The Red Carpet Experience

London premieres lots of big films. Throughout the summer producers bring their stars and publicity machines to Leicester Square, rent a cinema, slap down the red carpet and throw a big party to publicise their film. This week I was invited (by my friend Lucien) to one of the year's biggest premieres - The Dark Knight Rises.

It was a surreal experience. Leicester Square, newly reopened after years of renovation work, was transformed into a crowd control system focussed on the centre of the square, in which a three metre tall model of Batman's mask had been constructed. Security guards and fences held back several thousand cheerful fans who took photos and screamed happily at the actors and celebrities as they paraded past.

Large screens showed clips from the movie and interviews with the stars, shot in Leicester Square on a small stage next to an enormous burning bat symbol. A camouflaged Tumbler (apparently the military variant of Batman's car from The Dark Knight) stood guard on the south east corner of the square. Synchronised gas burners shot flames into the air every few seconds and security guards bellowed at film-goers to keep moving toward the cinema (people on the red carpet were taking photos of the scenery and the crowd).

As befits a film so eagerly anticipated by its adoring fans, the producers had hired two cinemas - the Odeon and the Empire - to ensure that every part of the launch was as big as possible (is it normal to hire two cinemas for a premiere?). Helpful chaps positioned next to the Tumbler checked tickets and directed people along the right branch of the red carpet.

Inside the cinema, after more ticket checks, the seats were pre-loaded with mineral water and chocolate treats (peanut M&Ms in my case). After a brief introduction from the Sky interviewer and the president of Warner Bros UK, the major cast members, the producers and the director trotted up on stage to show their faces. That was as close as we got to the talent, who trooped off after Christopher Nolan's speech to places unknown. Then they screened the film.

In all, a very entertaining evening. Walking down the red carpet through hordes of fans (they were strangely quiet as we passed by, almost as if they were waiting for someone else), some dressed as characters from the film, is a strange experience I shall long remember. I'm fairly sure, having watched the actors work their way through the crowds, that I wouldn't want their job.

And what of the film itself? I enjoyed it. It's maybe not as good as The Dark Knight (which, given Heath Ledger's exceptional performance, was always a risk) but it's entertaining and worth seeing if you like action or superhero movies. It carefully concludes the trilogy's outstanding storylines whilst simultaneously setting the stage for a fourth film (that's all I'm saying about it - you'll have to find out how they do this by watching the film). Recommended.