Did anybody actually see this in a theater?

Yes I did and I enjoyed it until the final act. The newborn thing is as an unpleasant misfire but there’s still lots to love about it. Especially the ultra-Jeunet visual style.

Couldn’t tell you how many people were in the cinema. Who remembers such things 23 years later?

I did. And i thought it was great

I did.
The theatre was packed. I thought it was alright, but like others was unimpressed with the newborn

I did too, but I was in grade school at the time. I don't remember much about it, frankly, except that I think I liked it and found it mostly cool and fun. Subsequent viewings did not hold up, however, and I find very little to like anymore. I don't like the visual style, I hate the chunky blood, and the human hybrid was a bad idea. I liked the pirate team OK, but even then they could have been better, with the exception of the leader and Ron Pearlman.

Sure did. I recall being grossed out and disappointed. But, over the years, I've come to appreciate it more. I'm watching it now and I'm still grossed out at some parts, like the opening scene and the general picking his brain.

I saw it opening weekend at an AMC 20 theater, it was packed. At the time I thought the ending with the Newborn kinda sucked and the movie ran out of steam.

Yeah , one of them old stylee proper cinemas before "Multiplexes" took over .