Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘Last Jedi’ premieres to cheers, early praise
There were cheers, gasps, droid photo opportunities, casino games and more than a few standing ovations at the jampacked world premiere Saturday night in Los Angeles of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” which many are already praising online.
Rian Johnson, the writer and director of the eighth installment of 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, whom 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 lights dimmed and the yellow “Star Wars” logo and iconic scrawl appeared on screen to signal the start of the 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 Friday release.
J.J. Abrams, who directed 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and will return to direct “Episode IX,” told The Associated Press that the film was “great” and that “Rian killed it.”