Minecraft Movie behaviour 'way too funny', director says

The Minecraft Movie's director says he has been "laughing my brains out" at the trend for audience members shouting out, jumping up and down, and in some cases throwing popcorn in the air during screenings.

"It's way too funny," Jared Hess told the New York Times about fans' exuberant reactions to the film, some of which have been widely shared.

The UK Cinema Association this week noted the "exceptional" crowd response to the movie and its characters, but some cinemas have warned that "anti-social behaviour" like loud screaming, clapping and shouting "will not be tolerated".

"It's been a total blast," Hess said. "I'm just laughing my brains out every time someone sends me a new video."

Based on one of the world's best-selling video games, the film tells the story of four misfits pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld - the place where all players start in Minecraft.

Despite underwhelming critics' reviews, the film, which boasts a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge, exceeded expectations by making $300m (£233m) globally at the box office on its opening weekend.

In the film, Momoa's character Garrett Garrison has to battle a baby zombie riding a chicken on the way to finding the orb that can take him back to the real world.

Hess and Black thought it would be funny if Black's character Steve announced everything that happens to him intensely, hence the "Chicken jockey!" meme taking off.

"Jack says it with such passion," said Hess. "Everything that comes out of his mouth in the film is spoken with such authority and seriousness, like this is the most important thing anybody has ever heard in their life.

"I think people just love the craziness of it."

With many young fans joining in, the UK Cinema Association's chief executive Phil Clapp told the BBC this week that most of the behaviour had so far been good-natured.

He said it was "seemingly driven by the desire of young people to share their experiences on social media".

But he did ask "those taking part to be mindful of the enjoyment of other cinema-goers".

A cinema in Staffordshire banned under-18s from attending evening showings without an adult after rowdy behaviour at other screenings went viral on social media, while another picturehouse in Oxfordshire warned customers to behave.

Hess has been buoyed by the overall reaction, however, describing it as "a true party".

"Just the fact that people are making memories at the movies - that's what it's all about," he said. "That's why we do it.

"I never could have anticipated this level of passion and fun and craziness that's happening."

Asked whether he approved of throwing popcorn, he replied: "No-one's going to get hurt from popcorn.

"Look, when I go to the movies with my kids, it's like a popcorn massacre that happens and they're not throwing anything, but it ends up on the ground regardless."

Some videos of fan reactions have even shown police being called to cinemas.

"It's weird when you're having too much fun and the cops get called," Hess 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.

"Yeah, it's hilarious. I've seen so many funny videos. It's great, especially when people are climbing on their friends' shoulders and standing up and cheering for those moments. It's like this crazy anticipation.

"But, man, I'm just glad people are making memories with their friends and families."