The absolute horror of the shooting in an Aurora, Colorado theater screening of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ has not deterred audiences from visiting theaters to see the movie, nor has it seemed to increase theater security. The tragedy has claimed the lives of at least twelve innocent audience members with as many as eleven remaining in critical condition.
The general consensus on the matter from the DePaul University student body was one of immense sadness and disgust towards the alleged masked gunman, twenty four year old James Holmes, who is suspected of entering the theater only minutes into the movie and releasing canisters of smoke before firing multiple rounds of ammunition into the terrified audience.
“I’m deeply saddened that someone could walk in and blow away life like that, but honestly, it could happen anywhere,” said DePaul student Nick Joebgen. “We all take a risk by stepping out of our front doors each day.”
Many DePaul students find the event upsetting but refuse to be fearful of attending screenings. They have gone to see both ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and other screenings since the massacre.
Sophomore Andrew Morrell said he feels bad about the shooting, “but I think it was an entirely random and isolated incident.”
His like-minded peer Kelsey Schroeder is also unafraid. “This was the act of one obviously messed up person and it is not something that is happening across the nation. People should not fear the movies,” she said.
There are, however, students who are afraid to return to the movies or still feel uncomfortable seeing the film. Although this seems to be the unpopular opinion it is not unwarranted — the main anxiety of those not going to see the film fear a copycat shooter. One uneasy moviegoer divulged that she was nervous whenever someone would get up to go to the restroom and whenever there was a scene involving gun violence.
Chicagoan Kaya Gross watched the film in the AMC River East 21 Theater. She remembered seeing news vans and several police officers in front of the theater, which only added to the tension in her movie-going experience. However, she said that once inside the AMC, “There wasn’t really any security. They weren’t even checking bags and I’m pretty sure I didn’t see one police officer…It was weird because I thought that River East was one of the theaters they were cracking down on.”
According to DePaul students, not only do theaters need to crack down on their rules, but also America needs to crack down on its gun laws, which allowed alleged shooter James Holmes to legally obtain his weapons.
The ‘Dark Knight’ is still topping box offices everywhere and has set a record for the “third biggest debut of all time.”
Students remain unafraid to return to the movies whether it is to see ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ or any other film. Even students who were at first hesitant to go ended up being glad that they went.
“The Dark Knight was amazing,” said student Leigh Martin. “I’m glad I went, but I was definitely nervous the first half of the movie. Then I relaxed and enjoyed Batman kicking a**.”
ξ