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PLATTSBURGH — Box office records were shattered this weekend as fans of "The Twilight Saga" piled into movie theaters across the country to sink their teeth into the second installment of the series "New Moon."
The film, an adaptation of the second volume in Stephenie Meyer's fantasy-romance story, crushed the opening-day record for box office ticket sales by grossing $72.7 million Friday alone. The previous record was held by "Dark Knight," which brought in $67.2 million in its first day in July 2008.
"This is our biggest film so far," said Craig Cathers, manager of Cumberland 12 Cinemas in Plattsburgh, which opened in December 2008.
'More loyal'
Cathers has seen crowds line up for the opening of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," but nothing like what he witnessed this weekend. Three midnight showings of "New Moon" early Friday morning were sold out by 9 p.m. Thursday and about 80 people came to a 2:45 a.m. showing.
"People seem to be more loyal to it," he said. "They really understand it. They somehow relate to the werewolves and the vampires."
Comparisons to the "Harry Potter" franchise abound, but Cathers thinks "The Twilight Saga" "might broadcast to an even bigger audience."
All day Friday and Saturday, Twilight fans arrived at Cumberland 12 hours early to ensure they could secure seats.
"It's amazing to see these numbers coming through to see these films," Cathers said. "By far it is going to surpass anything else we've had."
Theme parties
Valerie Bertholf of West Chazy organized a vampire-themed party to celebrate her daughter Helena's 9th birthday Saturday at Cumberland 12 Cinemas.
The seven young girls wore makeup to make it look as though a vampire had sunk fangs into their necks.
"It's a 'New Moon' party and we've all been bit," Valerie said. "This was a special movie that (Helena) wanted to see."
Valerie said the movie was "hair raising" and "intense," although she felt it finished too abruptly.
"I wanted more," she said.
Helena was focused more on the characters than the film's ending.
"I like the vampires," Helena said. "I like Edward. I think he's cute."
'Teenage thing'
Sharon Waldenmaier of Mooers brought her two daughters, Heather, 16, and Holly, 12, to Plattsburgh Saturday afternoon to see the film.
"I think they're all caught up in the vampire phenomena," Sharon said, adding that she too enjoyed the newest film installment of the series. "They were begging me to get here at midnight (Thursday), but that wasn't happening."
Heather has read the entire "Twilight" series of books, which are inspired by classic works of literature, such as "Pride & Prejudice" and "Romeo and Juliet." She has been waiting anxiously for the release of "New Moon."
"After 'Twilight,' I went online to find out when (the rest of the movies) were all coming out."
Heather said that many young people are excited to see the film and there has been a lot of talk about the movie on Facebook.
"I think it's more of a teenage thing," Heather said.
No matter who is watching it, the ladies of the Waldenmaier family say "New Moon" is an even better film than "Twilight," the first installment. Heather already considers it one of her favorite movies, even over the Harry Potter series.
"I thought it was great and followed the book really well," she said. "Sometimes they'll do a movie on a book and the movie will be way off."
Targets women
Sharon was captivated by the emotional struggle of Bella Swan, the central character of the film who is in love with Edward Cullen, who happens to be a century-old vampire, but looks like a 17-year-old.
"The chemistry between the two of them is what's so special," she said. "I couldn't imagine being in such a position."
Regardless of the widespread interest in "New Moon," Sharon thinks the film is primarily marketed to women.
"It's more of a chick flick," she said.
Jonathan Lustenader, 26, of Plattsburgh agreed.
"It's targeted more toward women," said Lustenader, who acknowledged that the number of shirtless men in the film could turn off potential male viewers. "But it's not completely ignoring what guys want to see either."
Lustenader, who was waiting in line Saturday afternoon to see "New Moon" with his wife, LeeAnn, and his sister Shanna Lustenader, enjoyed the first film in the series and was hopeful that the second would be even more enjoyable.
Following books
Leeann Lustenader read the entire "Twilight Saga" in a matter of a few months and thinks the first film was not as good as the novel.
"I love (the books)," Leeann said. "I'm hoping this one follows the book better."
While watching the first film, Shanna Lustenader, 24, was disappointed that young girls would scream during each shot of a shirtless vampire and was hopeful that it would not continue this time around.
Screaming girls
However, reports from media outlets across the country indicate that the shrieks of approval might be even louder this weekend.
"The screaming is a little annoying," said Shanna, who has also read each novel. "It would be better if they read the books rather than scream over the pretty boys on the screen."
Leeann and Shanna said they know people in their mid-20s who enjoy the "Twilight" franchise, but choose to hide it.
"That's because we don't want to be associated with the screaming girls in the theater," Shanna said.
When she discovered "The Twilight Saga" a year ago, Shanna was cynical about it.
"It seemed ridiculous but everyone like it. So I thought I'd read it and I love it."
Now, Shanna admits, she is deeper into the franchise than she ever imagined.
"I have some ('Twilight') t-shirts," she said. "But I only wear them to bed."
Cathers met two women this weekend who have already watched the film four times.
Still, he wonders about the film's staying power, as Hollywood speeds up the time it takes a film to be released on DVD.
"I am very curious to see how it plays out," Cathers said. "After this first week, the publicity for this movie is going to die off. So (Hollywood) wants to get everything they can right now and smash all the records now. If it stays for the third and fourth week, that's more bang out of our buck."
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