'Star Wars: Last Jedi' gets early raves: 'I'm still shaking'
Rian Johnson's "Jedi" wins early praise for its action and appearance. But the film's got depth, many say, with one viewer noting an "emotional payoff decades in the making."
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Daisy Ridley returns as Rey in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."
Those lucky enough to see "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" before its official opening next week shared impressions on social media Saturday night after the world premiere in Hollywood.
And Star Wars fans, you can breathe again. First reactions are crazy-good.
Let's start the roll call with CNET's own Ashley Esqueda, who gets right to the point.
STAR WARS: I LOVED IT THE END
— 🎙🤖.ashley.🕹🍿 (@AshleyEsqueda) December 10, 2017
Those who saw the film praised it on multiple levels, with kudos for the action and "gorgeous" shots. But bring some Kleenex, as the excitement reportedly melds with the kind of emotional depth fans expect from such an epic franchise. This is all good news for fans who long to feel the disappointment of the prequels recede further and further into outer space.
Guys. @rianjohnson has made the most epic, emotionally powerful @starwars film ever. Hands down. My strong advice is to be very wary of spoilers. The less you know about #TheLastJedi, the better. Bravo, bravo, bravo.
— Clayton Sandell (@Clayton_Sandell) 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.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) December 10, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is everything. Intense, funny, emotional, exciting. It’s jam-packed with absolutely jaw dropping moments and I loved it so, so much. I’m still shaking. pic.twitter.com/fHddWjo201
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 10, 2017
Luke was right: "This is not going to go the way you think." #TheLastJedi will shatter you - and then make you whole again. pic.twitter.com/PJyYpH5loP
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) December 10, 2017
#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
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) 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
Cannot overestimate just how gorgeous this film is. I salute you @rianjohnson - some of these shots are all-timers and then some
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) 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
#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
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
I'll have a #TheLastJedi reaction for you in about 6 or 7 years after I can finally process and unpack everything I just saw
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) December 10, 2017
Last Jedi has more twists and turns than any other episode, and Kylo and Rey’s characters develop so much. Great Star Wars film.
— J. Kenji López-Alt (@kenjilopezalt) December 10, 2017
I am ignoring all the positive talk about The Last Jedi. *sits on comically overstuffed suitcase labelled "expectations", trying to close it*
— Jamie McKelvie (@McKelvie) December 10, 2017
Star John Boyega, who plays Finn, almost didn't make it to the LA premiere due to bad weather in Atlanta. He ended up making it in time (minus his luggage), but the events led to some fun tweets between Boyega and other Star Wars cast and crew.
Hahahaha oh my god
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) December 9, 2017
GET HERE JOHN!
Roger that! BB-8 PUNCH IT!!!
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 9, 2017
Only fly with Harrison on green-screen, son. #FatherlyAdvice
— @HamillHimself (@HamillHimself) December 9, 2017
"The Last Jedi" opens worldwide Dec. 14.
