A Minecraft Movie, in theaters today, continues the distinct cinematic stylings of filmmaker and BYU graduate Jared Hess in multiple ways, including the use of references to his Latter-Day Saint faith. While the video game-based blockbuster may not be as thoroughly influenced by LDS culture as Hess’s magnum opus Napoleon Dynamite, it still manages to pack in some impressive nods to the Lord’s Church. Without further ado, here are five of the most notable ones that you might have missed.
1. “I…am Steve, having been born of goodly parents.”
Though audiences may simply take read this statement as an expression of how cool Steve’s parents were, scholars of religion believe this line may be a cryptic reference to the iconic opening of the Book of Mormon.
2. Jack Black covers “Praise to the Man” on the film’s soundtrack
Black’s cover, a stirring tribute to the late prophet Joseph Smith, is complete with percussion from Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters and a “fligugigu” chorus arranged by Black and Mack Wilberg.
3. A creeper is seen filling out a BYU mission deferment
At around the thirty-minute mark, a creeper can briefly be seen applying for a deferment from his studies to serve a two-year mission in Idaho, while mumbling about how he wanted to go to Brazil.
4. The Nether is implied to be the Telestial Kingdom
Upon entering the Nether in the film’s climax, Steve says, “The Nether is the lowest of the three degrees of glory. One can liken it to the light of the stars as compared to the moon and the sun, bro!”
5. The entire movie is a remake of Johnny Lingo
According to Hess, A Minecraft Movie adapts the story of the classic 1969 BYU student film beat-for-beat. “It’s really all about Jason Momoa’s character trying to find a perfect eight-sheep wife,” he says.