As we saw over the weekend, the youth of America are not only enthusiastic about movies they have been anticipating for months and months, but they are incredibly huge dorks. It’s a rare occurrence, but every now and then, there is a movie sequel that comes out that fans are so enthused about, they are determined to go see the movie opening night–dressed up as their favorite characters.
Folks, this isn’t Halloween. We know you really, really like Batman, but you look like a fool. What is worse is that now I can’t see over your stupid cowl or your oompa-loompa green wig. But let’s not pick on just The Dark Knight crowd. Any movie that has some sort of a cult following will inevitably have those cult members go out in public and declare their cult membership by dressing up as Gandalf the wizard.
What is it in the human psyche that makes people need to do this? Do they think it will enhance their movie experience? Do people really think that if they are in line Thursday night for the midnight screening of the movie, that they need to do anything further to show their status as a fan?
I think perhaps it is the intense need to dress up. Now and then, we all like roll playing. For example, right now, I am playing the arrogant columnist who is utterly devoid of sympathy for people I cannot understand. Some people play the roles their jobs require of them, then they switch into the roles they are assigned in their family unit. Then there are those who seem to need attention when they express their enthusiasm for such events.
I can only compare these people to extreme forms of those people you see at concerts wearing the band’s T-shirt. They can be of any age, are usually male, and like to state the obvious through wardrobe. (“As if my presence here does not show enough my love for this band, I am going to wear a shirt I bought from their last tour!”)
There are not many movie franchises (I say “franchises” because everything is a trilogy these days) that I get really, really excited about. Sure, I enjoy seeing Spider-Man, and I’m looking forward to the next Transformers movie, but I am not preparing an Optimus Prime costume for next year.
You will never see me dress up for a movie premier, that is unless one movie ever has a sequel, but I know it will not.
You stay classy, San Diego.