Jack Black’s ‘Steve’s Lava Chicken’ Sparks Mixed Reactions in Minecraft Movie

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 — Jack Black’s latest contribution to the animated world of Minecraft has struck a chord with fans, but a recent 50-second clip labeled as the ‘official music video’ for ‘Steve’s Lava Chicken’ leaves viewers divided. Released by Warner Bros., the video is not a standalone musical piece but rather a snippet of the character Steve singing within the narrative of the film.

In ‘A Minecraft Movie‘, Steve, voiced by Black, delivers several spontaneous songs throughout his adventures. However, none of these moments culminate in full musical numbers, which has left fans curious about the film’s portrayal of music and its purpose. The quick clip has garnered buzz, particularly for how it mirrors Black’s prior theatrical performances.

Petrana Radulovic, a pop culture critic, remarked, “After the huge spectacle that was the ‘Peaches’ video, I was kinda expecting more from an ‘official’ Jack Black music video!” Tasha Robinson, another reviewer, echoed this sentiment, saying, “This is just straight-up a clip from the movie, no additional music or context or footage.” Both critics expressed a longing for a more substantial musical production from Black.

In ‘A Minecraft Movie’, Steve’s bursts of song form a unique character trait, emphasizing his quirky personality in a world filled with villagers who communicate in a series of murmur-like sounds. Radulovic commented on Steve’s character, stating, “He’s kind of a maniacal weirdo who isn’t used to being around other people.” This trait allows Black to showcase his comedic talents in a less conventional way.

Some critics speculate that the film’s creators aimed to capitalize on the virality of Black’s previous musical releases without fully committing to the musical structure. Robinson noted, “I feel like there’s enough pause between the singing and any other dialogue to perfectly cut for viral clips.” This observation about the film’s pacing could indicate a deliberate strategy to create shareable content for social media platforms.

Despite the mixed reactions to the clip, Black’s infectious energy remains a highlight. As Robinson pointed out, “Jack Black feels like he’s embracing everything about his energy… Whenever I want a pick-me-up, I go back to his performance in ‘Tacky’ and just revel in how much he projects self-ownership and pride.”

However, both reviewers expressed disappointment with the brevity of the clip and the lack of expectations set by Warner Bros. regarding its content. Radulovic stated, “They should know better! Label it an ‘official clip’ and set those expectations low.”

In a playful twist, Robinson posed a humorous question that Steve’s character faces in the film: “Would you eat the lava chicken?” to which Radulovic replied, “It looks real good, even in its blocky shape.” This reflects the creativity embedded within Minecraft’s food representations, even as the movie navigates the nuances of music.

As fans ponder the creative choices behind Steve’s musical moments, the community continues to engage with the film’s content, leaving room for discussion and anticipation of future projects featuring Jack Black.