Glowing First Impressions of the New Star Wars Movie From Select Few Who’ve Seen It

This photo provided by Lucasfilm shows Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams. Lawrence Kasdan co-wrote the screenplay with Abrams. The movie opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. (Film Frame/Lucasfilm via AP)

This photo provided by Disney shows Daisey Ridley as Rey (L) and John Boyega as Finn, in a scene from the new film, "Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie releases in the U.S. on Dec. 18, 2015. (Film Frame/Disney-Lucasfilm via AP)

 

“Among its many wonderful qualities, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS passes the Bechdel test,” tweeted Rebecca Keegan of the L.A. Times. “Story, characters, design, humor -- #StarWars fans, this is the movie you’re looking for.”

Inside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the audience reportedly began cheering the moment the movie’s first words appeared on screen, with more applause coming throughout the movie and collective gasps heard at other parts.

Actor Harrison Ford (L) and director J.J. Abrams attend the after party for the World Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Hollywood Blvd on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

Fans dressed in character wait in the stands at the world premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Daisy Ridley arrives at the world premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

 

“Need to see THE FORCE AWAKENS again to properly judge the film. Was practically shaking in my seat while it played,” wrote Twitter user Frosty of Collider. “Not going to say much till I see it again but rest assured THE FORCE AWAKENS is the best STAR WARS since 1983...maybe 1980.”

“Bombastic! Epic!” exclaimed Twitter user Flaurent Soki. “Now I know what movie going to win for best visual effect! Star Wars The Force Awakens is the revival of a new hope. It was a triumphing success. You’re going to love it. Congrats JJ!”

“#StarWars #TheForceAwakens is propulsive, funny, exciting, and Adam Driver is an incredible new villain,” Wenceslas Bibbiani of Crave Online shared. “It’s mostly great. Mostly.”

The seventh film in the Star Wars universe, and the beginning of a new trilogy, is slated for wide release in U.S. theaters on December 18.