Fans queue for midnight 'Eclipse'

Christina Lee, right photo, and friends head up the line for the midnight premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse at Fridley Cinema 3 in McCook. Chynna Younger, Fridley Cinema 3 employee, center left photo, changes the marquee in front of the theater. Fans of the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse "teamed up," above, to display their support for the series. A full house of movie goers, top left, get ready for the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse midnight premiere at the Fridley Cinema 3 in McCook. (Justin Bass/McCook Daily Gazette, Dan Stull, courtesy photo)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The anticipation is over. The fans satisfied. The popcorn eaten, and the Eclipse seen.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse midnight premiere at Friday Cinema 3 in McCook had moviegoers waiting in line for hours. Line began forming a little before 9 p.m. for the 12:05 a.m. start time.

"We sold out two weeks ago," said Dan Stull, manager of the Fridley Cinema 3.

The two previous editions of The Twilight Saga, Twilight and New Moon, only sold out less than three hours before show times. The theater sold 166 tickets for the show and less than a half dozen seats were empty by the start of the previews.

"Anticipation is at its best," Stull said. "Other managers say it's the best so far, and that it is still enjoyable without seeing the previous movies."

The theater did take extra precautions for the midnight premiere by bringing in extra employees an hour before opening the doors and making more popcorn.

"Besides the extra employees and popcorn, everything is running normal," Stull said.

With fans waiting for as long as three hours to get their first glimpse at the new film, many came prepared with chairs, books, and even a grill.

"We are 'the free hot dog vendors,' but I accept free will donations," joked Brett Neverve of McCook. Neverve brought the grill to add to the atmosphere of "camping out" for a movie.

Most of the moviegoers had to stay on the sidewalk and line up in front of the other Westview Plaza vendors as the parking lot on the north side of the Plaza was still curing from being repaved.

"Originally the parking lot was supposed to be done by 10 p.m., but the heat from today caused a delay. To be safe, they just barricaded the area," Stull said.

Fans didn't seem too concerned about the parking lot.

"It's annoying, but who cares," said Andrea Shadley of McCook.

"I can't be disappointed," said Christina Lee of McCook. Both Shadley and Lee were in the original group lining up at 9 p.m.

The wait time was minimal in comparison to larger areas where others had to wait in line for twice as long as those in McCook.

"A friend called me and said she had been in line since 4 p.m. to see Eclipse," said Feona Berry of McCook.

While some of those in line were their by choice, one was there as a "replacement."

"I am here in replacement of someone else, but [standing in line] isn't that bad," said Danny Shaw of Selden.

In the end, everyone got their seats.

The movie began on time, and fans agreed, "it looked great."