Saturday night was the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Not only did Disney spare no expense for the event, they also filled the red carpet with a parade of famous names and members of the Star Wars family.
#TheLastJedi returns to the red carpet. Hi, @HamillHimself! pic.twitter.com/T9awKdVZfd
— Star Wars (@starwars) December 10, 2017
The Force is Strong. @starwars: #TheLastJedi World Premiere! @rianjohnson #DaisyRidley pic.twitter.com/OhFt7Po8ce
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) December 10, 2017
The real treat, though, seemed to be the movie itself. The reaction to The Last Jedi should please fans of the franchise. According to those in attendance, Rian Johnson has crafted a film that reminds people of The Empire Strikes Back while going in very different directions.
Johnson received his fair share of praise following the event, including this nod from director James Mangold:
Massive congrats to my friend @rianjohnson for the dazzling writing and directing work he shared tonight! Yes, a great chapter of a blockbuster franchise, spectacular and unpredictable, but also his own voice shining through… kudos!
— Mangold (@mang0ld) December 10, 2017
But it is the critical reaction that most were dying to hear. Is this the best Star Wars ever? Is it a lackluster nostalgia trip? Judging from most of the early critical takes, the film might end up being an instant classic for the franchise.
#TheLastJedi is absolutely fantastic – gripping, touching, funny and powerful w/ gorgeous shots and the most badass battles. When it gets going, holy crap does it get going. Hands down the best #StarWars movie since Empire pic.twitter.com/nWWAhlNMJo
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017
Cannot overestimate just how gorgeous this film is. I salute you @rianjohnson – some of these shots are all-timers and then some
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017
While Johnson got some standout praise, critics also lauded the film for its action sequences, character work, and surprising moments. Most urge everybody to avoid spoilers for as long as possible, pointing to the twists that seem to make The Last Jedi a distinct experience from the other films. If The Force Awakens was a rehash for some, this seems to be the Star Wars film people have been waiting for.
Also, it would seem that Mark Hamill gives the best performance of the series as Luke Skywalker. That alone should be worth avoiding spoilers.
I can’t believe The Last Jedi exists. @rianjohnson is a madman and I love him for it. He takes Star Wars to the edge and throws it over. What a crazy, awesome movie. We’ll be talking about this one for a long, long time.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 10, 2017
There aren’t enough words to express how much I LOVED #StarWars #TheLastJedi! It is mind-blowing! I’m in geek heaven! pic.twitter.com/unXfYMkIle
— Jenna Busch-Henderson (@JennaBusch) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/RearEchelon/status/939737045173379072
There will be nitpicks, but #TheLastJedi is an excellent #StarWars movie.
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 10, 2017
#TheLastJedi is incredibly satisfying and hands down Mark Hamill's best performance as Luke Skywalker
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) December 10, 2017
THE LAST JEDI has more goosebump moments than any Star Wars movie I can remember. I was grinning for most of the 2 and a half hours. A worthy and great Star Wars film. The franchise is in great hands. Kudos to @rianjohnson
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 10, 2017
I am STUNNED by #StarWars #TheLastJedi. I gasped, I laughed, I screamed, I cried and I had the time of my life. Rian Johnson pulled it off, making what might be the best Star Wars movie ever. pic.twitter.com/0VE5M90dsH
— Joshua Yehl (@JoshuaYehl) December 10, 2017
The Last Jedi is incredible. Character at the forefront, amazing action and so so so much emotional payoff decades in the making. I will be watching this one a lot. pic.twitter.com/KVOjLhwk27
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) December 10, 2017
Impressed with #StarWars: #TheLastJedi. It makes some big, impressive and surprising moves that I definitely didn't expect. Not all of the plot stuff is exactly perfect, but the character work is once again fantastic, and it's just amazing to see Luke Skywalker back in action.
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/jowrotethis/status/939749772423864321
#StarWars #TheLastJedi is bonkers. I honestly don’t have any words. It’s jam packed and full of surprises. Avoid spoilers at all costs!
— Rachel Heine ✨ (@RachelHeine) December 10, 2017
There’s a scene in #StarWars #TheLastJedi that I keep playing over and over in my head, that is so stunning and unexpected that I don’t want to forget how I felt seeing it for the first time. This movie feels unlike any other Star Wars movie in all the ways I hoped. pic.twitter.com/zlDW4yOjp2
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/Breznican/status/939739118900191233
https://twitter.com/kylebuchanan/status/939741521435246592
#StarWars: The Last Jedi is so beautifully human, populist, funny, and surprising. I cried when one POC heroine got her moment because films like these leave their mark on entire generations — and representation matters
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/JimViscardi/status/939733482917445632
Still freaking out over this humongous AT-M6 Walker. And over the insane action sequences in #TheLastJedi. 👏👏 #starwars #premiere pic.twitter.com/e2vK5X1efu
— Carly Mallenbaum (@ThatGirlCarly) December 10, 2017
THE LAST JEDI: A little too long & dragged in the middle, but great fun overall! As good as The Force Awakens; Rogue One is better! More humor than expected, great #StarWars moments, #MarkHamill is awesome! A worthy Episode VIII pic.twitter.com/HHihSa788D
— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) December 10, 2017
It’s AMAZING. Just amazing. Have a lot to process, but WOW. #lastjedi
— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) December 10, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a triumph. So many big moments, so much emotion, so much to digest. Had the whole crowd cheering and woah’ing.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) December 10, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is so very different, exciting, surprising. So many emotions, so many amazing moments. Stay away from spoilers.
— /Film (@slashfilm) December 10, 2017
There was one slight spoiler released from the premiere, but only if you’re a stickler who lives under a rock. The film pays tribute to Carrie Fisher during the end credits, giving you an excuse to stay in your seat.
The Last Jedi end credits include a dedication ‘To Our Princess Carrie Fisher.’
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) December 10, 2017
Overall, the best tweet to sum up the reactions to The Last Jedi might be this gif posted by comedian Mark Ellis:
I just saw THE LAST JEDI pic.twitter.com/WV94lzsbhF
— Mark Ellis (@markellislive) December 10, 2017
Friday clearly can’t arrive fast enough.