East Aurora, N.Y. (WBEN) - Inside the Aurora Theatre Thursday evening, applause erupted as the opening scene of A Quiet Place Part II showed on the big screen.
It was a serene shot of Main Street in Akron that drew the applause from a crowd of a couple hundred anxious movie fans, including about 80 local extra actors from the much anticipated film.
Throughout the film you could hear the excited chatter from extras spotting themselves in the movie in locations like Akron, North Tonawanda and Olcott where the thriller movie was filmed.
"I saw my head in there a few times….it's hard to catch yourself," extra Tammy Meidenbauer told WBEN after the movie opening. "We really had no idea how it was going to all come together."
The movie got immediate rave reviews as many remained in their seats to read the extensive credits. "A ten for sure," said Meidenbauer in rating the movie.
The movie opening, delayed a year due to the COVID pandemic, was as much a symbol of the emergence from being locked-down as it was a celebration of the fact the film was largely shot in Western New York.
Lynn Kinsella, owner of the theatre, noted she usually isn't able to watch the movies while working but found a way to take in A Quiet Place Part II, saying it was a benchmark event for her business.
"Everyone is just having such fun being back at the movies."
ABC entertainment reporter Jason Nathanson says there's a lot riding on the release of A Quiet Place II. "It's the start of the Summer movie season, the first big weekend at the box office. The Summer months are the biggest money-making time for Hollywood.
Nathanson notes that streaming worked for many of them, but they need films in theaters and for people to see the films in theaters.
A Quiet Place II is only available in theaters. It's not attached to any kind of streaming service.
