"Los Angeles Times" reported:
"This is obviously not the first time, and certainly not the last. The only thing we can be 100% sure of is that it's rare—at the premiere of a commercial film, the audience erupted into thunderous applause after the screening. After all, we aren't at the Toronto Film Festival.
Yet, that's exactly what happened.
After the premiere of Catch Me If You Can, starring Anson Wood and Tom Hanks, the audience at the Chinese Theatre gave a standing ovation lasting for five minutes."
Clap.
Clap! Clap!
At the end of the film, it's unclear who was the first to stand, but soon, multiple people rose, and the applause quickly swept through the venue like a tidal wave.
As Anson, Tom, Steven Spielberg, and other key members of the crew stood and took the stage for a Q&A, the energy in the room skyrocketed, releasing an incredible wave of enthusiasm that almost lifted the roof off the theater.
"TMZ" reported:
"Everything was utterly chaotic. Hollywood Boulevard was already completely blocked off, with no vehicles allowed to pass. But strangely, a nearby street set off an alarm that alerted the LAPD.
Upon investigation, officers confirmed that the noise inside the theater had grown so intense that it accidentally set off the police motorcycles parked outside. Fortunately, the area was empty, and the situation was quickly handled without causing further disruption."
It was a comical incident.
Even though it was just a minor interlude, seasoned paparazzi were stunned. TMZ, which had gained traction over the past six months, provided an in-depth report. Compared to written accounts, the little story by TMZ better captured the astonishing reception and lingering energy of the premiere of Catch Me If You Can.
And yet, it wasn't over.
Roars.
Cheers.
The enthusiasm kept rising, with whistles, screams, and shouts mixing into the applause. The premiere had turned into a fan meeting.
"Entertainment Weekly" commented:
"I felt like I accidentally walked into a Backstreet Boys concert."
In 2002, Twilight had not yet been released, Justin Bieber had not yet made his debut, and K-pop boy band BTS had not yet taken over the world.
But by then, the fierce competition between Backstreet Boys and NSYNC had already signaled the global takeover of idol culture. The age of "looks over everything" had quietly arrived.
Clearly, Entertainment Weekly's comparison of the premiere to a Backstreet Boys concert was a small surprise. They didn't foresee that the music industry's idol craze would soon invade film and television, and more and more "celebrity entertainers" would enter the public eye.
Yet, judging from the scene that night, Entertainment Weekly wasn't exaggerating.
The passion, the frenzy, the chaos—it almost spun out of control.
"The Hollywood Reporter" later noted:
"The five-minute applause was relentless, showing no signs of stopping, to the point where the post-screening Q&A couldn't even begin—until Anson finally stood up.
Anson made a simple conductor's gesture to signal a pause, and miraculously, the roaring wave of excitement quieted down. This moment, paired with the initial uproar, showcased the unparalleled influence of the actor, who had just turned twenty last month."
When the storm finally subsided, a woman in the theater screamed in disbelief.
"Anson, I love you!"
In response, Anson spread his arms and gracefully accepted the confession, causing the audience to erupt again, nearly shaking the theater.
This was probably the most chaotic night the Chinese Theatre had ever faced.
Even reputable outlets like TMZ and Entertainment Weekly couldn't resist the whirlwind of excitement at the premiere.
And, The Hollywood Reporter went further in their coverage:
They deemed Anson's role in Catch Me If You Can perfect—
Not only did it showcase Anson's charm as an actor, but it proved that even if he were just a "pretty face," he had undeniable charisma. Through his character, the audience could feel his struggles and growth, making them resonate deeply, solidifying Anson's presence as an actor.
The movie's success was undeniably tied to Anson.
"After the mixed reviews of Minority Report, Steven Spielberg has delivered a flawless answer, reaffirming his directorial brilliance."
The Hollywood Reporter's detailed coverage didn't just stop at gossip but used it as a springboard for a broader analysis.
Meanwhile, The New York Times took a different approach:
"In the movie, Christmas Eve holds special significance, and DreamWorks deliberately chose Christmas Eve for the film's first public screening. The connection between the story and reality broke the fourth wall, allowing the audience to feel the warmth of the movie's message, especially by the time the ending arrived.
After the post-screening Q&A, the crew organized a special event—a random audience member was selected, and Anson personally escorted them home, delivering a Christmas gift as a gesture to prove the existence of Christmas miracles.
Unexpectedly, this small event became the highlight of the night.
Anson explained that the event was meant to tie into the film's theme—just as Frank Abagnale Jr. (the film's protagonist) longs for family warmth, in real life, Anson would escort the lucky audience member home to reunite with their family on this special Christmas Eve.
However, Anson Wood's appeal was clearly underestimated, as was the draw of Catch Me If You Can and DreamWorks.
Before the seat number was even announced, the theater was overwhelmed by screams, cheers, and tears, plunging the venue into an atmosphere straight out of a movie. After the winner was announced, envious eyes turned the theater into scorched earth, and the premiere ended at the height of its frenzy."
Of course, that wasn't all. The New York Times further analyzed why—
From The Princess Diaries to Spider-Man to Catch Me If You Can, how Anson Wood, in just three films, became the heartthrob of all of North America.
It wasn't just the movies but the characters and the writing that laid the foundation for Anson's meteoric rise.
From mere words, it's impossible to capture even one percent of the intensity of the premiere's chaos. Still, the vivid descriptions painted a scene that sparked the imagination of readers everywhere.
Some regretted missing the premiere, others envied those who witnessed the magic, some couldn't wait to see the movie, while others grumbled that it was all just hype.
The one undeniable truth was the buzz.
The Catch Me If You Can premiere made a powerful debut, effortlessly capturing the attention of millions of families on Christmas Eve.
And the next day, on Christmas itself, aside from opening presents, what everyone cared about most was:
How was the reception for Catch Me If You Can?
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