LAPD, theaters get ready for 'Straight Outta Compton'

(FOX 11/AP) Unprecedented security was in place for the "Straight Outta Compton" film premiere.

Invited guests had to navigate various barricades and pass through metal detectors before picking up their tickets for Monday night's world premiere at the Microsoft Theatre at LA Live.

Universal Pictures, which will release the film nationwide Friday, did not say what prompted the additional security measures. The move follows various attacks at cinemas this summer, including a June shooting in Louisiana, a hatchet attack this month in Tennessee and an incident Monday involving a leaf-blower at a theater in Newport Beach, California.

Uniformed Los Angeles police officers maintained a visible presence outside the "Compton" premiere and its after-party next door. The film shows the origins of rap group N.W.A. and their seminal 1988 album, "Straight Outta Compton."

From Hal Eisner:

It's 1:30 p.m. at the Regal Theaters Downtown at LA Live and three buses filled with moviegoers pull up filled with USC football players and staff. The team arrived for a special showing of "Straight Outta Compton."

What was their reaction as they walked out? It was mostly good. No bad reviews. A few thumbs-up. Some comments were made like "it was great." For many of them, it was a touchdown. Word on the street is it's a pretty good film. It involves gangs and anti-police sentiments from a time when the rap group NWA was forming.

LAPD will be out with officers patrolling streets around theaters showing the movie.

Commander Andy Smith says it's necessary for two reasons.

"One is we've seen attacks at theaters across the country." And, he says no one wants to see that here.

"The second reason is a movie like this will bring out different folks, different gang factions who might want to go to the same theater (and) might show up at the same theater (at the) same time and that's always a bad mix when you have different gang members at the same place at the same time," Smith added.

Universal Pictures declined to give specifics but plans to offer support to exhibitors showing the film. Sources indicate that could come in the form of reimbursement to exhibitors for hiring extra security during the launch of the film.

A Universal spokesperson did tell us: "The film has been seen by thousands of people at hundreds of screenings, all of which have happened without incident."

Bonnie Broadus says she thinks the extra security is needed. Kendra Wiggins feels the same and says she's concerned about safety. Moviegoer Von Magevonna added, "I'm pretty sure it would be wise the extra precaution. It could be needed."

Delano Johnson, Sr. remembers back to when NWA formed and the themes of their music of how "police were no good."

It was in their music and the era they came from and it created a lot of hatred," Johnson, Sr. said.

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