Local cinema as yet unscathed by ‘Minecraft’ movie mayhem

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS
The global trend of movie-goers making a mess of theatres during A Minecraft Movie has not reached Central Otago.

Central Cinema co-chairwoman Tracy Blackwell said the cinema had not experienced any issues with customers’ behaviour during screenings.

The viral trend sees movie-goers throw popcorn and yell when the film’s main character, played by Jack Black, says the line "chicken jockey", in reference to the rare in-game occurrence of a baby zombie riding on the back of a chicken.

At some screenings around the world, fireworks were launched and one movie-goer even took a live chicken to hoist in the air during the frenzy.

The behaviour has caused concern at cinemas overseas as it disrupts the film for other viewers and creates a mess to be cleaned up before the next showing.

Ms Blackwell said feedback received from cinema volunteers about the screening was nothing but positive as most of the audiences attending screenings of the film were younger children accompanied by their parents.

Some staff did discuss what to do if things got unruly, but did not have to put any plans into action as the audiences were well-behaved, she said.