Naperville's New IMAX Theater Provides Super-Sized Thrills

Faces were blue but spirits were soaring at AMC Showplace 16 in Naperville on Thursday night.

A sold-out crowd of 283 gathered for a free screening of Megamind on the theater's brand-new IMAX screen. Those in line got their tickets through friends, the YMCA and other promotional give-aways. Fredy Rodriguez's mom won his ticket from KISS 103.5 FM.

Rodriguez was third in line for the movie, which started around 6:30 p.m.

"I got here around 5 p.m.," the 10-year-old said. "I'm getting the whole experience."

Rodriguez, who lives in Joliet, was treated to a t-shirt, an oversized pencil, a mask and an IMAX button, and he had his face and hands painted. Hundreds of children stood in line to get their faces painted during the hour-and-a-half wait for the show.

Three lines formed to enter the theater. Surya Kalavagunta, 39, stood in the back of the second line with his 7-year-old son. They were pleasantly surprised to learn they were entering an IMAX theater.

"We had to go to the one in Woodridge before," Kalavagunta said. "We'll absolutely be visiting here."

Naperville Mayor George Pradel said Naperville will get a certain portion of tax revenue from the theater, but did not estimate the direct economic impact of the new screen. The mayor's focus at the event was about the new diversion offered to the city.

"It offers entertainment that's really super right here in the city," Pradel said. "We get to enjoy the modern technology of the cinema."

Moviegoers who live outside Naperville also were excited about the new IMAX location. Steve Christie, of Plainfield, used to drive to the IMAX on Route 53. He said the drive to AMC Showplace 16 is less than half that distance for him.

"It's a straight shot down Route 59," Christie said. "I think it's great."

Christie brought his four children — ages 8, 12, 13 and 14 — to the show. When asked if they were excited about the movie, Christie's children all shook their heads vigorously up and down.

While many patrons said they've been to an IMAX before, Pradel said he'd never seen a movie on an IMAX screen. While he was excited to cut the ribbon and enjoy the film, Pradel was more enthusiastic about a movie that offers heroes to children.

"I like Superman, but it runs along the same line," the mayor said. "All of us have to have some image that we not worship, but look up to as a role model."