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The release of A Minecraft Movie has sparked a wave of excitement, bringing back the days when people gathered in theaters to experience films together, rather than watching alone at home. However, the enthusiasm has led to some unexpected issues, including police being called to certain theaters due to overly energetic crowds.
The director of the fantasy action film, Jared Hess, addressed the situation, expressing how “weird” it was that cinemas felt the need to take such drastic measures against fans who were simply enjoying themselves. Social media went wild with viral videos showing young moviegoers cheering, screaming, and tossing popcorn during iconic moments in the movie, like when Jack Black famously shouted, “I am Steve!” or during the “chicken jockey!” scenes. In response, some theaters issued warnings or even called the police to manage what they considered disruptive behavior.
Hess found it amusing, commenting that it seemed strange to him that police were being called over popcorn. He told Entertainment Weekly, “It’s funny because I think it’s just literally cheering and throwing popcorn, which is so funny to me that cops are getting called for popcorn.” He also shared how much he enjoyed seeing fans having so much fun, with some even lifting their friends on their shoulders in celebration.
Reflecting on the joyful reactions, Hess said, “It’s like this crazy anticipation. But, man, I’m just glad people are making memories with their friends and families.” He appreciated how people were returning to cinemas to share the experience, something that has been lost in recent years with the rise of individual screen time and isolation from devices.
While Hess found the fan reactions hilarious, the incidents of police being called showed how much people are starved for collective experiences in public spaces. The director expressed how heartwarming it was to see this sense of togetherness reignited by a fun and goofy movie like A Minecraft Movie. Despite the chaos, he was glad to see audiences reconnecting and making lasting memories at the movies once again.
Theaters, including chains like Cineworld, responded by issuing strict warnings about rowdy behavior, but it’s clear that, for many fans, the joy of a shared cinematic experience was worth the rowdiness.