“The Dark Knight Rises” opens to packed midnight showings at Celebration Cinema

The final installment of the Batman Trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises” premiered to a packed house Thursday night at Celebration Cinema, 4935 E. Pickard St.

With Director Christopher Nolan’s closing Batman film being ranked as one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year, theater staff knew midnight screenings were going to be huge.

“We sold over 800 tickets in three to four weeks,” said Chris Couling, general manager of Celebration Cinemas. “We estimate about 1000 people will be there.”

Four of five midnight showings were completely sold-out. Tickets were also available for $25 to attend the Dark Knight Marathon, a showing of both the trilogy’s earlier films, “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.” The marathon started at 6 p.m. and ending with the third and final film in the trilogy.

The long line for midnight showings started forming all the way out the theater doors at around 10 p.m. Some fans even dressed in costume for the occasion, and were rewarded with free posters, courtesy of Celebration Cinemas.

One of these caped crusaders was Jamie Diener of Hemlock. Diener was decked out in full regale, with cape and cowl to boot.

He said the first film followed the comics well. The second did not, he said, but was still a great movie.

“My expectations for this movie aren’t too high, because of how good the last one
was,” Diener said. “So far, it looks like they are not doing Bane’s character the same
as in the comics, but we’ll see.”

The theaters were already filling an hour before previews even began. Nathan Wirebaugh from Toledo, Ohio was among fans who sat over an hour in his theater to ensure a good seat for the show.

“I expect this one to be about as good and pretty similar to the last movie,” Wirebaugh said. “I’m curious to see if Bane lines up with the comic book.”

After the 166-minute-long Batman finale, movie-goers spilled out of the theater at around 3 a.m., chatting excitedly about the epic they had just witnessed.

For Wirebaugh, it was a fulfilling finish.

“I loved it,” he said. “I was happy with the ending, but to really
appreciate it, I’ll probably have to go back and watch it again.”