The Dark Knight Rises at the Box Office Despite Shooting

Sometimes, the world needs to stop in order for us to place things in perspective. Christopher Nolan’s epic conclusion to his Batman franchise was supposed to embody all of the mystical elements that lure us to the theater for a collective spectacle of awe. It was expected to compete with the record setting 207 million the Avenger’s garnered during its opening weekend. We’ll never truly know how the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado might have affected the final numbers. But at the end of the day, it’s only money and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the slaughter. We won’t give the suspect the publicity he craves by mentioning his name.

Despite it all, TDKR pulled in 162 million dollars, a feat only five other films – Including its predecessor- have achieved during an opening weekend. It’s good to see that the actions of one deranged individual aren’t stopping people from enjoying the one true, beautiful, American art form.

Words can never express the suffering and horror plaguing the citizens of Aurora, but we wish them well in their recovery. If Batman stands for anything at all, it is that great things can come out of dire tragedies. Here’s hoping for a positive, cultural response.

~M3 Staff~