Scholastic Kid Reporters Jamie Sanders (right) and Juliette Kessler take a minute to relax before heading into the crowds awaiting the arrival of Tom Cruise at the Ziegfield Theater in New York City on May 3, 2006. Get caught up in the action! Check out a slideshow of our Kid Reporters covering the Mission Impossible III premieres. (Photo: Jen Boggs)

Wednesday, May 3—The excitement at the new Mission Impossible movie premiere today was generated by about 2,000 people crowded between two metal barricades set up in front of the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.

What a zoo! Since there was only room for one Scholastic reporter on the red carpet, I did a reconnaissance mission that was possible. I interviewed fans waiting for a glimpse of stars Tom Cruise, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kerri Russell, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

My first encounter was with Victoria, age 12, who had won tickets to the movie. The problem she faced was that although they only gave away a few hundred tickets, thousands had showed up hoping to get in. She hoped (at least) to see Tom Cruise. I wished her luck and continued on.

I next met 30-year-old Phil, who had also won tickets. He really wanted to see Katie Holmes and the baby (who were safe back in California). He also hoped he could get in to see the movie.

Next up were Tribeca Film Festival volunteers Diana and Daniel, who have been helping out for the past few festivals. They've gotten in to see most of the premieres, but highly doubted they could see this one.

"It looks like a pretty big crowd!" Diana remarked. I think that "pretty big" was putting it lightly!

Diana is also hoping to see the upcoming Poseidon premiere.

Officer Martinez was too busy guarding the line to talk. He was doing a good job, so I got out of his way.

Dennis the security guard told me he was an old hand at working the red carpet. He worked red carpet lines for Bewitched, Wallace and Grommit, and War of the Worlds (another Cruise flick).

At 7:40 p.m., Cruise arrived. He stood with star Laurence Fishburne on top of his black humvee, yelling and waving at his fans. I went home and passed out on the couch.