By Nell Geraets
A chicken jockey is an extremely rare and dangerous thing. The jockey – a zombie baby – is fast and lethal enough, but riding a chicken? It’s murderous.
So when it appears in A Minecraft Movie, it is sending fans wild. So wild that warnings have been added, and in some cases screenings have stopped. Not that cinemas or the film’s director object.
Since landing in theatres on April 3, A Minecraft Movie has seen extreme reactions from predominantly teen crowds, including screaming, throwing popcorn and toilet paper, dancing and jumping on friends’ shoulders. One person even brought an actual live chicken.
Screaming, dancing, throwing popcorn: screenings of A Minecraft Movie are not for the faint-hearted.
Excitment reaches a fever pitch during a scene in which a baby zombie hops on the back of a chicken, creating a “chicken jockey” – a very dangerous creature in the Minecraft game.
Reactions have become so intense that UK cinemas have issued warnings that anti-social behaviour would result in removal from theatres. US cinemas have even reportedly called the police.
Head of marketing at Moving Story Entertainment Jaymes Durante says no screenings have been paused at the Lido, Cameo or Ritz cinemas. However, the company has increased staffing following “exuberant” reactions.
“We immediately decided to put a slide on screen before the film and signage in our foyers to warn audiences against extreme and inappropriate conduct like vandalism, flash photography and disruptive behaviour,” Durante says.
“Shouting during certain lines, cheering and laughing among friends is encouraged – we’re not the fun police. But throwing glassware is where we draw the line.”
Benjamin Zeccola, chief executive of Palace Cinemas, agrees. He says the movie has been fun. “Our staff are loving the audience participation and engagement, yet dreading the clean-up.” He also notes theatres contain valuable equipment that shouldn’t become collateral damage.
“Each cinema screen is worth about $50,000. Damage to it could literally bankrupt an independent cinema,” Zeccola says. “So, people, players, mobs, chickens, everyone – please have a great time, but don’t disrespect the screen.”
Cinema Association Australasia executive director Cameron Mitchell says the response reminds him of participatory screenings of cult classics, like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Minions in 2022, when teens showed up dressed in suits, or Barbie, when cinemas became a sea of pink.
“The cinema industry locally is supportive of anything that enhances the cinema-going experience. A theatre that’s full of passionate, enthusiastic fans only acts to enhance and amplify the enjoyment.”
The chicken jockey became a meme in February, after it appeared in the trailer. Audiences were therefore primed.
Director Jared Hess says it’s been a blast. “I’m just laughing my brains out every time someone sends me a new video,” he told the New York Times.
The movie sees four misfits pulled into a cubic realm where they meet master crafter Steve (Jack Black), who helps them battle foes and return home.
Despite middling reviews, it sold over a million tickets at Australian cinemas in its first week alone.
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