On this dark night, 'The Dark Knight' prevails

VIRGINIA BEACH

A long, dark night was worth it for the bleary-eyed fans who took in the latest Batman sequel on South Hampton Roads’ lone IMAX screen.

Fans raved early this morning as they streamed out of the much-heralded sequel in the latest remake of the famed comic character. “The Dark Knight” filled each of the 284 seats at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – and few grumbles were heard when it was finished at nearly 2:30 a.m.

“Worth it,” said Travis Rickman, a 20-year-old freshman at Tidewater Community College. “Worth sleeping for less than an hour and going to work.”

Some fans wondered whether a movie that has already been declared a success – and has talk of at least one Oscar – could live up to the hype.

“Oh yeah,” said Vincent Aftanas, 20, who dressed up as the Joker, complete with green hair and face paint. “It met and exceeded expectations.”

Seeing the movie on an IMAX screen six stories high didn’t hurt, especially because “The Dark Knight” is the first major movie to be partially filmed with IMAX cameras.

Add to that the camaraderie of seeing the movie in the wee hours of the morning with the type of rabid fans who would see the movie in the wee hours of the morning.

“Everyone’s enjoying it,” said Mickel Sanchez, 19, of Virginia Beach. “Together.”