeit not the deepest) characters are played well, (Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullam) have more purpose than to be brutalized, and overall far more interesting and give us far more worries when the demonic Art shows up. Art himself, is still utter perfection, the formula of being an unpredictable, malevolent entity is still reinforced by a fantastic David Howard Thornton, and is still the highlight, but this is even without taking away from the central cast, the result is a far more enthralling narrative that we can invest in thanks to these characters.

And of course, the violence is still the central selling point. The excessive brutality is so drawn out, it almost becomes humorous after a while; those needy for a blood fix will revel in the fountains of guts. Similarly to last time, the gore here is innovative and creative on levels that shouldn't even be possible - even exceeding the already visceral Terrifer.

While the narrative may be feeble, the characters, gore splatter and unrelenting violence and dramas will keep you invested throughout most of the film. Just be sure to not pay attention to exsanguination too much, than the tortures become silly and illogical. Terrifier 2 is a fine example of a sequel. Take everything wrong about the first installment and find a way to improve it, and in Terrifier 2's case it greatly succeeds, managing to support substance and style. Just make sure to take a vomit bag, just in case.