Unbelievable!
Before the release of Catch Me If You Can, the media already predicted that the movie might cause a frenzy—after all, the overwhelming popularity of Spider-Man was still fresh in people's minds. But to be honest, the September release of a James Franco-led film turned out to be more of a media event than a blockbuster, which led many to lower their expectations for Anson's performance this time around.
However…
The premiere was a total explosion—
Regardless of the critics' reviews, the audience collectively lost their minds.
The frenzy that followed dwarfed both Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which were also holiday releases this year. It wasn't even close. The opening night of Catch Me If You Can was on a completely different level of excitement.
"I love it, I love it, I absolutely freaking LOVE this movie."
"Who could possibly resist Anson Wood? I know I can't."
"It was incredible. Way better than I expected. I went in with low expectations, but the movie blew my mind. A legendary experience, but more importantly, an amazing film."
"Wow! I admit I was biased, thinking biopics are usually boring, award-bait movies. But Catch Me If You Can was so entertaining, a total delight. Honestly, Anson was flawless in this film."
"So good. So, so good. It's the must-watch movie of Christmas, not just this year—this is one I could watch every Christmas."
Fox TV was ahead of the print media, sending a crew to cover the premiere live at the Theatre. After the success of their summer coverage of Spider-Man and Star Wars: Episode II, they hoped to replicate that buzz.
And once again, their gamble paid off—
The unfiltered excitement on people's faces, caught on camera without any script or rehearsal, was the most direct evidence of the audience's reaction to the movie.
Of course, not everyone loved it. Some weren't as hyped.
But Fox had the power of editing, and they knew exactly what message they wanted to send out.
News must report the facts, but even 100% factual information can be spun depending on how it's arranged and presented. The same raw footage can convey very different messages—
That's the power of media shaping public opinion.
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh!"
A wildly excited person ran past Fox's cameras, then doubled back, jumping up and down in front of the lens, unable to contain themselves, yelling once more:
"AHHHH!"
Then they dashed off.
That scene was more vivid and effective than any elaborate praise, putting the perfect finishing touch on Fox's live report.
The excitement felt through the TV broadcasts, combined with the written hype in magazines and newspapers, created a vivid picture of the premiere's success. Catch Me If You Can easily became the absolute talk of Christmas, dominating conversations in every household.
So—
Is Anson really worth the hype?
Had he pulled off something Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings couldn't? Was he catapulting to the A-list after his summer box-office win?
Hollywood's heart, torn between nervousness, anticipation, jealousy, and excitement, began to race uncontrollably again.
And then—
On Christmas morning.
"Steven, are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I don't care. Let's open presents."
Steven Spielberg smiled broadly at his wife. Not a computer in sight, not even a newspaper.
Having weathered countless storms in Hollywood, the director had developed an unshakable confidence. Even if Catch Me If You Can faced some challenges or pushed his film Minority Report into a tight spot, he wasn't worried.
Christmas is Christmas. Work could wait.
Steven was serious—he didn't care, nor did he need to. Even if Catch Me If You Can didn't perform well, he wasn't concerned about his career.
"Presents! The kids can't wait any longer."
Steven kissed his wife on the forehead and led the way to the living room.
While Spielberg couldn't care less about the media's reaction to the movie,
On the other side of Hollywood, top executives, producers, directors, actors, and screenwriters were frantically flipping through newspapers and refreshing their computers for reviews. No one could ignore the final hot topic of 2002—everyone's attention was glued to the critical consensus of Catch Me If You Can—
They were even more eager than the film's creators.
The buzz of the premiere was one thing; media reviews were another.
Audience adoration is one thing; critical opinion is another.
Everyone knew this, but the hype surrounding Catch Me If You Can was so intense that expectations were quietly soaring even higher.
The reviews—could they live up to the hype?
The Los Angeles Times, 100 out of 100: "A genius performance, but more importantly, a genius production."
There it was!
The first review in sight came out swinging, laying a solid foundation for the movie, and it was from one of the two most influential papers.
Expectations, already sky-high, somehow broke through the ceiling, igniting a frenzy.
Sights & Sounds, 100 out of 100: "Spielberg's brilliance as a producer lies in his perfect casting choices. Cinematography, music, editing, costume design, and art direction come together flawlessly, creating a whirlwind of an immersive experience for viewers.
But the real stroke of genius here is casting Wood as young Frank Abagnale. His charisma fuses perfectly with the character—his vulnerability, boldness, loneliness, youthful energy, struggles, and innocence all come together seamlessly. He brings the story and character to life in a way that makes them utterly convincing, even lovable.
Without a doubt, Wood elevates this film to new heights and endless possibilities.
As incredible as it sounds, in my opinion, Wood is an even better fit for Frank Abagnale than he was for Peter Parker.
Trust me, no one should miss the brilliance of this shining star."
Coming from this top-tier British publication, which holds even more weight than Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, such praise all but sealed the film's critical reception—
And don't forget, this was supposed to be a short review.
Yet Sights & Sounds went on and on, rewriting the rules of what a "short review" could be.
Their stance was crystal clear.