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Star Wars: The Force Awakens First Reactions Show Up Online — What’s the Verdict?

The force is back and bigger than ever! Some very lucky Star Wars fans finally got to see J.J. Abrams‘ highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens during its world premiere in L.A. on Monday, December 14.

Celebrities and critics alike rubbed shoulders on the red carpet, which was at least half a mile long. Stars of the film who attended included John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Harrison Ford, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie.

The cast and crew speak onstage during the World Premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The cast and crew speak on stage during the world premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

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Other guests who snagged a ticket included Star Wars creator George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Sofia Vergara, Joe Manganiello, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jason Bateman, Gina Rodriguez, Elizabeth Banks, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Geena Davis, Jaime King and Jennifer Grey.

Filmmaker George Lucas and writer-director J.J. Abrams attend the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Filmmaker George Lucas and writer-director J.J. Abrams attend the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The star-studded crowd took selfies (Lowe grabbed Fisher and Hamill for one!) and made way for beloved characters such as R2-D2 and C-3PO and for Stormtroopers galore.

John Boyega and Carrie Fisher attend the world premiere of
John Boyega and Carrie Fisher attend the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Mike Windle/Getty Images for Disney

Ford, for his part, was ecstatic to reprise his role as Han Solo and rejoin his costars for the seventh installment. “[I] thought it was a great idea because I needed a job!” he told Us Weekly at the event.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart attend the world premiere of
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart attend the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images

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Christie, meanwhile, was beside herself amid the flashing lights. “[It’s] so overwhelming. How can anyone ever, ever, ever believe that this sort of thing would happen?” the Game of Thrones actress, who plays Captain Phasma in the flick, told Us. “But as clichéd as it may sound, I think it does give a bit of wonderful hope that sometimes those dreams can actually come true.”

Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong'o attend the world premiere of
Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong’o attend the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

As the red carpet came to an end, attendees took their seats for the two-hour feature. The jam-packed fantasy was chock-full of lightsabers, new faces and plenty of nostalgia-charged scenes.

Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac attend the world premiere of
Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac attend the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Check out how the first viewers reacted to the big blockbuster:

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