Force is strong
Last Jedi: First reactions
There were cheers, gasps, droid photo opportunities, casino games and more than a few standing ovations at the jam-packed world premiere of
Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Los Angeles, which many are already praising online.
Rian Johnson, the writer and director of the eighth offering in the franchise, dedicated the night to the late Carrie Fisher, who died after filming had completed.
“She’s up there flipping the bird and saying, ‘Don’t bring this night down with solemn tributes’,” Johnson said on stage at the Shrine Auditorium.
It was in that spirit that Johnson excitedly introduced his cast, including Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley and Laura Dern. Hamill and composer John Williams, who Johnson called one of the “greatest living film composers” were among the few who got standing ovations.
“Let’s watch a Star Wars movie!” Johnson exclaimed as the cast took their seats.
The audience laughed and cheered throughout much of the twoand-a-half-hour film.
The elaborate premiere featured a massive assault vehicle and a procession of Stormtroopers and droids that preceded the first showing of the film in advance of its December 15 release. The mood was joyous and pregnant with anticipation for the highly anticipated and guarded film, which sees the return of Hamill’s Luke Skywalker as well as Fisher’s final performance.
Formal reviews won’t be out for a couple of days, but journalists and others at the screening who shared their initial reactions online said The Last Jedi packed the adventure expected in a Star Wars film, but took it into new territory.
JJ Abrams, who directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, said the film was “great” and that “Rian killed it”.
Entertainment Weekly’s Anthony Breznican said the film “will shatter you and then make you feel whole again”.
Many who posted online about the premiere said they were still processing the film.
Attendees at yesterday’s premiere were the first people outside the cast, filmmakers and top executives at Walt Disney Co and Lucasfilm who had seen The Last Jedi.
At the after-party, which was modelled on Canto Bight, a casinobased city in the Star Wars galaxy seen in The Last Jedi, attendees could play blackjack, roulette and craps to win commemorative pins.
Fans at the premiere were also treated to up-close looks at new characters, including an elite squad of guards clad in red armour as well as a collection of droids, including the droids C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8, who walked and rolled down the red carpet before the film’s stars arrived.
“It’s a Star Wars movie, and the energy tonight is pretty amazing,” said a beaming Andy Serkis, who plays the villain Supreme Leader Snoke.
Ridley, who plays Rey, arrived wearing a shimmering dress adorned with stars. Ridley was in good spirits, saying about her dress, “I mean, it’s just fun. It’s fun. And I feel fun. And it’s got stars on it.”
The Last Jedi, which opens in New Zealand on Thursday, is one of the year’s biggest releases.
Early box-office projections are for the movie to debut in the US$200 million ($290m) range for its first weekend.