Clearview Moviegoers Not Afraid to See Batman Film

It hasn't been 24 hours since a gunman wearing a gas mask and body armor opened fire, killing 12 and wounding 59 people at a Friday midnight show of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo. But it doesn't appear that the tragedy is keeping Batman cineastes from seeing Christian Bale's final turn as billionaire Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, the moody caped crusader.

Moviegoers at Parsippany's Friday evening told Patch that while they were horrified by the loss of life in Colorado, they weren't going to let the incident keep them from seeing the blockbuster film.

"I wasn't worried," said J.P. Hepburn, 21, of Denville. "There aren't that many crazy people in this area."

His younger brother, 16-year-old Jake, wasn't even aware that the Colorado shooting had taken place.

"Wow, that's crazy," he said.

J.P. Hepburn said that while the Aurora massacre was a terrible event, he wasn't worried for his safety at the Clearview Cinemas.

"I was worried that the movie would be sold out because of its popularity," he said, "but not about the shooting."

, however, took no chances.

Chief Anthony DeZenzo told Patch there would be x to ensure that public safety was protected.

Indeed, during our visit to the Clearview, a staffed patrol officer was on alert in the parking lot, and Officer Matthew Ruggier was inside the theater to keep the peace.

Ruggier said his presence was not related to the shooting—there usually is an officer on duty in the theater.

Many parents were present with their children and uninterested in talking about the Colorado shooting around kids, but none looked particularly concerned as they stood in line to get tickets to see the Batman film and other popular offerings including "Ice Age: Continental Drift" and "The Amazing Spider-Man."

One patron said in passing that the shootings were "horrific" and a cause for concern, but that people should not be in fear.

And Landi Simone of Montville wasn't concerned about the massacre at all.

"Worried? No, I'm not worried," she said, adding that her concern was that her date had not yet arrived.

Asked why she was coming out to see "The Dark Knight Rises," Simone laughed.

"I love the movies!" she exclaimed.

Clearview's screening times for the Batman film and other movies now playing can be found on the cinemas' website.